To delineate the duties and responsibilities of the Provincial and Municipal Local Government Units and the contractor in relation to contract management, the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) Bicol conducted a pre-construction conference for the PhP176.97 million-worth Concreting of the Junction Ogbong to Mabini Farm to Market Road (FMR) on January 19, 2022 in Virac, Catanduanes. 

DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol Budget Analyst Francis Llesis, Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Officer Teresita Blanqueza, and Geographic Information System (GIS) Officer Engineer Joel Catimbang oriented the project stakeholders on financial management and billing, SES and Geomapping and Governance Unit compliances, respectively. 

Rural Infrastructure Engineer Jimbo Bjorn Salceda also briefed the participants about the DA-PRDP infrastructure development (I-BUILD) guidelines. Moreover, DA-PRDP Project Support Office (PSO) South Luzon Associate Procurement Officer Gerson Paghid Jr. and DA-PRDP RPCO Bicol Associate Procurement Engr. Jamal Cadiz discussed the contract, contract documents and other provisions of the Project about the I-BUILD subproject’s construction. 

The 5.50-kilometer Concreting of Junction Ogbong to Mabini FMR in Viga, Catanduanes is an I-BUILD subproject, funded under the DA-PRDP’s first additional financing. The FMR subproject aims to connect abaca farms in Brgys. Ogbong, Ananong, Mabini, Sta. Rosa and Magsaysay to the market by upgrading the existing gravel road. The PRDP I-BUILD-funded subproject is targeted for completion on December 15, 2022. (Annielyn L. Baleza, DA RAFIS V/PRDP RPCO V InfoACE Unit)

Photo Credits: Engr. Joel A. Catimbang, PRDP RPCO V GGU