LAMITAN CITY — Construction of infrastructure development and support programs in Basilan province continue to flourish as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Ministry of Public Works continues to pour in funds to support the economic development of the province.

BARMM-MPW Minister Architect Eduard Uy Guerra yesterday urged the MPW-Basilan Engineering District Office to fast-track all infra-development and support programs in the province as more development funds for Basilan province are on the pipeline for next year.

Guerra said BARMM-MPW has allotted P1.298 billion this year to Basilan for the construction of various infrastructure projects and programs in the province all targeted for the economic development of the province's 11 towns.

MPW Basilan District Engineer Kasim Hasanin on Thursday disclosed that his office is now concentrating more on the improvement of roads and farm-to-market roads as he described the roads in Basilan — in their present condition — are poor with numerous cracks and shattered slabs.

He added that the design does not comply with national road standards as its width and thickness fall below the required specifications.

Hasanin believed that roads would significantly stimulate and promote the economic development of farming areas traversed by the road network and will also directly link rural villages to the provincial capital, commercial centers, and major seaports, as well as enhance access to essential government services.

Apart from the roads, Hasanin said the identification of infra projects is based on the needed infrastructure support facilities they need in the 11 towns including flood control and shore protection, water resource development systems and community-impact projects of BARMM.