Five (5) LGUs with delayed project implementation recently attended the coordination meeting conducted by DILG XII – Project Development Management Unit at the DILG XII Conference Room, Prime Regional Government Center, City of Koronadal.
Said activity was held to discuss the reasons for delay of implementation and seek solutions to ensure that all Locally-Funded Projects under DILG-OPDS covering FYs 2012-2016 must be completed by 31 December 2018.
The meeting was presided by DILG XII Regional Director Reynaldo M. Bungubung, CESO IV. Present during the event were Mayor Vic Paul M. Salarda of the Municipality of Alabel, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators of LGU - Carmen and Maitum, Municipal Engineers of LGU - Carmen, Matalam, Makilala, Alabel and Maitum, Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (MLGOOs) of Carmen, Matalam and Makilala all in the Province of Cotabato and Maitum, Sarangani. Also present during the event is the head of DILG XII – PDMU, Engr. Herminia S. Ontoy, LGOO V together with the DILG Technical Engineer assigned in the area.
Some of the underlying issues tackled were, Termination of Contract due to incurred negative slippages, slow pace of project implementation, substandard materials used by the contractors, poor welding works on the steel columns and base plates, project sites with no available power connection and variation of specifications between the approved plan and the actual project implementation.
It was agreed that LGUs must compel contractors to immediately complete the projects based on the timelines set in the contract. For projects with incurred negative slippages, the LGUs must impose liquidated damages and terminate the contract per Section Nos. 42 and 68 of the IRR of the Government Procurement Reform Act or RA 9184.
RD Bungubung emphasized that all LFPs for FY 2015 and 2016 that can be completed by end of 2018 as indicated in the LGU’s appeal and based on the result of the assessment of the Regional Office, must submit a Notarized Affidavit of Undertaking. In case a project is still unfinished on the date stated in the affidavit, the downloaded fund or national subsidy will be fully reverted to DILG Regional Office and the LGU to complete the projects using its local funds.
