Iloilo flood control project on target
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the physical targets of the Iloilo Flood Control Project Package 1 and Package 2 are met as of February 8.
Engr. Al Fruto of the Project Management Office (PMO) said both contractors, the Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., and the China International Water and Electric Corp. have been undertaking non-stop work for the project.
Construction on Package 1 with the Hanjin had an actual accomplishment of 42.390 percent as scheduled, and work is picking up with construction of three bridges in Pavia which are almost completed.
For Iloilo City, Engr. Fruto said the on-going construction works include concreting of detour road for Bitoon Bridge, floodway excavation at Tacas Area and for drainage canal centerline at Buhang area, as well as river channel excavation, backfilling of old river channel along Aganan river and others.
Fruto said the problem encountered regarding excavations is the unavailability of disposal area for excess excavations, which are now being addressed with temporary disposal areas.
For Package 2, with the China Int'l. Water, DPWH reported an actual accomplishment of 70.859 percent against the 68.920 percent schedule.
The on-going works include excavation of diversion channel at Upper Ingore Creek, Banuyao section, reshaping of dike embankment side slope along Jaro River Mouth , and the river channel excavation, compaction of gravel bedding, installation of rebars, concrete pouring for bottom slab and leveling concrete of the U-canal at Upper Ingore Creek in the Balabago section.
Fruto said that work is faster with Package 2, in terms of delivery of materials and construction activities and there is the possibility of completing the components this year, ahead of its target which is first quarter of 2009.
He also said budget revisions have been requested for the two packages to cope with inflation, in the contract amount of 1.305 billion pesos from the original amount of 1.194 billion for Package 1 and 556.9 million pesos from the original 507.8 million.
With the on-going works and completion of components, and some revisions in the design Engr. Fruto said ultimately there is a need for more relocation activities which will have to be looked into because as of the moment the relocation areas are almost full.
He added that information and education activities have to be sustained with more specific contents and audiences, as the needs of the affected communities differ based on the status of the project in their areas.
Meanwhile, Project Manager Keigo Ito of the Consulting services for component II of the Iloilo Flood Control Project said it would be helpful if this early the Operations and Maintenance aspects of the whole Flood Control Project should be clearly defined, as to responsibility areas. (PIA 6/ESS)