Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City
HOUSE BILL NO. _________
Introduced by District Representative of Lanao del Sur, 2nd District
HON. YASSER A. BALINDONG
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF A DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
WORKS AND HIGHWAYS REGIONAL OFFICE – BANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS
REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO (BARMM) AND THE FIVE (5) NEW DISTRICT
ENGINEERING OFFICES (DEOs), APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
Section 1. Creation. The Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao, hereinafter referred to as “DPWH RO-BARMM” is hereby created and shall become a
Regional Office under the Department of Public Works and Highways. The seat of office will be
the selection and decision of the DPWH Secretary in the exercise of his authority to organize the
structure and efficient operations of this Department.
The DPWH RO-BARMM shall be under the control and supervision of the Department of Public
Works and Highways.
Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of the creation of the DPWH RO-BARMM and its five (5) new
DEOs is to establish an office under the National Government which is primarily responsible in
the funding and implementation of the construction and maintenance of national roads, bridges,
water supply and services, and flood control and irrigation system and for the maintenance of the
existing airports, seaports, and wharves within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
Section 3. Composition. The DPWH RO-BARMM shall be composed of a Regional Office and
six (6) District Engineering Offices (DEO) to be classified as 2nd Class DEOs under its jurisdiction,
the six (6) DEOs shall consist of five (5) new District Engineering Offices to be created, namely:
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(i) Sulu District Engineering Office (DEO); (ii) Tawi-Tawi DEO; (iii) Maguindanao del Norte
DEO; (iv) Maguindanao del Sur DEO; and (v) Lanao del Sur DEO.
While the existing Isabela City District Engineering Office in the Province of Basilan shall be
absorbed as the 6th.
Section 4. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall
be charged against the savings or current year’s appropriations of the DPWH. Thereafter, such
sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.
Section 5. Function of the Regional Office. The DPWH RO-BARMM shall provide the overall
supervision and administration of technical, financial, human resource and administrative
functions of the Region and all District Engineering Offices under its jurisdiction, including but
not limited to the following:
a. Plan, design, fund, implement, supervise, and oversee the construction and maintenance
of national roads, bridges, flood control systems, water supply and other national public
works and infrastructure projects in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
b. Through the representation of any authorized official, participate in the convening of
the Intergovernmental Infrastructure Development Board (IIDB), created by virtue of
Article VI Section 6 of RA No. 11054, and coordinate with the Ministry of Public
Works (MPW) under the Bangsamoro Government, in order to identify the national
infrastructure programs needed by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
c. Ensure the implementation of laws, policies, programs, rules and regulations regarding
the above mentioned infrastructure as well as all public and private physical structures;
d. Provide technical assistance related to their functions to other agencies within the
region especially the local government;
e. Coordinate with other departments, agencies, institutions and organizations, especially
local government units within the region in the planning and implementation of
infrastructure projects and
f. Conduct continuing consultations with the local communities, take appropriate
measures to make the services of the DPWH RO- BARMM responsive to the needs of
the general public, compile and submit such information to the central office, and
recommend such appropriate actions as may be necessary; and
g. Perform other technical, operational, administrative and financial functions in
accordance with the existing functions of other Regional Offices of the Department of
Public Works and Highways, but only limited to those relevant to national
infrastructure programs and projects in the Bangsamoro Region.
Section 6. Functions of the District Engineering Offices. District Engineering Offices shall
provide the overall supervision and administration of the technical, financial, human resource and
administrative activities of the District Engineering Office, including but not limited to:
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a. Plan, design, fund, and implement the construction and maintenance of national roads,
bridges, flood control systems, water supply and other national public works and
infrastructure projects in the engineering district under its jurisdiction;
b. Perform other technical, operational, administrative and financial functions in
accordance with the existing functions of other District Engineering Offices of the
Department of Public Works and Highways, but only limited to those relevant to
national infrastructure in the Bangsamoro Region.
Section 7. Repeal. All laws, executive orders, administrative orders, proclamations, rules and
regulations, issuances, or any part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Section 8. Separability. Should any part or provision of this Order be held unconstitutional or
invalid, the other parts or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force or effect.
Section 9. Effectivity. This shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
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