Maguindanao gears up for infrastructure forum

Buluan, Maguindanao--Four municipalities are gearing up for the Maguindanao Infrastructure Development Forum slated here on May 16, 2012. 

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and Growth for Equity in Mindanao (GEM)- USAID met Thursday with mayor Zajid “Dodong” Mangudadatu and other municipal and provincial officials from Buluan, Pandag, Paglat, SK Pendatun, and Maguindanao Province to discuss final details of the forum.

The provincial government will share its development priorities and stimulus program with emphasis on infrastructure improvement, and showcase successful developments completed through leverage funds from donor agencies and other public-private partnerships.

Perspectives on private business venture in Maguindanao will be discussed by the business sector representative, La Frutera, Inc., while economic impacts of USAID infrastructure investments will be highlighted by the Institute of Socio-Economic Development Initiatives of Ateneo de Davao University.

The forum will carry the theme "Strengthening Infrastructure Governance for Peace and Development in Mindanao."

Maguindanao has been actively involved in collaborative efforts to implement development projects such as infrastructure. Playing a vital role in the actualization of these plans is the technical and financial assistance of USAID through its GEM program in collaboration with MinDA as the oversight agency.

To date, three of the road infrastructure projects under GEM worth Php 134 million have been completed: Ladia-Raguisi-Pinaring Road Upgrading  in Sultan Kudarat, Paglat Spur Road Upgrading in Paglat, and the 15-kilometer gravel-surfaced provincial road spanning  Buluan, Pandag, Paglat, and Sultan Kudarat Pendatun.

MinDA and USAID-GEM will lead the unveiling of the stainless steel plaque indicating the completion of the provincial road project that will be formally turned over during the forum.

“Completion of the road projects is part of our commitment to the leadership of Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu to unlock governance and development opportunities for Maguindanao,” said MinDA Chair Sec. Luwalhati R. Antonino.

The forum will commence with a ribbon cutting ceremony and photo exhibit of public and private partners of the province that gave significant contributions to raising socio-economic conditions, improving infrastructure and technology, and promoting business growth in the region. (MinDA)