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[av_heading heading=’‘Big-ticket’ M’nao infras to fight extremism?’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Friday, June 9, 2017
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MANILA – The government has lined up “big-ticket” infrastructure projects seen to spur economic growth in Mindanao and draw young Mindanaoans away from radicalization, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III disclosed.
They include the P32-billion 2,000-kilometer Mindanao Rail line connecting Tagum to Davao and Digos cities, and the P4.9-billion Pangil Bay Bridge from Tangub City, Misamis Occidental to Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Pimentel said.
Meanwhile the P80.4-billion Mindanao Logistics Infrastructure Network (MLIN) is expected to improve the logistics infrastructure network in Northern Mindanao, Davao, Socsksargen, and Caraga, said Pimentel.
“The MLIN will enhance agribusiness competitiveness in Mindanao by developing an intermodal logistics system that will address the constraints caused by the high cost of transport and inadequate logistics infrastructure in the area,” he said.
Studies show that those with few employment opportunities are susceptible to violent extremists, said Pimentel.
“The discovery of over P50 million in cash in a Marawi home suggests that the financial rewards of joining terrorist groups like the Maute or Abu Sayyaf group play a role in attracting recruits to their cause,” the senator from Cagayan de Oro said.
Terrorists use underserved regions like Mindanao to advance their hostile agenda, he said.
Pimentel hopes the planned infrastructure projects and the resolution of the conflict in Marawi City will usher investments in the region.
“President (Rodrigo) Duterte is a game changer in this regard,” said Pimentel.
“As the first chief executive from Mindanao, he is committed to marshaling the resources of our government not just to end the threats posed by terrorism but [also] to rapidly develop the region’s economic potential,” the senator said./PN
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