| 12th PMB Okays P38 million Farm-to-Market Roads Sets Project course in extension period |
The ARCP Project Management Board (PMB) approved five new road projects totaling P38 million during its 12th meeting on February 16, 2006 at the Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City. The ARCP convened the PMB to deliberate on the five new subprojects and review four others previously approved that required variations in the original workplan and catch up with its global targets. These roads add another 11.13 kilometers to the ARCP accomplishments in access infrastructure. They will benefit some 30,000 residents in Abulug, Cagayan; San Antonio and Quezon in Nueva Ecija; Barbaza, Antique; and Malapatan, Saranggani. The PMB, chaired by Support Services Undersecretary Gerundio C. Madueno on behalf of DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman also discussed the thrusts and directions of the ARCP in the 18-month extension approved by the ADB. Following the presentation of ARCP Project Manager Vince N. Camba, the PMB agreed to the ARCP pln to complete all on-going subprojects, continue and sustain the social processes in RI development in the ARCs and commence phasing-out and long term project sustainability. Extension of deadlines and FOREX adjustments In line with extension, the Board discussed the extension to December 20006 of the date for the last withdrawal application for DAR and the Municipal Development Fund Office (MDFO). The PMB likewise noted the need for the extension of the liquidation of LGU accounts up to May 2007 to give the ARCP and LGUs ample time to complete all documents for project closing. The DAR shall make this request to the Asian Development Bank.PM Camba presented to the Board the concerns of additional costs for RI subprojects in the pipeline due to the effects of the appreciation of the peso against the dollar and the charges due to VAT implementation. He said that the LGUs may have to absorb as part of their equity the additional costs add these cannot be charged to the loan proceeds based on the loan agreement. The PMB then passed a resolution to let the LGU proponents shoulder the cost of the VAT and foreign exchange differential subject to a consultation with the concerned LGUs. Increased performance PM Camba bared that the overall implementation status of the ARCP has significantly increased from 66% in 2004 to 89.6% by the end of 2005, based on the revised Global Targets. He said that the rural infrastructure component is now 73% of its targets.A total of 470 subprojects have been approved for implementation of which 262 have already been completed, while 123 are on-going construction. Meanwhile, Mr. Gil Tuparan, CPMO CID Specialist, led the presentation on the accomplishments in the Development Support component. Approved variations Based on presentation led by ARCP Chief Economist Jay Bertram Lacsamana, the PMB reviews four proposals approved or confirmed by the Board that required variation in cost, scope and implementation mode. The total cost of the San Antonio-Bantoron-Gogon road in Donsol, Sorsogon was reduced from P18.6 million to P11.4 million after the Subproject Approval Committee recommended the re-evaluation of the design and program-of-work of the subproject. The Bongabon Communal Irrigartion Project in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, after being damaged by three typhoons in 2004, needed an additional P6.8 million to complete.Meanwhile, the proponents of the Silway 7 CIP in Plomonok, South Cotabato requested the PMB to approve a change in mode of implementation, opting to have it contracted to private construction firms, in compliance to RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Act. This revision would not entail any significant change in the subproject’s cost. Also, the request made by the Kapatagan, LGU in Lanao del Norte to reduce the physical coverage of the SBS Road network and increase the subproject cost wasa approved by the PMB. ARCP Project manager Vince N. Camba said that the road network proposed by the Provincial government of Lanao del Norte will be maximized when completed because it will cover areas in the DAR Kalahi AR Zone. Phase-out concerns PM Camba said that the Development Support unit shall pursue the strengthening of ARC organizations and work teams through community consultations, dialogues and training to enable the ARC residents implement their operation and maintenance plan. Meanwhile, the Project shall also review the Phase-out plans submitted by the DSR Provincial Offices to initiate mainstreaming and sustainability of SRCP interventions.The PMB meeting was also attended by Director Herminia Fe B. San Juan of the DAR-PDMS-FAPsO, representatives from different agencies assisting the DAR, other bureaus and units of the DAR, league of Provinces of the Philippine, Liga ng mga Barangay and ARMM DAR Regional Assistant Secretary Hadja Bai Cabayan Bacar. The Area projet managers from the Area Project Offices as well as other ARCP consultations and staff also attended the meeting. (by Aldwin M. Addun) |
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