Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 6245.

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ISAGANI S. AMATONG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This measure provides for the conversion of the provincial road
stretching from the Municipality of Siocon in the Province of Zamboanga del
Norte to Barangay Canatuan up to the boundary of the Municipality of Roseller
T. Lim in the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay into a national road, to be
known as the Siocon-Canatuan Road.

The Siocon-Canatuan Road is the only link between the fishery-
abundant Municipality of Siocon and the agriculture-rich Municipality of
Roseller T. Lim. Though rich in natural resources, this western part of
Zamboanga Peninsula remains largely undeveloped because of poor road
system. Indeed, the Regional Project Monitoring Committee described the area
as “one of the most neglected areas of the region due to absence of a good road
network”, an account that has contributed to the classification of Zamboanga
del Norte as one of the top ten poorest provinces in the country.

It is noteworthy that the Siocon-Roseller T. Lim Road has been identified
by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as one of its priority projects in its
“Improving National Roads for Inclusive Growth in Mindanao Project.” Said
ADB study culminated with the Department of Finance and ADB entering into
a loan agreement in 2018 for the construction and improvement of eight road
networks in Mindanao, one of which is the Siocon-Roseller T.Lim Road.

While there is already funding for the construction of Siocon- Roseller T.
Lim Road, its conversion into a national road will ensure its continued
maintenance and improvement through the years with regular funding from
the national government. In turn, this will spur economic growth, enhanced
connectivity, and efficient transportation that will benefit the whole of
Zamboanga Peninsula.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Brit wo. 6245

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ISAGANI S. AMATONG

AN ACT
CONVERTING THE PROVINCIAL ROAD STRETCHING FROM
THE MUNICIPALITY OF SIOCON IN THE PROVINCE OF
ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE TO THE BOUNDARY OF
THE MUNICIPALITY OF ROSELLER T. LIM IN THE PROVINCE OF
ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY INTO A NATIONAL ROAD,
TO BE KNOWN AS THE SIOCON-CANATUAN NATIONAL ROAD,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. The provincial road stretching from the Municipality of Siocon in
the Province of Zamboanga del Norte to boundary of the Municipality of
Roseller T. Lim in the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay is hereby converted into
a national 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.

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

Approved,