To ensure the proper Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of subprojects implemented under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), a three-day training on O&M was conducted on June 19-21 in Tabuk City, Kalinga.

O&M personnel and representatives from the Provincial LGUs with ongoing and completed infrastructure subprojects participated in the activity.

DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Narciso A. Edillo encouraged active participation and advised the participants to convince their local chief executives to support the O&M of projects that seeks to project and extend its lifespan after turnover.

“Maintenance is not an aftermath activity but a preventive activity,” said Engr. Ericson T. Mammag, I-BUILD Alternate Component Head of the PRDP National Project Coordination Office (NPCO), who served as the resource person during the training.

“The provincial down to the barangay LGU have roles and responsibilities to play in the O&M Plan and ensure its efficient and effective implementation and management,” he added.

The training covered lectures on the following: Whats and Whys of O&M for FMRs; Who will implement the O&M; When to apply the O&M for FMR; How to do the O&M for FMR; the formulation of O&M re-entry plan; and Road Safety.

After the lecture sessions, the trainees proceeded with the formulation of O&M Plan for their chosen FMR subproject in their respective provinces. On day three, the participants had an actual conduct of Road Condition Survey and Road Safety Audit to the completed Banneng-Gombowoy FMR in Tanudan, Kalinga. Each participant was given a form to accomplish based from the lecture sessions. It was followed by the presentation of their workshop outputs.

Meanwhile, the participants highlighted the involvement of the barangay LGU and the community in the operations and maintenance of FMRs and other infrastructure projects since they are the primary users of the project. Engr. Anna Bilowan of the Kalinga Engineering Office commended the participants for their findings and committed to involve the community in the O&M of the Banneng-Gombowoy FMR as well as the other provincial roads, and improve its O&M Plan.

Capacity building is among the interventions provided by the PRDP where various training courses are conducted. From the preparation of Feasibility Studies and Detailed Engineering Designs; Skills Training; Materials Testing and Quality Control; Geotagging; Construction, Occupation, Health and Safety; and lastly, the O&M for the LGUs, community organizations, and the DA to be strengthened in pursuing rural infrastructure projects. ### (ELVY TAQUIO, DA-PRDP RPCO-CAR InfoACE Unit)

As the group move towards the end of the road project, the participants mark their survey forms according to their observations.

Finally, a group shot at the end of the FMR subproject.

RPCO-CAR I-BUILD Component Head Engr. Gaston B. Cael (L) and PPMIU Head of Kalinga Engr. Domingo A. Bakilan (R), awards the Certificate of Appreciation to Engr. Ericson T. Mammag, NPCO Alternate Component Head for having served as Resource Person during the O&M Training.