In line with the issuance of No Objection Letter 2 (NOL2) last September 7 for the improvement of a farm-to-market road in San Jose CIty, the Project Support Office (PSO) – Luzon A Cluster and the Regional Project Coordination Office 3 (RPCO3) conducted a pre-construction conference last September 22 in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, which was attended by the Provincial Project Monitoring and Implementing Unit (PPMIU), the project contractor, barangay officials and the farmer-beneficiaries of the said I-BUILD subproject. The 5.176 kilometer-long farm-to-market that will be improved traverses the barangays of San Juan, Villa Joson, and Porais, and has a total project cost of P50,445,000.

San Jose City Mayor Marivic Belena welcomes the NOL2 issuance as a realization of a much improved and accessible farm-to-market road. “A wider and a smoother road will be helpful, not only for the farmers, but also for all of the citizens of San Juan, Villa Joson, and Porais,” said Mayor Belena. “That is why the city is very thankful for the Philippine Rural Development Project.”

During the conference, officials from the PSO imparted important updates and reminders regarding the implementation of the subproject, such as the necessary geotagging outputs, and social and environmental safeguards.

“Aside from discussing the reminders, we aim to gather in this conference everyone involved in the conception and implementation of the subproject,” said PSO Deputy Project Director Elma Mananes, who discussed the necessary documents/certifications needed for the financial aspect of the subproject. “And that’s the reason why we invited the PPMIUs and the contractors, the barangay chairmen and the farmer beneficiaries, to remind them that this farm-to-market road is a project of everyone, and for everyone.”

Previously, officials from the Project Support Office(PSO) Luzon A Cluster and from the Regional Project Coordination Office 3 (RPCO3) also led a pre-construction conference last September 18, 2015 at the Hiyas Convention Center in Malolos City, Bulacan regarding the implementation of the Improvement of Bubulong Malaki-Bulusukan-Bubulong Munti-Buhol na Mangga Farm-to-Market Road in San Ildefonso, Bulacan.

Department of Agriculture Regional 3 Technical Director and RPCO3 Focal Person Crispulo G. Bautista Jr., who attended the event, stated that the conduct of a pre-construction conference is important as it will prepare the local government unit, the contractor and the beneficiaries regarding the requirements for the implementation of the subproject.

“The farm-to-market road in San Ildefonso is the first World Bank-funded project in Central Luzon,” said Director Bautista, “and it is important to hold a pre-construction meeting in order to remind every involved agency and office their respective responsibilities.”

The Improvement of Bubulong Malaki-Bulusukan-Bubulong Munti-Buhol na Mangga Farm-to-Market Road, which amounts to PhP 98,467,000.00, will stretch for about 9.8 kilometers across the four baranggays. Central Luzon Regional Project Advisory Board approved the subproject last June 2014 and the NPCO issued the NOL2 last September 14.

“I hope that everyone involved should take part with eagerness and dedication for the success of this subproject,” added Director Bautista. (Mark Erron H. San Mateo, RPCO3 InfoACE)

PSO Deputy Project Director Elma Mananes explains the importance of financial documents for the implementation of the subproject, during the Pre-Construction Conference last September 24 in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.

Engr. Dennis Flores of the Project Support Office discusses the I-BUILD Guidlines during the Pre-Construction Conference held last September 18 in Malolos City, Bulacan