ARMM equipment crew retrained to boost regional infra thrusts

COTABATO CITY --- Fifty three equipment repairmen underwent work reorientation in preparation for the implementation of more multi-billion infrastructure projects in five southern provinces.The technical personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao retrained on maintenance and repair of heavy equipment were comprised of 20 diesel and gasoline mechanics and 33 shop workers.The DPWH-ARMM will implement more high-ticket projects in the next two years in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces in support of the socio-economic component of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Mindanao peace process.Engineer Don Mustapha Loong, regional secretary of DPWH-ARMM, told reporters Tuesday that their shop and equipment personnel were retrained to ensure work efficiency to hasten the completion of infrastructure projects without delays due to technical constraints.The trainees were also lectured on restoration and reconditioning of old and worn-out equipment for emergency backup use.The autonomous region has eight district engineering offices with an equipment depot each.The DPWH-ARMM upgraded in the past five years its equipment assets with the procurement of more bulldozers, payloaders, road rollers and graders using savings from its annual budget and from regular allocations from the national coffer.Loong said the extensive retraining of their equipment mechanics and shop workers was a joint initiative of the ARMM regional government and the Bureau of Equipment under the DPWH central office.The activity was held from August 22 to 24 at the department’s Area Equipment Services facility in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao.Loong said the office of ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, who has ministerial control over the regional public works department, has dozens of flagship projects for 2018 to 2019 that are now in the pipeline.The projects were designed to boost the socio-economic growth of fledgling Muslim communities in the ARMM’s five component provinces. (John Unson)