Iloilo Flood Control Project moving on to operation – DPWH
Despite human, infrastructure and financial setbacks, the Iloilo Flood Control Project is moving on to operation in 2009, said IFCP Information Management Group Head Engr. Jose Al Fruto of the Department of Public Works and highways (DPWH).
Fruto, who is also IFCP Asst. Project Manager, said despite the typhoon Frank losses suffered by the Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Company, Inc., Contract Package 1 contractor, it has achieved a 54.71 percent accomplishment and is coping with the constraints.
For package 2, contractor China International Water and Electric Corporation posted an accomplishment of 82.1 percent, continuing the job with inclusion of some additional works due to the adverse impact of typhoon Frank.
Both the Hanjin and the China International Water had requested for extension of schedule of works as approved by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) until 2010 for the major works to be fully completed.
Fruto said the project on the whole is still in need of some 1.3 billion pesos more for civil works, right of way, construction management and other details.
He said, however, that the financial inadequacy will not prevent the floodway from being finished, only, the project scope, extent, and design, will not be as originally planned.
As to the capacity of the floodway to be able to handle heavy volume of water, like that of typhoon Frank, Engr. Fruto said no floodway so far has ever perfectly contained flooding, but the Iloilo Floodway can surely mitigate flooding, with the water appropriately channeled through the structures.
In preparation for the operation of the floodway, the IFCP has conducted Workshops on Technical Assistance in preparing an Operation and Maintenance Implementation Plan (OMIP), participated in by Project Affected areas in the city, municipal and barangay levels in Iloilo City and the town of Pavia.
Recently, the groups met again to firm up the OMIP, which consisted of Policy enforcement, Institutional Arrangement, Institutional and Capacity Development, Resource Mobilization and Monitoring and Evaluation.
The IFCP IMG Chief said that active, informed participation and a sense of ownership among residents of Project-Affected areas are basic ingredients in the beneficial utilization of the floodway.
The IMG, in a meeting held recently, decided on massive information and education campaigns to involve the stakeholders, as the project gears up for operation. (PIA6/ESS).