PINUKPUK, Kalinga – The Kalinga Irrigation Management Office (KIMO) ordered the contractor of the P45 million irrigation dam project in Wagod, this municipality, to complete the project by June this year.
KIMO Manager Ronilio Cervantes said FFJJ Construction was ordered to finish the project as planned or settle liquidated and ascertained damages if it fails to meet the deadline.
The irrigation dam is phase II of the Wagod-Ammacian-Taggay Communal Irrigation Project (WATA-CIP) funded under the Small Irrigation Project of the National Irrigation Administration.
Construction of the dam started in June 2018 and targeted to be completed June of this year. Due to some issues, the project was suspended in October 2019 but was lifted to allow the contractor to continue work to meet the deadline, Cervantes said.
As of December last year, Nathaniel Arzadon of KIMO reported a 27 percent accomplishment rate covering cut-off wall/protection wall, foundation of pier, and partial installation of pile sheets. However, construction of the concrete dam and concrete wearing surface has yet to start.
Project implementation was reportedly delayed due to high water level at the site, right-of-way claims, armed conflict between government troops and the New People’s Army, and alleged lack of cooperation of the people as they are not direct beneficiaries.
The National Economic and Development Authority-CAR included the project on its list of problematic projects and under early warning.
Cervantes said the contractor committed to complete the project as targeted.
The Kalinga Provincial Monitoring Team visited the project site recently and will present its findings in the upcoming Provincial Development Council meeting to help address the reasons for the delay. – Peter A. Balocnit
December 2, 2023
