ORG Compound, Cotabato City
12 April 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III was briefed by Autonomous Region on Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman on different projects being implemented in the entire Bangsamoro area upon his visit in Cotabato City. Among those priority programs that benefitted the Bangsamoro people are infrastructure projects which involve the DPWH reform policies. With an open, transparent and competitive bidding, DPWH- ARMM was able to save P136.362 million pesos for the whole year and was utilized to procure brand new equipment, vehicles and survey instruments for the region.

The Agri-Pinoy program of the Department of Agriculture was also discussed together with the ongoing housing project for the AFP and PNP personnel in Parang, Maguindanao. Other projects that were reported to the President were on areas of education, the development of Agrarian Reform Communities (ARC) and the enhancement of health facilities with a total budget allotment of P9.4 billion pesos for CY 2013.

President Aquino also met with the local chief executives of Basilan and Lanao Del Sur and discussed the reforms being implemented by his administration throughout the country. During the consultation, the LGUs expressed their concern on the present power crisis being experienced in Mindanao.

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