Public infrastructure in Bangsamoro wins national award

Bongao, Tawi-Tawi— To strengthen connections between regional institutions and island communities, UNOPS is supporting the construction of critical government facilities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Implemented under the EU-funded Support to Bangsamoro Transition Programme (SUBATRA), UNOPS is overseeing construction for the Office of the Chief Minister in Tawi-Tawi and Basilan. 

As one of six infrastructure projects in the region, the two-story office in Barangay Lamion, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi has recently been selected for the ARC ICON 100, a prestigious recognition celebrating design excellence and innovation. 

The award highlights the contribution of the project’s designer, Dream Architects, whose work integrates modern functionality with elements inspired by Bangsamoro cultural identity, and reflects the island's cultural heritage through traditional design elements. 

Peter Browne, UNOPS Country Representative said:
“This recognition of infrastructure in Tawi-Tawi as among the country’s most impactful, shows the importance of infrastructure in advancing inclusive governance. Helping increase access to government services in remote areas is of critical importance. With our partners there is a shared commitment to infrastructure that integrates quality with cultural sensitivity, and this is an important step in strengthening regional institutions.”

Architect Daryl S. Balmoria- Garcia of Dream Architects said:

"This recognition would not have been possible without the trust, collaboration, and guidance of the UNOPS team. We are truly grateful to be part of such a meaningful project for the Bangsamoro community. It is our privilege to work with UNOPS."
 

ENDS

Notes to the editors: 

Press contact details

Yadhu Acharya, UNOPS Communications and Partnerships Officer for South East Asia and the Pacific. Email: yadhua@unops.org 

About ARC ICON 100: 

ARC ICON 100 is designed to spotlight the most compelling work from architecture professionals across the region. https://www.arcicon100.com/

About UNOPS

UNOPS offers practical solutions across peace and security, humanitarian and development operations. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners, such as the European Union and its Member States, to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement across the world. Read more: www.unops.org.

About SUBATRA

Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) is a five-year programme funded by the European Union, with co-funding from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), through an agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, with a value of EUR 26 million.

SUBATRA contributes to a smooth and timely undertaking of the transition through capacity building of the three branches of the Bangsamoro Government and civil society organizations. This will promote an enabling good governance environment and support the efficient implementation of policies set up by the transition plan, focusing on capacities critical for the sound functioning of interim institutions. 

The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace (OPAPP) are part of the project as partner agencies. AECID, UNOPS, and Particip, support SUBATRA as implementing agencies.

For more information about SUBATRA, please visit www.subatra.org.