Mindanao Development Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto has lauded the Asian Development Bank’s infrastructure assistance to spur connectivity projects in Mindanao, citing its significant contribution to developing the Mindanao economic corridor.
In a statement last week, ADB announced that it has approved P19 billion worth of Mindanao-specific loan dedicated to improving national roads and bridges.
“This reaffirms ADB’s commitment to help strengthen the Mindanao Development Corridors and promote economic growth in Mindanao,” said Alonto.
The assistance, Alonto added, will create ripple effects in Mindanao regions, as enhanced connectivity will also drive more investors, economic activities, and jobs.
This is also in line with the Duterte Administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program through investments in infrastructure, specifically connectivity projects.
“This is really all about bringing progress closer to the people, through connectivity infrastructure and we could not be more grateful to have ADB’s usual support,” he said.
The transport and logistics studies of ADB served as critical input in firming up the strategic priorities for the Mindanao Development Corridors, Alonto said.
The corridor plan is a key spatial strategy aimed at improving infrastructure, establishing connectivity, and spurring the development of growth clusters within the island-region, allowing it to achieve balanced and inclusive growth among its regions, MinDA said.
The corridor approach divides the island economy of Mindanao into four development corridors”•one each for Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, Western Mindanao, and the Bangsamoro area.
ADB is also actively supporting the new sub-regional framework of BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025, which has put together US$23 billion worth of priority infrastructure projects.
As the Regional Development Advisor of BIMP-EAGA, ADB provides technical assistance and support to projects particularly on transport, power, environment, economic corridors, and green cities.
One of the recent initiatives undertaken in the sub-region is the study on the possibility of establishing power interconnections between Sabah and North Kalimantan, Sabah and Palawan, and Borneo and Mindanao.