DPWH, World Bank line up infra projects for Sulu

SULU - Governor Sakur Tan thanked executives of the World Bank and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways who visited the southern province for possible road and water projects initially worth some $50 million. 

DPWH and Sulu provincial government photos show Gov. Sakur Tan with DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain and Achim Fock, the Manila-based World Bank Operations Manager for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, and other officials during an inspection of proposed projects in Jolo town. 

DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain and his team accompanied Achim Fock, the Manila-based World Bank Operations Manager for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, to Sulu for better cooperation and coordination with the provincial government and appropriate offices in the planning and design of various proposed projects. 

“It was a fruitful meeting and we discussed a lot of things, especially the road (project) and the problems on the supply of potable water here. We thanked the World Bank (officials) led by Mr Achim and Undersecretary Sadain and (DPWH) Secretary (Roger) Mercado, and of course, our beloved President Rodrigo Duterte for his continuing support to the province of Sulu and our people,” Tan told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner by phone Monday from his office. 

He said they also discussed the following proposed areas for development and rehabilitation – the 200m³ kilometer four water system; construction of deep well solar powered pump to supply the villages of Bootan, An-nur Unmul Qura, Hassiman , Fisheries, Tulay Zone 3 and other parts of Indanan town; the rehabilitation and upgrading of existing 570 m³ water tank at Gandasuli pumping station with provision of chlorination and filtration, and solar powered water pump; and the revision of new transmission lines from Gandasuli pumping station in Jolo town. 

Tan said the World Bank executives have identified the need to construct a sewerage and water treatment plant in light of the provincial government plan to develop tourism as a prime industry. 

Sadain said initial talks have been made with World Bank officials for financing investment on rehabilitation and upgrading and asset preservation of pavement condition to facilitate road accessibility improvements, and to help address the inadequacy of water supply in Sulu. “With the help of the World Bank, we are looking forward to implementing development infrastructure projects in Sulu as an opportunity to improve social service delivery to reduce poverty and boost peace-building efforts that will help ensure inclusive growth,” he said. 

He added that the initial budgetary projections for possible road and water projects is estimated at $50 million, saying: “This baseline amount will be provided for the improvement and preservation of 162-kilometer Sulu Island Circumferential Road, and to address the problem of lack of access to safe water through provision of water supply and sanitation service.” 

At a risk of becoming structurally deficient, about 40% or 64.8 kilometers of the circumferential road is proposed to undergo upgrading and rehabilitation while asset preservation works on the remaining 60% or 97.2 kilometers will extend the lifespan of road pavement, according to Sadain, chief implementer of Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program. 

The DPWH and the World Bank teams held project discussions with Tan and officials of the Sulu Mainland Water District officials and also conducted on-the-ground field assessment of the operation of existing groundwater supply sources at Camp Asturias (Kiram Spring) Pumping Station in the capital town of Jolo and the water tank in the neighboring town of Patikul. Tan also led the groups to an inspection of the Port of Jolo. 

Sadain, also the DPWH’s focal person for infrastructure projects in the Muslim autonomous region, said it was the first time for a World Bank team to reach Sulu. He also thanked Tan for the hospitality. “Thank you for the warm welcome and reception kah Gov Sakur. Truly, infrastructure being a key driver to the growth of national and local economy knows no boundary that even the island provinces of BARMM like Sulu, Basilan and Tawi tawi should be given top most priority by the government. Thank you so much President Duterte for the Build, Build, Build Program,” he said. 

The visit was coordinated by DPWH Project Manager for Sulu, Barlie Nahudan; and engineers Evangeline Fernando and Eileen Diya; and Sulu District Engineers Ajan Ajijul and Az-zamier Arbison. 

Sadain’s team were composed of Madsmo Hashim, Project Director; engineer Neijam Langa; University Professors Mehol Sadain and Darwin Absari and the World Bank team Madhu Raghunath, Sector Leader for Sustainable Development; Maria Fiorella Fabella, Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist; and Norhana Wakay, consultant. (Mindanao Examiner)