BONTOC, Mountain Province – The construction of Senior High School buildings hit snags after contractors have not met deadlines to the detriment of the end users who badly needs the new classrooms.
This was learned during the Senior High School (SHS) Physical Facilities Conference between the contractors of the buildings, the Department of Education (DepEd) – Mountain Province, and the Mountain Province District Engineering Office (MPDEO) on November 11, 2016 at the Dap-ayan Hall, DepEd Office.
The conference is called for the purpose of findings ways on how to fast track the construction works so that the school facilities could be completed this year and to be used by students in the incoming school year or sooner.
Issues and concerns from all the parties involved in the implementation of the projects were tackled after the presentation of accomplishments and project status was done by the Engr. Cristino Taynec of MPDEO.
Among the negative issues and concerns is the reported slow construction works that has earned negative slippages. Some projects, however, were reported completed but still with some defects to be corrected.
The contractors voiced out factors that hampered the smooth implementation of construction works. However, common sentiments reached out indicate that most of the contractors face lack of manpower and financial capability to provide labor and materials.
Among the agreements to fast track the implementation of the projects are for the engineers from MPDEO and DepEd to jointly conduct final inspections and for the contractors to augment manpower while implementing catch up plans to complete the projects.
The possible billing for partial payments was also brought out considering the difficulties being encountered by the contractors. Although no commitment was assured from the MPDEO, the matter will be taken on case to case basis as the general system on progressive billing is only applicable to projects with not more than 15% slippages.
Of the twenty three (23) school buildings ongoing construction around the province, only ten (10) have been reported to be 100% completed.
These 23 buildings ranges from two to four storeys and consisting 147 classrooms if completed by the end of this year up to the first quarter of next year as committed by the contractors.
Schools Division Superintendent Gloria Buya-ao urged the contractors to put their hearts in their works and to consider the welfare of the children. “The completion of the buildings will be our Christmas gifts to our students”, she quipped.
By Roger Sacyaten
