The Regional Project Monitoring Committee and Ifugao Provincial Project Monitoring Committee headed by RPMC Chair and NEDA-CAR Regional Director Susan A. Sumbeling jointly inspected 5 projects located in Tinoc, Banaue, Lagawe and Lamut Ifugao on April 20-22, 2022. These projects are the washed-out portion of the Banaue-Hungduan-Benguet Boundary Road, Slope Protection of Patilong Elementary School, Anaba-Ducligan-Banao Farm to Market Road, Ifugao State University Lagawe Campus Boys and Girls Dormitories, and the IFSU Lamut Campus Academic Building.
The ₱245.6 million Philippine Rural Development Project, Construction of Anaba-Ducligan-Banao FMR was validated to be substantially completed with only minor repairs needed. Locals in the area affirmed that travel time was significantly reduced as a result of the project. The other four projects inspected were encountering delays. Two projects being implemented by the DPWH, the ₱114.05 million Banaue-Hungduan-Benguet Boundary Road Restoration and Protection in Tinoc and the ₱5.42 million Patilong Elementary School Slope Protection in Banaue, had been delayed due to inclement weather and right of way related issues. For the IFSU projects, the university issued suspension orders for its two projects, the ₱ 4.93 million Improvement of the Lagawe the University Campus Boys and Girls Dormitories, and the ₱ 18.67 million Construction of the Lamut Campus Academic Building, due to obstructions at the project sites.
To fast-track the implementation of the delayed projects, the inspectorate team conducted Problem-Solving Sessions with the stakeholders and came up with necessary recommendations and next steps to put the delayed projects back on track. The RPMC proposed that the PRDP FMR be extended to the adjacent barangays in Lagawe and eventually function as a Banaue-Lagawe circumferential road. Another recommendation was for the LGUs to improve local roads connected to the FMR that would reach the the barangay centers.
The RPMC arranged for the DepEd Schools Division of Ifugao, the DPWH 2nd District Engineering Office and the Banaue Municipal Engineering Office to meet and discuss possible strategies for the commencement of the slope protection works for the Patilong ES.
Meanwhile, the provincial DILG office and the LGUs committed to assist the stakeholders in the resolution of the ROW issues of the DPWH implemented projects. The contractor of the Banaue-Hungduan-Benguet Boundary Road filed variation orders to implement proper engineering measures to address unforeseen challenges on the ground. Time extensions were also granted by the DPWH to allow the contractor to catch up for delays caused by ROW issues and weather-related interruptions. The variation orders and time extensions were found to be reasonable by the RPMC. To facilitate faster implementation of the Slope Protection of Patilong Elementary School, the contractor was advised to deploy additional manpower.
For the IFSU projects, the RPMC recommended to the IFSU DISD team to conduct site inspections of their ongoing and future projects. They were also advised to constantly check the quality of workmanship and fast track the processing of building permits. The RPMC was able to solicit the commitment of the Ifugao Provincial LGU to assist in the resolution of the transfer of the electric post that poses a serious safety hazard at the Girls Dormitory in Lagawe campus. The RPMC will formally inform the regional units of the agencies of the findings and recommendations. Subsequently, the RPMC in partnership with the Ifugao PPMC will constantly follow up the progress of the inspected projects.
The Regional Project Monitoring Committee is a support committee of the Regional Development Council, the highest policy making body in the region by virtue of Executive Order No. 93 s. 1993. The committee which is composed of government and private sector representatives is mandated to monitor all foreign assisted projects, interprovincial projects, area development projects, nationally-funded and locally-funded projects, and other projects in the region that are considered critical by the Office of the President and the RDC.
