JOLO, Sulu — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), through the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MoTC), inaugurated about P109.21 million worth of different infrastructure projects in Sulu, aimed at further strengthening the province’s transport and communication systems.

MoTC Minister Atty. Paisalin P. Tago said yesterday that his ministry inaugurated several new infrastructure projects in Sulu on Sunday, which are targeted to support the province’s economic development.

Tago said that among the key projects, they inaugurated in Sulu is the newly completed Jolo Port Warehouse, a P13.8-million facility that is expected to significantly improve the port’s operational capacity.

Also inaugurated was a P6.7 million, seven-room, air-conditioned staff house for the Bangsamoro Port Management Authority Sulu personnel, providing better accommodations for port staff.

Several projects are also currently underway, including the construction of an P18-million perimeter fence and a P65-million two-story passenger terminal, funded by the Special Development Fund.

Tago also inaugurated the 36 newly completed solar panels and light posts at Jolo Airport, worth P2.4 million, and the construction of the Bangsamoro Airport Authority Administrative Building, worth P3.3 million.

These projects were funded under the 2023 Transitional Development Impact Fund of Member of Parliament Atty. Jose Lorena.

According to Tago, all infrastructure projects were spearheaded by Engineer Bandar Julkiram, MoTC-Sulu Engineer II.

In a related development, the Jolo Airport, spanning the barangays of San Raymundo and Bus-Bus in Jolo, and Bangkal in Patikul, has officially transitioned from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to the Bangsamoro Airport Authority.

Bangsamoro Ports Management Authority (BPMA) Port Manager Nurmina Wallace and Bangsamoro Airport Authority (BAA) Jolo Airport Manager Delson Ismael expressed their gratitude for the completed infrastructure projects, highlighting their positive impact on port and airport operations.

Tago said MOTC also completed and inaugurated several projects in Tawi-Tawi province on Sunday. These projects included a water facility at Sanga-Sanga Airport, the Sanga-Sanga Airport Office Building, the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) at Sibutu Port, and the rehabilitation of PTB at Sitangkai Port.

These infrastructure developments by the MOTC demonstrate BARMM’s commitment to creating a more efficient and functional transportation and connectivity system across the region, the MOTC minister said.