Lanao del Sur towns get P2M each worth of infra projects

MARAWI CITY, Philippines - Most municipal governments in Lanao del Sur that received a P2 million development package each from Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. last Aug. 23 have started implementing projects, officials said Saturday.

The infrastructure grants were released to 39 Lanao del Sur towns by the provincial government via memorandum of agreements (MOAs) with mayors.

In a statement Friday, Adiong said the projects are to be funded with 20 percent allocation for provincial development initiatives from Lanao del Sur’s International Revenue Allotment.

The P2 million infrastructure grants for each of the mayors is part of Adiong's effort to help capacitate each of them in handling projects using funds they are to handle with autonomy.

Adiong said the fund transfer agreements between the provincial government and his 39 constituent mayors outlined what projects the recipient-LGUs are to implement.

“These projects range from municipal road networks, expansion of rural health units, road repairs and rehabilitation, farm to market roads, multi-purpose gymnasiums, municipal halls and multi-purpose covered courts, Adiong said.

The MOAs between the mayors and the provincial government were crafted last Aug. 23 at the provincial capitol in Marawi City, according to Adiong.

Adiong’s office will monitor the projects via the provincial government’s Trust Fund Unit (TFU).

The chief of TFU, engineer Dimasira Macabando Jr., on Saturday said they are expecting the LGUs to complete the projects within 40 days starting from the date of the initial fund tranches.

“Each project has a 40-day maximum completion period, upon the submission of all the requirements by each LGU and the release of the funds to them,” Macabando said.

He said the provincial government shall take over the implementation of projects any beneficiary-LGU may fail to implement.

Adiong had said in his statement that he is confident the local executives who received the grants can efficiently implement their respective projects.