CEPRE
he “ON

RECEIVED
DATE _& 5 AUS 2005

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

fi

IS

x=
Quezon City, Metro Manila *

TWENTIETH CONGRESS

FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Bill No. 3038 _

INTRODUCED BY Rep. ZIAUR-RAHMAN ALONTO ADIONG and Rep. YASSER
ALONTO BALINDON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to Section 37 of Republic Act No. 11054, commonly known as the Organic Law for
the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the National
Government retains the responsibility for implementing nationally-funded infrastructure
projects within the region. This provision acknowledges the autonomy granted to the
BARMM while emphasizing the National Government's duty to ensure the construction and
functionality of roads and bridges in the area.

The BARMM encompasses the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and Tawi-
Tawi, with 2 population of 4,404,288 individuals as per the 2020 census. Given the unique
nature of the region and the autonomy it enjoys, close coordination between the National
Government and the BARMM is essential to effectively implement national projects aligned
with the region's objectives.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assumes responsibility for
maintaining national roads, bridges, and other infrastructure within the BARMM. Proper
maintenance of these critical structures plays a vital role in the economic development of
any region, which is particularly significant in a region like the BARMM with its distinctive
geography.

To ensure the fulfillment of these responsibilities, the establishment of a Regional
Engineering Office, accompanied by its component District Engineering Offices, is crucial.
These offices would help prevent neglect and ensure that the duty of maintaining national
infrastructure within the BARMM is not overlooked. By having dedicated engineering offices
in the region, the planning and execution of infrastructure projects can be streamlined,
leading to more efficient and effective development initiatives. This will greatly help in
reaching the Department's Medium Term Development Goals.

In summary, while the BARMM possesses autonomy, the National Government bears the
responsibility for implementing nationally-funded infrastructure projects within the region.
The DPWH, through the establishment of a Regional Engineering Office and its component
District Engineering Offices, plays a key role in maintaining vital infrastructure, such as
roads and bridges, in the BARMM. The continued performance of this vital duty by the
national government through the DPWH further the region's development goals while
ensuring the functionality and growth of its infrastructure.

This representation filed this same bill which was approved on third reading by the House of
Representatives during the 19th Congress, reflecting the commitment of the legislative body
to the development and maintenance of infrastructure within the BARMM.

As such, the approval of this Bj is earnestly sought.

2nd District, Lanao Del Sur

aly



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Bill No. 3088

INTRODUCED BY Rep. ZIAUR-RAHMAN ALONTO ADIONG and Rep. YASSER
ALONTO BALINDONG

AN ACT
CREATING A REGIONAL ENGINEERING OFFICE AND COMPONENT DISTRICT
ENGINEERING OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND
HIGHWAYS FOR THE BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM
MINDANAO, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REGIONAL ENGINEERING OFFICE -
BARMM AND COMPONENT DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICES.
A Regional Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways is
created for the BARMM, and shall be referred to as the Regional Engineering Office
- BARMM (REO-BARMM). District Engineering Offices of the Department of Public
Works and Highways are created under the REO-BARMM for each legislative district
of the BARMM.

Section 2. COVERAGE.
The REO-BARMM shall serve all the legislative districts of the BARMM namely:

a. Basilan;

b. Cotabato City;

c. Lanao del Sur, 1st District;
d. Lanao del Sur, 2nd District;
e. Maguindanao, ist District;

f. Maguindanao, 2nd District;
g. Tawi-Tawi.

Section 3. APPROPRIATIONS. The Secretary of the Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH) shall immediately include the Department's program and
operationalization of the Regional Engineering Office - BARMM and the District
Engineering Offices thereunder, the initial funds of which shall be charged against
the current year's appropriations. Thereafter, the amount for the continued
operation of the said regional engineering office and district engineering offices
shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

Section 4. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. The Secretary of the
Department of Public Works and Highways shall promulgate and issue the
necessary implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

Section 5. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. If any provision or part hereof is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected
shall remain valid and subsisting.


Section 6. REPEALING CLAUSE. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
Act, all other laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations and administrative
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

Section 7. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,