Representatives of different Local Government Units (LGUs) conducted a site visitation as part of the workshop entitled “Training on Safeguards Construction Supervision during Implementation of PRDP Infrastructure Projects” at City Travel Hotel, Baguio City on October 10 – 13, 2017.

The site visitation was held on two different areas undergoing road rehabilitation: Km. 49-Ambakian Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in Kabayan and and Jose Mencio FMR in Atok, Benguet. On October 12, 2017, representatives of different LGUs were sent in groups of three; one group went to Ambakian, and two groups went to Jose Mencio.

The respective local engineers and contractors of each project oriented the participants on site about the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in and out of the area. During the visitation, the participants conducted an inspection to investigate if violations were present during the implementation of the project. Interviews with locals were also done to assess their reception towards the road rehabilitation.

Aside from the improperly sorted logs and planks of wood, Km. 49 to Ambakian Farm-to-Market (FMR) in Kabayan, Benguet road rehabilitation received positive responses. Jose Mencio FMR in Atok, Benguet road rehabilitation incurred few violations regarding Environmental and Social Management during construction but the local engineer guaranteed to resolve these issues within a week’s time.

“The visitation is an application of what everything the participants learned from the lectures,” said Mary Char Bey De Castro from the National Project Coordination Office – Social and Environmental Safeguards (NPCO-SES). Michael Francis Falconi, NPCO-SES, added that the site visitation is needed so the representatives of the LGU will be able to adapt what they have learned during the implementation of their respective project proposals. (Shabach Joaquin, CARPCO InfoACE Unit)

Construction workers were often seen during road rehabilitations either doing their work, or during break time. Workers observed were in complete or incomplete PPE despite following other basic safety precautions.

Living conditions of the workers were checked. Safeguards are not only concerned with the mitigation of impacts to the environment of the project, but also with the well-being of the workers on site.

After the on-site inspection, a toolbox meeting was held to analyze the different feedbacks from each group. Recommendations to the problems encountered were given to the local engineer by the resource speakers for improvement.