Imelda Bonifacio, OPAPP program manager for Eastern Visayas, said
construction firms have abandoned at least three projects for fear of NPA’s
extortion activities and being caught in the crossfire between government
troops and armed rebels.
Citing reports from the Philippine Army, communist rebels have
asked contractors to allocate 10 percent of the project cost to the NPA
movement or else face the consequence of attacks.
“The mere report of their presence discourages implementers to pursue
the projects. These areas are critical and they are scared of being a victim of
crossfires as there are continuing operations in these areas,” Bonifacio said.
On Monday, the Regional Development Council (RDC) has identified
three terminated Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) infrastructure
projects in Samar provinces funded under the 2016 budget of OPAPP.
These are the PHP71-million bridge construction in Motiong, Samar;
PHP114.7-million box culvert construction in Las Navas, Northern Samar; and
PHP192-million road construction also in Las Navas town.
Other than the prevailing peace and order situation, aggravating
the project implementation concern is the absence of access roads,
subcontracting issues, unworkable ground conditions, and lack of manpower and
equipment.
Top officials in Eastern Visayas have elevated to Cabinet
secretaries the discussion on delayed and terminated infrastructure projects
meant for impoverished and conflict-stricken areas on Samar Island.
Members of the RDC, Regional Peace and Order Council and the
Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council deferred on Monday the
approval of the proposed transfer of implementation of delayed projects from
the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the Philippine Army.
In a joint meeting at the city hall here, RDC co-chair Roy Bernard
Fiel said the “best option” to resolve the issue is for DPWH Secretary Mark
Villar, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and
the new Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process to talk about implementation
arrangements.
Lorenzana, who joined the meeting here, vowed to talk to Villar on
the process of transferring the implementation of infrastructure projects.
“It is easier for the Army to carry out terminated and not yet
started projects. We are willing to accept projects in problematic areas,” he
said.
About five PAMANA projects intended for 2018 have yet to start.
Based on RDC records, these are the PHP63.63-million farm-to-market road in
Mapanas, Northern Samar; PHP36.44-million bridge in Mapanas town,
PHP98.5-million road connecting Lope de Vega and Silvino Lobos towns in Northern
Samar, PHP197-million road in Las Navas, Northern Samar; and PHP9.6-million
Villa Conzoilo farm-to-market road in Jaro, Leyte.
Brig. Gen. Ramon Evan Ruiz, commander of the Army’s 53rd
Engineering Brigade, said the projects can be undertaken by two engineering
battalions but their implementation will be scheduled and on selective basis
only due to limitations in equipment and personnel.
“The recurrent problems such as road right of way, access road,
delinquent contractors are to be addressed first by local governments and
national government agencies prior to the transfer,” Ruiz said.
The engineering brigade will also check the program of works to
determine if the remaining funds are enough to finish the projects and if cost
estimate is responsive to the current prices of materials, maintenance, rental
of equipment, and labor.
Ruiz also appealed to speed up the execution of agreement between
the DPWH and Department of National Defense to implement terminated projects.
DPWH Regional Director Nerie Bueno said passing the responsibility
to another agency will further delay the actual construction due to the tedious
process of doing so.
“We understand the need to fast-track these projects, but
terminating a project and giving it to another entity will take at least six
months,” Bueno told council officials.
She added that some projects labeled by the RDC as not yet started
have already been bid out and awarded to winning contractors with good track
records.
The RDC’s discussions on delayed PAMANA projects have started in
the second quarter of this year. Earlier, the body already passed two
resolutions to help expedite the project and conduct problem solving sessions.
PAMANA is the national government’s convergence program that
extends development interventions to isolated, hard-to-reach and
conflict-affected communities, ensuring that they are not left behind. (SQM/PNA)
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