DPWH and JICA in talks on proposed new CDO-Malaybalay superhigway
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has met with the fact-finding representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to start working toward early loan provision for the construction of the 65-kilometer Cagayan De Oro (CDO) – Malaybalay section of Central Mindanao High-Standard Highway (HSH) Project.
The Central Mindanao HSH Construction Project is one of the priority projects as mutually agreed during the 14th Philippines-Japan High-Level Joint Committee Meeting on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation, which was held on August 28, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan and attended by Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan with Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain.
Once fully completed, this high-impact project will serve as an important link to connect agricultural products from the large plantations to the local markets and to the gateway ports in Cagayan de Oro City.
“We are grateful to the Government of Japan through JICA, for the unwavering support to several of our infrastructure flagship projects, helping us to Build Better More to turn the goal of Bagong Pilipinas into reality”, Sadain said in his opening message of the kick-off meeting held at Bayleaf Hotel, Manila.
Considered an important corridor in Mindanao, the Central Mindanao HSH Project with a total length of 300 kilometers is just one of several projects identified in the Master Plan for High Standard Highway Project – Phase 2 which was jointly conducted by DPWH and JICA in 2021.
Of the total 65-kilometer Central Mindanao HSH, the civil works for Section 1 which is 11 kilometers long will be funded by JICA while civil works for the 54-kilometer Sections 2 to 5 will be funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Government of Japan through JICA provided grant assistance for the conduct of the entire feasibility study. JICA, an incorporated administrative agency in charge of administering Japan’s ODA, is one of the world’s largest bilateral aid agencies supporting infrastructure development in the Philippines by providing technical cooperation, loans, and grant aid.
The Central Mindanao HSH Project between the section of Cagayan De Oro City, Misamis Oriental to Malaybalay City, Bukidnon will improve the transport efficiency for the 28 traverse barangays of four municipalities and two cities and contribute to enhancing connectivity of Northern Mindanao as well as economic development of the surrounding area.
Accessible through Butuan-Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Road from the north and Sayre Highway from the south, the project alignment will have a 60-meter road right of way with five interchanges constructed near urban centers.
Just like in other large and complex projects that require comprehensive and high-standard engineering works, JICA Consultants who have the technical capacity and extensive experience in the design of high-pier and long-span bridges will help DPWH prepare for the eventual construction of the Central Mindanao HSH Project.
Meanwhile, the DPWH has also secured funding from ADB for the Detailed Engineering Design of Sections 2 to 5 of the Central Mindanao HSH Project under the Second Additional Financing of the Infrastructure Innovation and Preparation Facility (IPIF-AF2).
Keyword: CDO-Malaybalay section of Central Mindanao HWY proposed by DPWH