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Marco Luis Beech - The Philippine Star
July 6, 2025 | 12:00am
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto speaks in a March 2024 event.
DOF / Released
MANILA, Philippines — Finance Secretary Ralph Recto has assured the public that every peso of taxpayers money is being spent efficiently, as the Department of Finance (DOF) conducted site inspections of ongoing infrastructure projects in Mindanao.
The Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project (IGCMRSP), which costs P27.26 billion, aims to expand the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) road network to boost the region’s economic growth and contribute to enhancing peace and stability in Mindanao.
“At the DOF, we make sure that every peso of the people’s taxes is put to good use and felt by the public. These funds go to projects that genuinely improve their daily lives, such as new roads, bridges, and other vital infrastructure,” Recto said.
Latest data from the Department of Budget and Management showed that government infrastructure spending dropped by 27.8 percent to P85.8 billion in April due to the recent midterm elections.
Despite the April slowdown, infrastructure spending from January to April inched up by 3.6 percent to P347.6 billion from P335.7 billion in the same period last year.
The inspected project in Mindanao is funded through the P21.09 billion official development assistance from the Asian Development Bank alongside a P6.12 billion government counterpart contribution.
One key subproject is the 24.6-kilometer R.T. Lim–Siocon Road spanning Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte. It includes 24.3 kilometers of concrete pavement and six newly built bridges and is expected to reduce transport costs and spur local trade.
The DOF also inspected the Nalil-Sikkiat Bridge No. 1 in Tawi-Tawi, spanning 380.8 meters with a 160-meter approach road.
To ease congestion in Bongao and boost development across Tawi-Tawi, the bridge will connect Bongao and Sanga-Sanga Islands to improve access to goods, services and opportunities.
As of the latest inspection, the projects are on schedule as the R.T. Lim–Siocon Road is 95-percent complete and will open in September, while the Nalil-Sikkiat Bridge No. 1 has reached 96 percent completion set to open next month.
The project promotes inclusive mobility by incorporating safety and accessibility features for women, children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, ensuring safer and more equitable road transport for all users, according to the DOF.
