NEDA’s Q1 report lists 46 delayed projects in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, June 20 (PNA) -– Implementation of 46 projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been delayed during the first quarter of 2016, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) said in its report released on Monday.

The infrastructure projects incurred a minimum of 15 percent “negative slippage” from January to March this year, according to NEDA’s Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation System (RPMES) report.

These projects consist of roads, bridges and irrigation systems with allocations ranging from PHP2 million to more than PHP200 million.

The PHP237.69-million Bangon river flood control revetment in Palo, Leyte has been rated as the most delayed project in the region with a negative slippage of 75 percent. The project has been suspended since November last year due to revision of plans and road right of way acquisition issues.

Second on the list is the PHP63.59-million Circumferential Road in Biliran province with a negative slippage of 48 percent. The NEDA confirmed that there was no activity for the project during the first three months of the year.

Also in Biliran province, another delayed project is the PHP100 million Higatangan Circumferential Road, which is 42.64 percent behind schedule. Fourth on the list is the PHP212.67 million Ormoc Diversion Road upgrading with a negative slippage of 61 percent. Both projects are now ongoing.

Road right of way acquisition has suspended the PHP199.93 million Tacloban City by-pass road, which has a negative slippage of 22.92 percent as of end of March 2016.

Majority of the remaining 46 projects have been interrupted by resistance of landowners whose properties have to be acquired by the government, contractor’s capacity, and unworkable condition due to recent typhoons.

About 17 of these 46 projects were temporarily suspended with a combined cost of PHP339.44 million.

DPWH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Edgar Tabacon said they are trying to address all implementation concerns.

“We have ordered our field engineers to step up the monitoring of existing projects, revise construction plans if needed, conduct a dialogue with landowners, and remind contractors of their obligations,” Tabacon said.

The Regional Project Monitoring Committee headed by NEDA has monitored 1,618 projects in Eastern Visayas worth PHP22.56 billion from January to March 2016. About 875 of these are completed, 723 are ongoing, 17 are suspended, two are recommended for termination and three were already terminated.

“The completed projects had a total cost of PHP5.42 billion, representing 19 percent of the region’s total. These completed projects were funded by the national government and represents 54 percent of the total number of projects,” said NEDA Regional Director Bonifacio Uy.

Ongoing projects had a total cost of PHP22.56 billion, which accounts 80 percent of the region’s total public investment. Of the total, PHP7.87 billion are grants from the US government and Asian Development Bank Loan.

These projects are roads and bridges by the DPWH, irrigation system by the National Irrigation Administration, local government units structures by the Department of the Interior and Local Government funded through the Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda. (PNA)

FFC/SQM