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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
House Bill No.  1430 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ROMEO S. MOMO, SR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF A DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 
AND HIGHWAYS REGIONAL OFFICE – BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN 
MUSLIM MINDANAO (BARMM) AND THE FIVE (5) NEW DISTRICT ENGINEERING 
OFFICES (DEOs), APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
The creation of a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office in 
the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the 
establishment of five (5) new District Engineering Offices (DEOs) are of great importance 
and benefit to the region.  
Looking deep into the decentralization efforts of the government and its many attempts to 
empower local government units, now Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan of NEDA mentions 
that investments in key public goods, physical infrastructure, and human capital are major 
drivers of both the national growth rate and regional development patterns (Balisacan et. 
al. 2006).   
Easing up infrastructure processes will balance the existing gap between internationally 
oriented infrastructure such as ports, harbors and associated facilities and the domestic 
transport networks and corridors. The focus on international connectivity inhibited a denser 
set of domestic connections from forming (Balisacan et. al. 2006). The team further suggest 
that, no major changes have occurred in Philippine economic geography over at least the 
past two decades and probably for longer. The ranking of regions by socio-economic 
indicators has changed relatively little: the regions with above-average indicators continue 
to be Manila and its surrounds, while the relatively poorer regions remain so. Most of the 
traditionally poor regions of western Mindanao have slipped further behind owing to the 
prolonged state of conflict and local mismanagement. This lack of improvement highlights 
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both the slow rate of national economic growth (rankings would be more likely to change 
with faster growth) and the absence of any major change in national policy settings, aside 
from the decentralization (Balisacan et. al. 2006).  
The house bill is therefore specifically designed to address this crack in the system. 
Moving on, in the provinces of Mindanao, the Department of Public Works and Highways 
(DPWH) performs a crucial role in the Philippines. The six (6) DEOs shall consist of five 
(5) new District Engineering Offices to be created, namely: (i) Sulu District Engineering
Office (DEO); (ii) Tawi-Tawi DEO; (iii) Maguindanao del Norte DEO; (iv) Maguindanao del 
Sur DEO; and (v) Lanao del Sur DEO.  
The DPWH RO-BARMM proposes to absorb the existing Isabela City District Engineering 
Office in the Province of Basilan. This proposed unit in the Bangsamoro region will be 
accountable for the planning, construction, maintenance, and development of public 
infrastructure initiatives in the region. It is anticipated that the DPWH RO-BARMM will ease 
the process and bring about positive consequences in terms of the following dimensions;  
First, the establishment of a DPWH Regional Office and new DEOs in BARMM gives the 
chance to improve infrastructure growth and road construction. With a dedicated regional 
agency and its associated district engineering offices, residents can anticipate more 
extensive road networks that address the requirements of both urban and rural areas, 
resulting in greater accessibility and immediate action. 
Second, the establishment of a DPWH Regional Office and new DEOs in BARMM can 
create employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled employees. With 
infrastructure investments, construction projects, and maintenance in BARMM's provincial 
areas, DPWH's presence could generate income opportunities, promote economic 
development, and aid in alleviating regional poverty. This, in turn, can generate a multiplier 
effect, resulting in increased economic activity and further stimulating the regional 
development. 
In addition, the formation of the DPWH Regional Office in BARMM and the creation of the 
DEOs will help resolve the region's infrastructure deficiencies, especially in rural areas.  
The establishment of five (5) new DEOs in BARMM can result in improved coordination of 
infrastructure projects, even in the most remote areas under BARMM's jurisdiction, without 


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the need to travel great distances to coordinate with regional offices. The DEOs of the 
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) can assist in providing the residents 
of BARMM with an in-depth analysis of the region's infrastructure requirements, which are 
distinct from those of other Mindanao regions.  
With a DEO in each province, the agency can provide efficient planning and timely project 
completion through targeted planning and assignment. By prioritizing the construction and 
maintenance of roads and bridges, the Department of Public Works and Highways 
promotes inclusion and decreases disparities between urban and rural areas. This creates 
opportunities for agricultural growth, tourism, and other industries, thereby contributing to 
the region's overall economic development. 
The significance of the creation of the DPWH Regional Office and DEOs in BARMM rests 
in its contribution to the region's economic and social development. By enhancing road 
infrastructure, the Department of Public Works and Highways facilitates the movement of 
people, products, and services, thereby increasing opportunities for trade, investment and 
tourism. It also improves access to essential services such as healthcare and education, 
thereby enhancing the quality of life in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim 
Mindanao area. 
The establishment of a DPWH Regional Office and DEOs in BARMM will bring numerous 
benefits, including a vastly enhanced infrastructure network for local residents. In addition 
to facilitating greater economic opportunities through infrastructure development, local 
employment, and convenience of access to essential services for socioeconomic 
development in the region, the general population will experience additional benefits. 
In conclusion, the formation of a DPWH Regional Office in BARMM, as well as the 
installation of five (5) new DEOs, will play an important role in infrastructure development, 
economic and social advancement, and cultural integration in the Bangsamoro 
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.  
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
ROMEO S. MOMO, SR. 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No.  1430 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ROMEO S. MOMO, SR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
AN ACT 
CREATING A DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS 
REGIONAL 
OFFICE-BANGSAMORO 
AUTONOMOUS 
REGION 
IN 
MUSLIM MINDANAO AND FIVE NEW DISTRICT ENGINEERING 
OFFICES THEREUNDER AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 
1. A 
Department of Public 
Works and 
Highways 
2 
Regional-Office 
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao 
3 
(DPWH RO-BARMM) is hereby created, to become the 17th Regional Office 
4 
of the DPWH 
and shall be located in Zamboanga City taking into 
5 
consideration  its  logistical  location  being  in  the  center  of  the  provinces 
6 
comprising the Bangsamoro Region. 
7 
SEC. 2. The DPWH RO-BARMM shall be composed of a Regional Office 
8 
and five (5) new District Engineering Offices (DEOs) to be created under its 
9 
jurisdiction, namely: Sulu DEO, Tawi-Tawi DEO, Maguindanao del Norte DEO, 
10 
Maguindanao del Sur DEO, and Lanao del Sur DEO. 
11 
SEC. 3. The Secretary of Public Works and Highways shall include in 
12 
the Department's program the operationalization of the DPWH RO-BARMM 
13 
and the DEOs thereunder the initial funding of which shall be included in the 


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14 
annual General Appropriations Act. 
15 
 
 
16 
SEC. 4. The DPWH RO-BARMM shall provide the overall supervision 
17 
and administration of the technical, financial, 
human resource, and 
 
include the following: 
 
1 
(a) Plan, design, fund, implement, supervise, and oversee the construction 
2 
and maintenance of national roads, bridges, flood control systems, water 
3 
supply and other national public works and infrastructure projects in the 
4 
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region; 
5 
(b) Participate in the convening of the Intergovernmental Infrastructure 
6 
Development Board created by virtue of Article VI, Section 6, of Republic 
7 
Act No. 11054 or the “Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous 
8 
Region in Muslim Mindanao”, through the representation of the Regional 
9 
Director or any authorized official, and coordinate with the Ministry of 
10 
Public Works under the Bangsamoro Government in order to identify 
11 
the  national  infrastructure  programs  needed  by  the  Bangsamoro 
12 
Autonomous Region; and 
13 
(c) Perform other technical, operational, administrative, and financial 
14 
functions in accordance with the existing functions of other regional 
15 
offices of the DPWH but not limited to those relevant to the national 
16 
infrastructure programs and projects in the Bangsamoro Region. 
 
17 
SEC. 5.  The DPWH RO-BARMM shall provide the overall supervision 
18 
and administration of the technical, financial, 
human resource, and 
19 
administrative activities of the five (5) newly created DEOs, to include 
20 
the following: 
21 
(a) Plan, design, fund, and implement the construction and maintenance 
22 
of national roads, bridges, flood control system, water supply, and 
23 
other national public works and infrastructure projects in the 
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engineering district under its jurisdiction; and 
25 
(b) Perform other technical, operational, administrative, and financial 
26 
functions in accordance with the existing functions of other DEOs of 
27 
the  DPWH,  but  not  limited  to  those  relevant  to  the  national 


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infrastructure programs and projects in the Bangsamoro Region. 
1 
SEC. 6. The DPWH shall issue the necessary implementing rules and 
2 
regulations in accordance with the provision of this Act within ninety (90) days 
3 
from the effectivity hereof. 
 
4 
SEC. 7. Pursuant  to  the  existing  accounting  and  auditing  rules, 
5 
regulations and policy of the National Government, the Department of Budget 
6 
and Management shall issue the corresponding agency codes for the DPWH 
7 
RO-BARMM and the five (5) new DEOs to allow them to program and procure 
8 
goods, services, and civil works necessary for the operation of the said offices. 
 
9 
SEC. 8. All laws, executive orders, administrative orders, proclamations, 
10 
rules and regulations, issuances, or any part thereof inconsistent with the 
11 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
 
12 
SEC. 9. Should any part or provision of this Act be held unconstitutional 
13 
or invalid, the other parts or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be 
14 
in full force and effect. 
 
15 
SEC. 10. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
16 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,


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