The Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) of Isabela has added another milestone in its accomplishment as three (3) subprojects are 100% completed amid the Luzonwide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

“These were all ready for final inspection when ECQ was declared. Our problem was the technical team from the Regional Project Coordination Office 2 (RPCO 2) cannot come and conduct the final inspection,” Ms. Sally Valencia, Isabela PRDP Action Officer said.

“We were able to inspect the subprojects when the IATF –EID identification cards were issued to us, and clearance was given by the National Project Coordination Office,” Engr. Edmund Bert Banzali, RPCO 2 Roads, and Bridges Specialist said.

Banzali said the subprojects are cleared for final billing.

Said subprojects include the Mungbean Warehouse with solar dryer in San Mateo, Isabela which amounts to 6.8 million pesos was proposed for the storage of mungbean (monggo) harvested in the area is 100% completed.

Mungo or balatong is considered black gold of San Mateo and the town boasts of its munggo by-products such as munggo polvoron, butchi, munggo halaya, munggo brownies, pancit balatong, munggo ice cream, moryecos, baduya, and munggo native cakes. It is also used as thickeners for bread and other bakery products, munggo flour, munggo empanada, munggo chips, and munggo coffee.

The warehouse (612 square meters) of the subproject is designed as a climate-smart structure. With the recent devastating effects of Typhoon Lawin, materials of the structure are concrete, designed for a single-story building. It conforms with the standards set forth under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on structural integrity and serviceability. Complementing the subproject is a 500 square meter solar dryer pavement right at the facade of the building. It has 6-inches concrete pavement with 12 mm diameter temperature bars spaced at the 0.50-meter center on both ways.

The billable amount for the subproject is 1.22 million pesos.

Another subproject due for final billing is aromatic and pigmented rice warehouse in Roxas, Isabela. The project cost is 8.36 million pesos. The billable amount is 1.37 million pesos.

Also completed is the San Jose Small Water and Impounding Project (SWIP) in Jones, Isabela, with a project cost of 9.7 million pesos with a billable amount of 3.47 million pesos.

The subproject has a dam crest length of 70.0 meters, a height of 10.0 meters, a width of 5.0 meters, a crest elevation of 106.0 meters, a watershed area of 170.0 hectares, pond area of 2.82 hectares, canal length of 200.0 meters and irrigable service area of 35 hectares.

Meanwhile, warehouse with solar dryer in San Fabian, Echague, Isabela has peaked to 99% actual physical accomplishment and is substantially completed. The pre-final punch list and inspection was conducted by the technical team on April 24, 2020, together with the PPMIU.

The warehouse has a subproject cost of 12.2 million pesos for grains storage.

The rural infrastructure engineers for these Isabela subprojects are Engr. Norman Romero and Engr. Darill Tagufa. (Ferdinand N Cortez, RPCO2 InfoACE Unit)