A total of P8.3-billion has been set aside for the construction, repair and rehabilitation of provincial roads this year, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
DILG OIC-Secretary Eduardo M. Año, however, says that to get access to the Department’s Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces for Road and Bridge Repair, Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (CMGP), provinces need to complete their Local Road Network Development Plan (LRNDP).
The LRNDP contains a transparent and predictable multi-year program of core roads that need to be improved or rehabilitated in the next five years to support local economic drivers, particularly agriculture, trade, logistics, and tourism hubs.
It is a requirement for the release of P8.3 billion funds for the physical works of provincial roads under the CMGP.
Of the 81 provinces, nine have already completed their respective LRNDPs. These are the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Pangasinan, Marinduque, and Camarines Norte.
The 72 other provinces are in various stages of completing their respective maps which forms part and parcel of the LRNDPs.
According to the DILG Chief, local government units (LGUs) must complete their LRNDPs within this year for the release of their CMGP funds. Failure of the provincial government to do so means their CMGP funds will be forfeited and will go back to the coffers of the National Treasury.
“We understand that the preparation of LRNDP takes about six months or more considering the land sizes and number of cities, municipalities and barangays within the province,” he says. “The provincial LGUs must fasttrack the completion and submission of their LRNDPs for the CMGP funds to be downloaded to them.”
In 2017, the DILG provided series of technical trainings to 78 provinces to help them produce their provincial road plans and fast-track completion of their CMGP projects. This was done in partnership with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).
The LRNDP complements the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) in determining strategic choices for investment programs and budgets for physical works and capacity development interventions to improve local skills, processes, and systems in local road management and public financial management.
The LRNDP of the respective provincial LGUs is reflective of the local road network map and value chain analysis which show the state of connectivity between national and local road networks, among other key information.
Said maps are being linked with the Geographic Information System (GIS) database of roads and bridges within the province, containing sections proposed for opening, improvement or maintenance of local roads under provinces, municipalities, cities, or barangays.
Once completed, the refined local network maps will be overlaid with national road network maps of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to support evidence-based investment programming for national and local roads.
