The Department of Finance (DOF) has conducted another round of site inspections of ongoing road projects in Mindanao to ensure that public funds are used efficiently and that projects are completed on time.

The effort is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to ensure that every peso is spent wisely on high-impact infrastructure and that Filipinos benefit from the projects at the soonest possible time.

“Tinitiyak namin sa DOF na bawat pisong buwis ng taumbayan ay makikita at mararamdaman nila. Napupunta ito sa mga proyektong talagang nagpapagaan ng kanilang araw-araw na buhay, gaya ng mga bagong kalsada, tulay, at iba pa,” Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said.

DOF – International Finance Group (IFG) Undersecretary Joven Balbosa and Assistant Secretary Donalyn Minimo conducted a site visit for the Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project (IGCMRSP), together with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

With a total project cost of USD 491.32 million (PHP 27.26 billion), the IGCMRSP seeks to expand the capacity of the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) road network, unlock economic potential, and strengthen peace and order in Mindanao.

The project also prioritizes inclusive mobility by integrating safety features for women, children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities in the improved road transport system.

The project is financed through official development assistance (ODA) from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) amounting to USD 380.00 million (PHP 21,086.2 million), and a government counterpart financing of USD 111.32 million (PHP 6.12 billion).

The DOF visited the R.T. Lim–Siocon Road, a subproject under IGCMRSP, which spans the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte. The 24.6-kilometer (km) road project includes 24.3 km of portland cement concrete pavement and six newly constructed bridges, with a combined length of 430.11 linear meters.

Once completed, the R.T. Lim–Siocon Road will serve as a vital economic artery, directly linking the municipality of R.T. Lim to the town of Siocon. It is expected to revitalize the economy of Region IX by lowering transportation costs, boosting trade, and improving the movement of people and goods.

The subproject is now 95% complete and is scheduled to be opened by September 2025.

The DOF also visited the Nalil-Sikkiat Bridge No. 1, another subproject, in Tawi-Tawi Province, which spans 380.8 meters with a 160-meter approach road. The bridge has a total length of 541 meters.

Given that most basic services and economic activities are concentrated in Bongao, the government is working to decongest the municipality and spur development across mainland Tawi-Tawi.

As such, the Nalil-Sikkiat Bridge No. 1 will play a key role in this effort by linking Bongao Island to Sanga-Sanga Island, enabling faster and more efficient transport of goods, services, and people to underserved areas of the province.

The bridge is 96% complete and is scheduled to be opened to the public next month.