MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will release P526 million to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to fulfill various program requirements under the ARMM Transition Investment Plan.
In a statement, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said that included in the investment plan for ARMM are the construction and rehabilitation of peace and order facilities as well as the purchase of necessary equipment.
"The recently approved release will boost the Aquino administration's bid to accelerate critical reforms in ARMM. In particular, it will enable the DILG to carry out reform-focused projects, as well as fortify key infrastructure and equipment for restoring security in the region," Abad said.
The bulk of the fund release - amounting to P310 million - will go to the Bureau of Fire Protection for the construction of 33 fire stations and the provision of 33 fire trucks in ARMM. Another P136 million will support the Philippine National Police through the establishment of 21 police stations and the acquisition of 23 police vehicles in the region.
Meanwhile, P63 million will be devoted to the implementation of various projects aligned with the Administration's reform platform for the ARMM. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology will likewise receive assistance under the release, with P16 million earmarked for the rehabilitation of six jails across the region.
"The continued implementation of the ARMM Transition Investment Plan is part of President Aquino's commitment to establishing peace and order in the country. We are pursuing this goal in a systematic way so that we can establish good governance in the ARMM, as well as provide crucial support for poverty reduction initiatives in the ARMM," Abad said.
