DPWH: Stop contracts over 3 Apayao roads; RPMC urges extension

By Marlo Lubguban

LUNA, Apayao – The Apayao 1st District Engineering Office of the Dept. of Public Works and Highways issued notice to provincial contractors to terminate their contracts over three vital road projects for delay in their implementation among other problems.  

Apayao DEO head engineer Albert Gahid said he had issued the notices. But in Baguio City, the Cordillera Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC), led by National Economic Development agency-Cordillera regional director Milagros Rimando recommended to Gahid that contractors be given time extension to complete the projects.

The RPMC gave recommendations on the three Apayao road projects during its meeting in Baguio.

These projects have been flagged under the Regional Project Monitoring Evaluation System for incoming delays.

Two of the projects, Manag-Talifugo-Paddaoan and Manag-Liwan roads, are in Conner while another, Bulu (Lenneng) road, is in Kabugao. These roads connect various industries and tourist sites in Apayao.

The Manag-Talifugo-Paddaoan road, in particular, connects Conner’s banana, coffee, cacao, rice and corn industries to the Tabuk-Conner-Kabugao National Road.

The Manag-Liwan road leads to the declared tourism destinations of Purag River, Purag Cave, and Bellang Cave in Conner, Apayao.

The Bulu (Lenneng) road will improve access to the Gulolan Falls in Paco Valley, Kabugao, Apayao.

The RPMC previously inspected the three project sites on Nov. 27 and 28, 2019.

The delays were attributed primarily to bad weather. 

The Manag-Liwan road was also delayed due to a right-of-way concern with an elementary school.

The school’s existing stage and comfort room are in the way of the road project.

The RPMC urged negotiation with concerned school and barangay to demolish and rebuild the structures and construct a retaining wall to keep the students safe.

It was agreed in the meeting that DPWH will include a timeline in their project reports to indicate realistic targets allowing some for revisions or extensions.

The regional Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources also offered to assist DPWH implement environmental policies as two of the projects are access roads to tourist destinations.

The RPMC monitors government projects region-wide to ensure on-time implementation by facilitating the resolution of project issues.

The committee conducts inspections, problem-solving sessions, trainings, and quarterly meetings to achieve its goal of proper implementation of government projects.

It is composed of regional government agencies, the local governments, and the private sector.

The RPMC had also nominated John Glenn Abela of the United Architects of the Philippines to join RDC private sector representatives Arnel Cabanisas and Dr. Julie Cabato as members of the RPMC.