Contractor fails to finish P27M Kalinga project

By Peter Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCom) has recommended termination of  contract of the P27 million Bunog-Matoc communal irrigation project following failure of the contractor to complete the project despite two extensions.

Francisco Alunday, PARCCom chairman,  said the committee recommended  to  the National Irrigation Administration and Department of Agrarian Reform  central offices termination of the project and to continue it through other forms of implementation.

The  project was awarded to Unabia Construction and DCE Construction through a joint venture in January 2011 and targeted to be completed December of the same year.

According to Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Dr. EdanoCanao, only  50 percent of the project was accomplished in 2011. and half of the project cost was also released.

The PARCCom helped resolve road right-of-way claims the reason the contractor gave why the project was delayed, PARCCom member Engr. Andres Ngao-i  said adding that the PARCCom still gave the contractor two extensions they will complete the project --- vital for agrarian reform beneficiaries in Tinglayan. 

DAR-PARCCom reported that  during the extension period, the contractor only accomplished 5 percen t  despite the agreement for the contractor to finish it until June 30 this year.

The project is funded from a grant provided by Japan International Cooperation Agency.