A team composed of Department of Agriculture-Constructors’ Performance Evaluation System (DA-CPES) evaluators successfully completed the assessment of four agricultural infrastructure projects in the Ilocos Region amidst the onslaught of Super Typhoon Carina last July 22-26, 2024.
Led by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), the evaluation team thoroughly inspected the progress of the following projects implemented by the DA-Regional Field Office I:
- Concreting of Sitio Taguiporo, Brgy. Manayon Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in Bangui, Ilocos Norte;
- Installation of Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) in Brgy. Oaig-Upay-Abulao, Paoay, Ilocos Norte;
- Construction of Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives (NSCC) Cold Storage for Onion in Brgy. Alejandro Quirolgico, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur; and
- Improvement of Baay-Baligat Irrigation Canal in Batac City, Ilocos Norte.
The team was composed of Engr. Evander De Guzman from PCAF, Engr. Emmanuel Lanuza from the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering, Engr. Daryl General from the Philippine Rice Research Institute, Engr. Raul Bayangdan Jr. from the DA-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) of Cordillera Administrative Region, and was accompanied by Ilocos Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Chairperson Benjamin Campañano.
The DA-CPES, a rigorous quality control mechanism to ensure efficient and effective utilization of government funds for agricultural infrastructure development, uses the standardized checklist approved by the National Economic and Development Authority. The evaluation team assessed the constructors’ performance based on workmanship, materials, timeliness, resource deployment, facilities, and environmental, safety and health.
Despite the challenges posed by Super Typhoon Carina, the team persevered in conducting a comprehensive onsite inspection, documenting project progress, and identifying areas for improvement. The evaluators held an entry conference on July 22 to outline the evaluation scope and concluded the mission with an exit conference on July 26 to discuss preliminary findings and recommendations.
The final evaluation scores were submitted to the Department of Trade and Industry-Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines and will be forwarded to the Government Procurement Policy Board for public disclosure, reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in public works.
The DA-CPES team’s dedication to their task, even in the face of the typhoon’s threat, highlights the Department’s unwavering support for the agriculture sector and its determination to build resilient and sustainable infrastructure projects for Filipino farmers and fisherfolk. | Text by Joy Camille Luza, with report and photos from PDCD-AFMISS
