The Regional Development Council VIII – Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RDC VIII-RPMC) visited the ongoing infrastructure projects of the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP) in Catarman and road project of DPWH in Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar as part of the Second Batch 2nd Quarter 2021 Field Monitoring Visit cum Validation of the Committee on 19-20 May 2021.

The team inspected the construction and completion of the College of Law Extension Building, Research and Extension Building, Multi-Purpose Centennial Hall, and Academic Building in UEP; and theconstruction of the Mondragon-Silvino Lobos Road in Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar.

Inspection of the projects in UEP showed that construction of the Multi-Purpose Centennial Hall and Academic Building (Phase IV) are close to completion and are currently in the process of finishing punch list items and rectification of work.

Meanwhile, the College of Law Extension Building was already completed, but the installed floor tiles from the first to third floors buckled and one tempered glass window pane was cracked necessitating the rectification of works by the contractor.

On the other hand, construction of the Research and Extension Building was suspended due to the unavailability of required materials for construction locally. The project currently stands at a physical accomplishment of 80.93%.

UEP has already contacted the contractor of both projects, A.S. Aguilana Construction and Supply, to ensure the rectification and fast-tracking of the construction works.

The monitoring team also visited the ongoing construction of the Mondragon-Silvino Lobos Road (Phase 5) in Silvino Lobos, Northern Samar. Originally slated to be finished by 20 August 2019, the project was delayed due to inclement weather in the area and an unexpected redesign of the Suba Bridge, which was revised from a pile foundation bridge footing to spread footing.

The contract with the contractor, a joint venture between Monolithic Construction and Concrete Products, Inc. and Solid M Construction, was supposed to be terminated according to Section III.A.2.a of the revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) ofRepublic Act 9184. However, the contractor submitted a motion for reconsideration and committed to fast-track the project implementation during fair weather condition and assured DPWH that they will not abandon the project.

Currently, installation of form works for road concreting, excavation of surplus materials, and drainage works are ongoing at the project site. Steel girders for the bridge have already been assembled and are ready for installation.

Road works continue to be affected by poor weather conditions; but the 2nd District Engineering Office of the DPWH Northern Samar has already compelled the contractor to submit a catch-up plan and is closely monitoring the execution of the project.

Article and Photos by: Knulp Aseo, DRD; Engr. Erlito H. Vitor and Ana Rose Magdalaga, PMED