Australia hands over newly rehabilitated road in Misamis Occidental

MANILA, Philippines - The Australian government officially handed over to the provincial government of Misamis Occidental a provincial road rehabilitated by the Philippine Provincial Road Management Facility (PRMF).

Rehabilitated with over P30 million funding from Australia, the 6.26-kilometer provincial road now provides the communities of barangays Maular, Caputol and Monterico and the municipality of Aloran with better access to markets, schools and health centers in Misamis Occidental.

The Maular-Monterico road is one of the priority roads identified by the provincial government. With reduced travel time and transport costs to markets, economic activities in the area have already increased due to the influx of traders and vehicles using the new road.

“Community plays a vital role in ensuring that this provincial road continues to serve the needs of the people. On behalf of the Australian government I am happy to note the commitment of the local government and the communities to taking care of their newly improved road,” Australian embassy’s Minister Counsellor for Development Cooperation Layton Pike said.  

The program’s introduction of good governance reforms, using road management as an entry point, will have far-reaching impact on the province.

“These reforms in such areas as local road management, planning and budgeting, internal audit, procurement and human resource development, are critical to sustain service delivery, including quality roads. Even after the Australian assistance, these practices will endure to benefit other aspects of local administration for many years to come,” Pike said.

Through PRMF, a total of 48.6 kilometers, including the rehabilitation of six provincial roads, will have been funded in Misamis Occidental by end 2014. PRMF is in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the provincial government.

Australia is a long-standing development partner of the Philippines and the country’s largest bilateral grant aid donor. For 2013-14 alone, Australia’s official development assistance in the Philippines is expected to reach A$171 million (P6.8 billion).