Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro. Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HouseBi||No.8074'
INTRODUCED BY Rep. ZIAUR-RAHMAN ALONT0 ADI0NG and Rep. YASSER
ALONTO BALINDONG
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 proj ects
within  the  region.  This  provision  acknowledges  the  autonomy granted to the  BARMM while
emphasizing  the  National  Govemment's  duty  to  ensure  the  construction  and  functionality  of
roads and bridges in the area.
The BARMM encompasses the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sun, Maguindanao, Sulu,
and  Tawi-tawi,  with  a  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.
As such, the approval of this Bill is eamestly sought.
1st District, Lanao Del Sur


Rep.ublic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR,SESSION
House Bill No. 8074
INTRODUCED BY Rep. ZIAUR-RAHMAN ALONTO ADIONG
AN ACT
CREATING A REGIONAL ENGINHERING OFFICE AND COMPONENT DISTRICT
ENGINEERING OFFICES 0F TIIE 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  0F  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.  COVHRAGE.  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 Sun, 2nd District;
e.    Maguindanao,1 st District;
f.    Maguindanao, 2nd District;
9.    Sulu,1st District;
h.    Sulu, 2nd District;
i.     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  officc  and  district
engineering offices shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.
Section  4.  IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. The  Secretary of the
Dcpartmcnt   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,