Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
Hineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
HOUSE BELL NO.
INTRODucED 8¥ REPRESENTATlvE ADRIAN rmcHAEL A. AMATONG
ExpLAIIATORY ENOTE
This bill seeks to convert the current provincial road, extending from Barangay
Cuban in the Municipality of Sirawai, Province of Zamboanga del Norte to Barangay
Cayamcam in the Municipality of Tungawan, Province of Zamboanga Sibugay, into a
national road, officially to be named as the "Sirawai-Tungawan Road."
F`or far too long, residents of remote municipalities in the Zanboanga Peninsula
have faced hurdles in accessing opportunities for growth and development. According
to  the  Zamboanga  Regional  Development  Plan  for  2023-2028,  the  Municipality  of
Tungawan is regarded as an "undeveloped potential resource for tourism and trade."
The same report also recognized the Municipality of Sirawai as being endowed with
abundant  natural  resources,  making it  suitable  for  the  production  of agricultural
commodities  and fishery resources.  Despite having huge potential  to be "provincial
growthcenters,"thesetwoareasarestillamongthemosteconomically-depressedareas
in the Zamboanga Peninsula. To help these municipalities attain their fullest potential,
the study recollmended the implementation of initiatives aimed at "facilitating the free
movement of people, goods, and services" and improving common infrastmcture.
Elevating the  status  of the  Sirawai-Tungawan  Provincial  Road  to  that  of a
national road would play a pivotal role in linking the Ptovinces of Zamboanga del Norte
and  Zamboanga  Sibugay  and  contributing to  their economic  growth,  as  these will
ensure the road's continued maintenance and improvement with regular funding from
the  national  government.  This  upgrade  would  serve  as  a lifeline  for  the  far-flung
communities it traverses,  facilitating the movement  of people,  goods,  and  services.
Further, the necessity of this conversion was hi8hlichted by the Department of Public
Works and Hi8hways' designation of the road as one of its "high-impact projects" in
2021.  With  an  allocation  of  P1.23  bihion  for  all  projects,  the  agency  conducted
comprehensive   assessments   and   traffic   impact   analysis   to   identify   possible
improvements for this provincial road.
In essence, this bill is not merely about infrastructure development; it is about
empowering  communities  and  driving  economic  progress  for  all.  It  embodies  our
collective  responsibility  to  ensure  that  all  of our  constituents,  regardless  of their
geographical location, can access social and economic benefits.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bin is earnestly sought.
•'-`,.,,-...


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
HOUSE BELL NO.
INTRODucED By REPRESENTATlvE ADRIAN mcHAEL A. AMATONG
AH ACT
CONVERTING THE PROVIHCIAL ROAD STRETCHING FROM BARANGAY
CUBAN, MUNICIPALITY OF SIRAWAI IN THE PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA
DEL NORTE To BARANGAT CATAMCAM, nmJNIclpAI;ITV oF TUNGAWAN
IN THE PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY INTO A NATIONAL ROAD,
TO BE KNOWN AS THE SIRAWAI-TUNGAWAN NATIONAL ROAD,
AHD APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it  enacted by the  Se:note and the Hoiuse Of Representatives  Of t:he Philippines in
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. The road stretching from Barangay Guban, Municipality of Sirawai
in the Province of Zamboanga del Norte to Barangay Cayamcam, Municipality of
Tungawan in the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay is hereby converted into  a
national road to be known as the Sirawai-Tungawan Road.
SEC.  2.  The  Secretary  of Public  Works  and  Highways  shall  include  in  the
Department's program the improvement, repair, and maintenance of the said
road,   the   funding   of  which   shall   be   included   in   the   annual   General
Appropriations Act.
SBC.  3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,