The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) in Region 11 (Southern Mindanao) together with the local government unit of Davao del Sur are pushing for the inclusion of the Padada-Kiblawan-Columbio Road in the list of priority projects to the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the region.

The opening of the remaining section together with the improvement of the rest of the Padada-Kiblawan-Columbio road was endorsed by RDC 11 to the President’s Agribusiness Super Region Strategy after a two-day inspection in the site, led by Neda 11 Regional Director Nicasio Angelo Agustin.

In a statement, Agustin said he is optimistic that the project will be considered by President Arroyo as one of the priority projects in the Agribusiness Mindanao Super Region.

“[There are] numerous favorable impacts not only to the municipalities of Columbio, Sultan Kudarat and Matanao, Davao del Sur but also to the long-term development of Mindanao [if the project is completed],” Neda 11 said in a statement.

Agustin said that the site visit in Davao del Sur covered the barangays of the municipality of Matanao. The provincial government of Davao del Sur pushed for the inclusion of Matanao in the project considering the possible impact of the project on the said municipality. 

Matanao is next to Columbio. The road project will also traverse agriculturally productive barangays of the municipalities of Padada and Matanao.

“The completion of the road project will significantly shorten the travel distance from Davao del Sur to Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao, and will accelerate inter-provincial and inter-regional trade and fast-track basic services delivery,” Neda 11 said.

The Neda 11 said the monitoring team was also able to meet with the tribal communities and their Punong Barangays, who will be directly affected by the road project. 

The communities and the local officials expressed their support to the project and also expressed their other needs, such as potable water supply systems, school facilities and livelihood assistance. 

Neda assures the poor NFA rice will stay at P18.25/kilo

THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) assured that the price of rice being sold by the National Food Authority (NFA) in depressed communities will remain at P18.25 per kilo.

Weak market pushes back BayanTrade listing

AFTER earning for the first time in a seven-year loss, logistics-management firm BayanTrade Inc. was clutched by a weak equity market and forced the deferment of its public listing.

A PROMINENT Filipino businessman-restaurateur has filed criminal charges against international financial and investment company Lehman Brothers and its Filipino counterparts for possible violation of the Philippine Anti-Dummy Law.

CAMBODIA has committed to the Philippines that it will extend favorable consideration to local airlines seeking permit to fly there despite the lack of an air services agreement (ASA).

The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) in Region 11 (Southern Mindanao) together with the local government unit of Davao del Sur are pushing for the inclusion of the Padada-Kiblawan-Columbio Road in the list of priority projects to the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the region.