The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is pushing its public works offices to speed up infrastructure construction and resolve on-site problems that could hold projects back. The Ministry of Public Works in BARMM (MPW-BARMM) has directed district engineering offices across the region to take a more active role in addressing implementation issues and keeping projects on schedule.
The directive followed a three-day Ministry Performance Assessment Conference in Cagayan de Oro City, where officials examined project accomplishments and operational performance from the 2022 to 2026 reporting period. The review brought together all nine engineering districts to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and reinforce coordination among government offices and contractors.
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Nine Districts Evaluated on Project Performance
Acting Basilan District Engineer Alnaif Ronie Cuevas said regional officials instructed district engineers to intervene more proactively when contractors encounter difficulties in carrying out projects. MPW Minister Arch. Eduard Guerra and Director-General Engr. Danilo Ong stressed the need for district offices to coordinate closely with local government units and contractors to support the timely completion of essential public infrastructure.
The assessment covered the Lanao 1st, Lanao 2nd, Maguindanao 1st, Maguindanao 2nd, Sulu 1st, Sulu 2nd, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Cotabato City engineering districts. Evaluators reviewed physical accomplishments, financial disbursements, road maintenance records, compliance with material quality control standards, and the implementation of projects covered by memorandums of agreement with local government units.
The Basilan District Engineering Office (BDEO) recorded improvements in overall project delivery compared with previous assessment cycles, Cuevas said. Projects funded in 2026 are moving into active construction following recent contract awards, while projects funded in 2025 and earlier fiscal years continue to make progress.
Regional officials also noted that Sulu 1st ranked highest in overall performance but is completing its remaining projects as Sulu transitions out of the BARMM administrative scope. Once the Sulu districts leave the region’s jurisdiction, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi will remain its primary island engineering districts.
Basilan Seeks P1.7 Billion for 2027 Infrastructure
Alongside the performance review, Cuevas disclosed that BDEO has proposed a P1.7-billion allocation for Basilan’s regular infrastructure program under the 2027 budget. The requested amount is intended exclusively for regular infrastructure development across the province, excluding administrative and personnel expenses.
The proposal will undergo formal budget hearings and deliberations before the Bangsamoro Parliament following the appointment of its new members. Cuevas expressed hope that the funding request would be approved to sustain road, bridge and community infrastructure development throughout Basilan.
The proposed allocation remains subject to the budget process, while ongoing projects across BARMM must still meet their implementation targets. The ministry’s push to resolve construction bottlenecks highlights a central public concern: infrastructure funding matters, but its value is ultimately measured by completed roads, bridges and other facilities that communities can use. Faster delivery and closer oversight could help ensure public funds translate into tangible improvements in connectivity and daily life across the region.
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