Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House pitt no. 4439

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ISAGANI S. AMATONG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 3" Congressional District of Zamboanga del Norte embraces almost
50% of the total 730,100 hectares land area of the province of Zamboanga del
Norte. Of this vast area, 250 kilometers is assigned to the Labason-based 2"¢
District Engineering Office. This immense scope has caused logistical
nightmares and intolerable delays in most of the public works projects
undertaken in the southern part of the province, particularly in the Baliguian,
Siocon, Sirawai, and Sibuco municipalities. Furthermore, the stiff and hilly
terrain connecting Gutalac to Baliguian has rendered the four aforementioned
municipalities inaccessible from the 2"4 District Engineering Office, as heavy
construction equipment from Labason has to be brought to Zamboanga City
and shipped by sea to Siocon.

Thus, this bill seeks to establish a new District Engineering Office in the
province of Zamboanga del Norte to be named as the Fourth District
Engineering Office under the Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH). It will be based in the Municipality of Siocon and will be responsible
for all DPWH activities in the Municipalities of Baliguian, Siocon, Sirawai, and
Sibuco.

In its July 2013 report, the Special Monitoring Team of the Regional
Project Monitoring Committee Region IX described the western part of
Zamboanga peninsula as “one of the most neglected areas of the region due to
absence of a good road network.” This is a significant factor that has
contributed to the classification of Zamboanga del Norte as one of the top ten
poorest provinces of the country. Establishing a new district engineering office
will address not only the lack of road infrastructure projects, but also the
problem of poverty in the province.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought

ISAGANI S. AMATONG


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congres
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4439

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ISAGANI S. AMATONG

AN ACT CREATING A NEW DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE
IN THE THIRD LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
OF THE PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. There shall be established an additional district engineering office
under the supervision of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the
Third Legislative District of the Province of Zamboanga del Norte. It shall be
known as the Fourth District Engineering Office to be located in the
Municipality of Siocon, Province of Zamboanga del Norte.

SECTION 2. The Fourth District Engineering Office shall serve the
municipalities of Baliguian, Sirawai, Siocon, and Sibuco, all located in the
Third Legislative District of the Province of Zamboanga del Norte.

SECTION 3. The Secretary of Public Works and Highways shall include in the
Department’s program the operationalization of the Fourth District
Engineering Office in the Province of Zamboanga del Norte, the funding of
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,