Subic, Zambales – The Intensified Building Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD) under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) carries on with its streak of activities as the component’s key personnel from the Project Support Office (PSO) Luzon A convened with the implementing contractors of subprojects from the cluster in a construction management and supervision training last June 8-12, 2015.

Following the issuance of the No Objection Letter 2 (NOL2) to two subprojects in Isabela, one in Quirino and an awaiting issuance in Bulacan, contractors along with the Provincial Project Management Implementing Units (PPMIU) were equipped with appropriate knowledge and supervision skills in anticipation of the upcoming implementation of subprojects.

PSO Luzon A Deputy Project Director Elma Mananes who gave updates on the status of the release of funds encouraged the contractors and all present personnel to perform their duties and responsibilities accordingly.

“All of us from different offices must help each other in attaining our targets in order to achieve progressive results. Lahat tayo ay may mahalagang papel na gagampanan sa proyektong ito at sana magampanan natin ito nang maayos,” said DPD Mananes.

On the importance of local labor, IBUILD Water Specialist Engr. Ramil Corsino urged the inclusion of the barangay units in the operations and maintenance of constructions. An organization at the barangay level will be tasked to operate and maintain all interventions provided by the Project. The road rehabilitation in Quirino, for instance, covers eight barangays. Assigned members of the committee throughout all covered barangays are subject to report feedback to the Local Government Unit.

Reiterating the importance of work quality, National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) Alternate IBUILD Head Ericson Mammag led the presentation for the conduct of Material Testing and Quality Control (MTQC), billing, variation orders and construction work completion.

“High quality materials and works would lead to high quality economical structure,” said Mammag. He added that the quality demanded by the World Bank should not only reflect in the end product but more importantly during the procedure as well.

Participants of the activity were also lectured on the importance of daily supervision. “Inspection itself would not add to quality if not supervised,” he added.

Aside from the proceeds from the national government and LGU equities, a P20.5 billion fund was loaned from the World Bank to support PRDP. Subprojects to be implemented under the Project are deemed world-class and will be constructed to last approximately 20 years.

The component is set to conduct another series of MTQC Training to be participated by Regional Project Coordination Offices (RPCOs), PPMIUs and Rural Infrastructure Engineers. (Kayla Arceo, InfoACE- PSO Luzon A)