Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3123
HOUSE BILLNO.______

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JOSE “PINGPING” |. TEJADA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill which seeks to convert the Malapag, Carmen-Tinimbacan, Banisilan
Provincial Road in the Province of Cotabato into a national road was filed by the
undersigned representative Jose “Pingping” |. Tejada as House Bill 2108 in the 17" Congress.

The Municipalities of Carmen and Banisilan are situated adjacent to each other.
Banisilan is the Northernmost Municipality of the Province of Cotabato bordering the
Provinces of Lanao Del Sur and Bukidnon. Like most of the towns in the Province of
Cotabato this municipality is predominantly agricultural with about 36.08% of its land or
20,826 hectares devoted to the production of rice, corn, coconut, mango, banana, rubber
and other crops. Compared to other municipalities, Banisilan lags behind in terms of
economic growth thus, the municipality is experiencing a relatively high poverty incidence
coupled with a low literacy rate percentage which is aggravated by the inaccessibility to
basic social services such as access to health services, higher educational institutions, means
of agricultural production, among others. All these are conceivably due to the poor
condition of the access road leading to the Municipality of Banisilan.

The Municipality of Carmen is likewise an agricultural area. Seventy Five percent
(75%) of its total population depends on agricultural farming as their means/source of
livelihood, 54,144 hectares or 48.76% of the land area is devoted to farming. Major products
are corn, palay, mango, coconut, banana and rubber, unlike Banisilan, Carmen enjoys a fair
economic climate. "

At present, residents of Banisilan endures roughly six (6) hours travel time just to
reach the Provincial Capitol at Amas, Kidapawan City via Wao-Bukidnon-Kidapawan route
and 4 hours via the Kidapawan-Libungan-Alamada-Banisilan route, however this route hosts
unfavourable geological conditions such as frequent landslides which poses immense threat
to those plying this direction.


The conversion and development of the Malapag-Tinimbacan as an alternative main
road will provide a shorter and safer route which will cut down travel time to two (2) hours
from Banisilan going to the provincial capitol via Carmen thru the Sayre Highway (Cotabato-
Bukidnon national Highway). The development of the same will enable a transport network
that will provide efficient access to and from the Municipality of Banisilan bringing about
numerous incremental benefits to the populace living in its corridor of influence.

By and large this is aimed to contribute to the socio-economic development of the
Municipalities of Carmen and Banisilan; and the Province of Cotabato and the entire nation

in general.

Hence the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

"

JOSE “PIN 1. TEJADA
3° District, ProWnce of Cotabato


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO., 3128

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JOSE “PINGPING” I. TEJADA

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONVERSION OF THE MALAPAG, CARMEN-TINIMBACAN,
BANISILAN PROVINCIAL ROAD IN THE PROVINCE OF COTABATO INTO A NATIONAL ROAD,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

Section 1. The Malapag, Carmen-Tinimbacan, Banisilan Provincial Road is hereby
converted into a national road under the supervision of the Department of Public Works and
Highways.

Section2. The Secretary of Public Works and Highways shall immediately include in the
Department's program the improvement, maintenance and repair of the said road, the
funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after completion of its publication
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers in general circulation.

Approved.