Six road projects undergo tests: Mt Prov contractors warned on sanctions

By Pamela F. Dungala

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The provincial Department of Public Works and Highways office will enforce sanctions against contractors whose infrastructure projects have defects and failed to follow contract specifications.

Provincial DPWH officials bared this even as they said six infrastructure projects under the DPWH have undergone quality assurance program on Nov. 17 through inspection and quality control rating as per instruction of Sec. Rogelio L. Singson.

The QAP assures all projects are implementedin compliance with existing engineering rules and regulations to stop graft and corruption.

This is implemented through project inspection and evaluation by a unit composed of engineers from DPWH Bureau of Research and Standards, Bureau of Construction and the regional DPWH office.

Construction engineer Benedict Matib said projects included road upgrading of Dantay-Sagada National Road, rehabilitation of Mt. Province-Ilocos Sur Road via Kayan and Bontoc-Cadre Road and Baguio-Bontoc Road, construction of Bayudan flood control and PC-Barracks Road under LAB General Engineering.

The QAU team assessed project accomplishment reports and conducted project inspection and field testing while giving instructions to field engineers and contractors to ensure improvement of project implementation for quality projects.

“While defects may have been noted on these projects, the concerned contractor will be notified of these defects and will be directed to undergo rectification and corrections at their own expense,” said Charles Sokoken, assistant district engineer.

Projects are also subject to quality control rating of the Central Office as per instruction of the Secretary in a memorandum dated Oct. 28.

“We are hopeful that these projects will pass, hence, we are further geared up to closely watch on these projects for the immediate correction of the defects to avoid further damage,”Matib said.

The district office is optimistic that contractors will adhere to the guidelines on the implementation of infra projects as per memorandum of OIC district engineer to contractors.