The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it will continue to work closely with the World Bank on new infrastructure projects under the Marcos administration.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the World Bank group has expressed its openness to offer financial assistance to support new initiatives of the DPWH geared towards the upgrading of roads, improvement of school facilities and water resources, and strengthening of resilience against climate change and natural disasters.
Ndiamé Diop, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, made a recent courtesy visit to Bonoan at the DPWH Central Office which ended in high hopes for the renewed partnership between the Philippine government and the World Bank group.
During the meeting, Emil Sadain, DPWH undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office operations, discussed new potential areas of collaboration between DPWH and the World Bank, particularly the proposed “Infrastructure Development Plan for the Greater Metropolitan Sulu” aimed at reviving the standing of Sulu as a main economic and trade hub not only for Mindanao but for the entire Philippines.
The proposed development plan will improve transportation facilities and address the need for clean water and proper sanitation facilities, create opportunity for the development and promotion of various heritage and tourism potentials, build sustainable communities, and pave the way for the eventual decline of armed conflict due to available and improved economic opportunities.
To attain the objectives of the development plan, DPWH through the National Economic and Development Authority will be requesting assistance from the World Bank to finance the conduct of the master plan, feasibility studies and detailed engineering for the Sulu Mainland Water Supply Project, Jolo Sanitation Development Program, Development of Sulu Circumferential and Transcentral Roads, Urban Renewal Program at Coastal Communities, and improvement of transportation facilities.
Sadain also tackled the earthquake resiliency program for the greater Metro Manila under the World Bank-assisted Philippine seismic risk reduction and resilience project intended to enhance the safety and seismic resilience of selected public buildings in Metro Manila, and the capacity of DPWH to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
This project will involve the conduct of vulnerability and risk assessments on public buildings and subsequent structural improvement if needed.
