DAVAO CITY – The national government has implemented at least P3.6-billion infrastructure projects in Davao Region for the first six months of this year alone.

A report by the Region 11 office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH 11) showed that the region has received funding from the national government amounting to at least P3.651-billion for the 106 infrastructure projects being implemented in the region.

DPWH 11 Regional Director Osop Ali revealed that bulk of the funding was used for the completion of vital infrastructure projects promised by President Arroyo in her State of the Nation Address (SoNA) last year.

“The projects cited in the SONA amounted to more than P3 billion and are expected to be completed soon,” Ali said when interviewed by reporters.

One of the projects nearing its completion is the Surigao-Davao coastal road and the Kapalong-Talaingod-Valencia road, which will provide an alternate route for Davao and Bukidnon.

Ali said the projects are part of the pump-priming activities of the government to cushion the impact of the global financial crisis on the country’s economy.

“You can imagine the thousands of farmers, traders, commuters, who will benefit from the road project once completed,” Ali said.

He said that another important project is the rehabilitation of roads in Compostela Valley Province such as the Monkayo-Diwalwal road amounting to P29.8 million.

It was gathered that the target date of completion for all SoNA projects in Mindanao has been moved on or before December 30, 2009.