Tabuk City, Kalinga - The fears of the Kalinga and Apayao Religious Sector Association (KARSA) and the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM) that the controversial P2M farm-to-market road rehabilitation project in Pinucoc, Pinukpuk, this province, will be paid even if not completed are unfounded. This was the reaction of Engr. Teodoro Owek, the District CARP Coordinator, to the joint resolution of the two groups alleging that the project is grossly deficient in quantity and quantity and requesting that the DPWH not to pay the project until such time the specifications are fully complied with.
"There is no way the final payment of the project could be made without their knowledge because the end user and the PARCCOM are signatories to the turnover and acceptance which is a compulsory requirement for final payment," Owek stressed.
Owek dismissed the fears of the two groups as baseless because they will be part of the team to conduct the final inspection of the project.
As to the claim of the group tot only 42 percent, 11 percent, 32 percent and 50 percent of the embankment, aggregate sub-base course, grouted riprap and billboard items of the P2M project, respectively, were accomplished at the time they monitored the project on November 23 when the contractor was already allegedly requesting for final inspection, Owek said that that is still to be looked into by the district's inspectorate team.
"That is for further evaluation because the contractor has a different claim. The contractor has requested for further evaluation," Owek said even as he assured that the DPWH and the contractor are willing to abide by the recommendation of the KARSA and the PARCCOM for the completion of the project before final payment.
He also assured that the project has not yet been paid in full as to date, the contractor still has to be paid 30 percent of the project cost inclusive of the standard 10 percent retention. **By Estanisldo Albano Jr.
"There is no way the final payment of the project could be made without their knowledge because the end user and the PARCCOM are signatories to the turnover and acceptance which is a compulsory requirement for final payment," Owek stressed.
Owek dismissed the fears of the two groups as baseless because they will be part of the team to conduct the final inspection of the project.
As to the claim of the group tot only 42 percent, 11 percent, 32 percent and 50 percent of the embankment, aggregate sub-base course, grouted riprap and billboard items of the P2M project, respectively, were accomplished at the time they monitored the project on November 23 when the contractor was already allegedly requesting for final inspection, Owek said that that is still to be looked into by the district's inspectorate team.
"That is for further evaluation because the contractor has a different claim. The contractor has requested for further evaluation," Owek said even as he assured that the DPWH and the contractor are willing to abide by the recommendation of the KARSA and the PARCCOM for the completion of the project before final payment.
He also assured that the project has not yet been paid in full as to date, the contractor still has to be paid 30 percent of the project cost inclusive of the standard 10 percent retention. **By Estanisldo Albano Jr.
My being a newbie in the arena has not deterred my strong determination to fulfil the development thrusts especially the PEACE vision I have outlined upon my assumption into office. Of course the road has been rough and tough considering the complicated situation that I have been through right from the start, but against all these odds, and with your usual support, we have been able to start it right rowing towards a common direction that fits our vision for a better Kalinga. With full humility, allow me then to present some highlights on my first 100 days in office.