Iba, ZAMBALES – The Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO 3) and the Project Support Office (PSO) of the Department of Agriculture -Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) conducted a four-day punch listing of the 10.22-kilometer Dirita – San Agustin Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) held on May 25-28, 2021, here.

Punch listing is a crucial aspect in the project implementation which involves inspection prior to its turnover to the project beneficiaries.

The joint inspection team is led by RPCO 3 I-BUILD Rural Infrastructure Engineer Bon Alexis Guatato together with PSO I-BUILD Engineer Shiedel Delicano, RPCO 3 Geomapping and Governance Unit (GGU) GIS Data Officer Alvin Mariano, RPCO 3 Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Associate Prince Roy Cruz, RPCO 3 I-BUILD Project Development Associate Roel Yadao, PSO SES Officer Angelina De Guzman, PSO Administrative Assistant Ian Patrick Mones, and representatives from the Provincial Project Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) of Zambales.

“Completion of the P102-million FMR here will improve the mode of transport for the residents and farmers here specifically in the municipality and its adjoining areas,” Engr. Guatato said.

He also stressed the FMR will serve as a link for better access to nearby markets for farmers to deliver their produce leading to a more improved rural economy here.

Although critical issues have already been addressed in the previous months, it is significant to execute a construction punch list to ensure standards of detailed engineering were correctly achieved to be considered fully completed.

As of the 2nd quarter of 2021, the project attained 95% in its physical accomplishment which is deemed ‘substantially complete.’

Implemented by the DA-PRDP, the FMR project is targeted for full completion this June and will soon be officially turned-over to the local government of Iba for management and maintenance. (MA. REINA LEN G. LUNA, RPCO3 InfoACE)