The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has formally approved the release of the Php 64.3 million budget to jumpstart the implementation of the road and potable water projects in Cotabato.

DILG-PDMU XII said a total of nine projects composed of three road concreting, two road upgrading, and four potable water system projects were approved based on a letter from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).

Two of the road concreting projects will be implemented in the Municipality of Libungan and one in the Municipality of Aleosan. Meanwhile, road upgrading projects will be implemented in the Municipalities of Alamada and President Roxas.

Aleosan will also implement three of the approved potable water system projects in Barangays Pagangan, New Leon, and San Mateo, while Alamada will implement the same in Barangay Rangayen.

The road and water projects will be implemented under the national government’s 2020 Assistance to Municipalities (AM) and Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig para sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG) programs, respectively.

AM aims to assist municipalities in implementing projects included in their local development plans, while SALINTUBIG aims to provide potable water to waterless communities. Both programs are funded under the National Government’s Local Government Support Fund.

These LGU-proposed projects were endorsed by DILG to DBM early this year after the proponents successfully complied with the good governance criteria and technical requirements of the said programs.

On July 9, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) has formally issued the Notice of Authority to Debit Account Issued (NADAI) of the said projects informing LGUs that funds will be downloaded to their accounts soon.

To date, DILG has formally endorsed 22 projects from 19 LGUs in the region for funding under the 2020 AM program while 41 projects from 15 LGUs were also endorsed under 2020 SALINTUBIG program.