MinDA hopes for more inter-regional routes in Mindanao

Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Maria Belen Sunga-Acosta joins the launching of inter-regional routes touching the Bangsamoro region where she outlines the potential of Marawi City to host a future BIMP-EAGA conference. (Michael John Paclar/PIA Lanao del Sur)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--The secretary of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is hoping for the opening of more inter-regional routes to foster economic development among regions in Mindanao. 

"Kailangan natin ng mas maraming rota sa Mindanao kasi we trade with each other and we visit each other as friends, relatives, and families [we need more routes in Mindanao because we trade with each other and we visit each other as friends, relatives, and families]," said Sec. Maria Belen Sunga-Acosta during the launching of inter-regional routes touching the Bangsamoro region.

Acosta also stated that the inter-regional routes are not just typical infrastructure development but symbols of cooperation, hard work, commitment, and sincerity of the national, Bangsamoro regional government, local government units, and private stakeholders to push forward progress and development.

"For MinDA, these routes are beacons of renewed resilience, connection, and hope. These routes will reap stories of development, triumph, and harmony as we move towards development, move forward as one Mindanao, better and stronger than ever," she said.

According to the MinDA chair, the newly-launched routes would also facilitate the return of displaced families to Marawi City and attract more investors and tourists to the Bangsamoro region.

"Magkakaroon tayo ng maraming investors at turista [we will have a lot of investors and tourists], and this is expected to boost the economic and commercial activities between and among regions in Mindanao," she said.

She further conveyed the potential of Marawi to attract counterparts from the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and host a future conference of the sub-regional economic cooperation because of its developing Halal industry and the ongoing development projects in the city. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)

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Friendship routes seen to boost Lanao Sur economy, tourism

Lanao del Sur Vice-governor Mohammad Khalid Adiong delivers the message of Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. where he highlighted the seen impact of the newly-opened inter-regional routes in the Bangsamoro region. (Angelo Dologmandin/PIA Lanao del Sur)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--The opening of the first inter-regional routes going to and from the Bangsamoro region would spur economic and tourism activities in the province, according to Provincial Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr.

"We, in the provincial government, see the inter-regional routes as an additional asset to improve transport connectivity and increase mobility opportunities which are essential for economic competitiveness and investment in peace while facilitating tourist travels that will surely promote Lanao del Sur as the next tourist destination in the region," he said in his message delivered by his son vice-governor Mohammad Khalid Adiong during the launching of inter-regional routes in BARMM.

According to him, the launching of new routes addresses the long-standing problem of accessibility and transportation in the province and its opening would consequently improve the mobility of goods and the people within and outside the province, as well as further enhance the quality of life in the locality by facilitating inclusive growth. 

The governor also said the opening of new routes complements the economic agenda and Vision 2040 of the provincial government which both aim to provide a resilient, sustainable, adequate, modern, and reliable intermodal transport system.

The Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and BARMM'S Ministry of Transportation and Communications recently launched three inter-regional routes in the Bangsamoro region which they dubbed as Friendship Routes. These routes include the Davao City to Marawi City route wherein 15 buses of the Mindanao Star Bus Transport Inc. will operate and traverse from Davao City to Marawi via Talakag in Bukidnon.

Meanwhile, Mayor Majul Gandamra of Marawi City likewise highlighted the beneficial impact of the new routes to the war-torn city saying it will pave the way for easier mobility of goods that would boost the city's economy especially since it is still in the process of fully recovering.  

"This particular route will serve as an avenue for both cities [Marawi and Davao] and their nearby localities to bolster their respective tourism industry which would then generate more jobs and therefore help stabilize our economy and ensure a win-win result for both cities," he further said. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)

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Gov't launches friendship routes in BARMM

MinDA Chairperson Secretary Maria Belen Sunga-Acosta, LTFRB Chairman  Martin B. Delgra III, and Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra lead the ribbon cutting to formally launch the first inter-regional routes going to and from the Bangsamoro region. (PIA)

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur--Commuting to Davao City for Marawi residents just got easier with the opening of the first-ever inter-regional routes going to and from the Bangsamoro region under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), together with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and LTFRB in the Bangsamoro region launched in the city on Wednesday, February 23, three friendship routes to provide modern, safe, secure, and comfortable public land transportation and help boost the economic and commercial activities in BARMM.

These include the Davao City to Marawi City route wherein 15 buses of the Mindanao Star Bus Transport Inc. will operate and traverse from Davao City to Marawi via Talakag, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and vice versa.

LTFRB-Davao Regional Director Nonito Llanos III said the launching of friendship routes is a fulfillment of their mandate in the identification and opening of inter-regional routes which can give the full sense of connectivity and continued exchange and brotherhood among different regions in Mindanao.

In a video message, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the new inter-regional routes will not only achieve mobility and connectivity in the regions but will also spur economies as it will open up commerce and trade in the areas.

15 buses of the Mindanao Star Bus Transport Inc. will now operate and traverse from Davao City to Marawi via Talakag, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and vice versa with the launching of Friendship Routes in BARMM. (PIA)

This was affirmed by City Mayor Majul Gandamra who emphasized that the opening of the friendship routes along with the availability of public utility vehicles is a great opportunity to serve the riding public with more accessible, affordable, and convenient public transport.

"This does not only connect two cities but it connects different provinces and different regions. It connects economies, industries and most importantly it connects the lives of our constituents," he said.

The other friendship routes launched are Iligan City to Marawi City with 27 Class 2 PUJs operated by MSU- Marawi Iligan Transport Services Corporation and the General Santos City to Dipolog City via Cotabato with 15 provincial buses operated by Rural Transit Mindanao Inc.

Llanos said two more routes were identified and are now waiting for a successful selection process for qualified transport groups. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)

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