LAMITAN CITY — The Ministry of Public Works is now fast-tracking the completion of about P1.298 million of ongoing various infrastructure support development programs for Basilan province.

MPW Basilan District Engineer Kasim A. Hasanin on Sunday disclosed that the infrastructure support program is seen to stimulate and promote economic development activities in the province.

"Construction of minor to major infrastructure projects is part of the socio-economic development agenda of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for Basilan province," Hasanin said.

He added that the series of infrastructure projects are targeted to improve the quality of lives of the people and promote peace in Basilan.

According to Hasanin, 50 percent of the P1.298 million worth of infrastructure projects were awarded to private contractors, 30 percent of the amount goes to projects identified by the local government units of the province through a memorandum of agreement while the remaining 20 percent is being undertaken by the administration.

"I asked our equipment section to fast-track the delivery of construction materials to the province alike cement, sand and gravel," Hasanin said. "The supply of cement comes from Zamboanga City, sand is being procured in Cotabato City due for its high-quality river sand."

"Procuring river sand in Cotabato City, we are eventually helping Cotabato City in its flood prevention program," he added.

Hasanin also revealed that more infrastructure projects are in the pipeline for implementation next year as the budget for next year for Basilan province has been increased by BARMM.