Philippines: RDC OKs Additional Cost for PHUMP Phase III

RDC OKs Additional Cost for PHUMP Phase III

The Regional Development Council (RDC) 3 has passed a resolution endorsing the proposed increase in cost of the Pinatubo Hazard Urgent Mitigation Project (PHUMP) Phase III of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The additional cost of P463.6 million will be incurred due to the existence of implementation concerns both technical and administrative which include the extension and addition of consultation services, price escalation, increase in discharge pipe length, slope protection works at closure dike of the Porac-Gumain River, variation in quantity of embankment sections, construction of another bridge in the City of San Fernando to replace the existing bailey, and to cover the cost of Engineering Administrative Overhead,” RDC Vice Chairman and National Economic and Development Authority regional director Severino Santos explained.

Since the project is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the peso-yen exchange rate differential is also another factor,” Santos added.

PHUMP is among the major engineering interventions initiated in Central Luzon to mitigate the disastrous effects of lahar/mudflow and flooding from the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.

Its Phase III, which started in 2006, focuses on flood control works for the Porac-Gumain River in Pasac delta and the City of San Fernando.

This project phase is divided into two parts: the first deals with the detailed engineering design, preconstruction and construction supervision of flood and mudflow control works in the areas of concern, and contract packages which includes dredging of local channels and major rivers and raising of roads and construction of new bridges.

The monitoring and planning of Non-Structural Measures and Institutional Capability Building (ICab) is also part of the program.

This process will led to the formulation of plans on Watershed Management, Disaster Preparedness and Flood Management, and Land Use Management.

RDC 3 is the highest policy-making body in Central Luzon and serves as the counterpart of the NEDA Board at the subnational level.

It is the primary institution that coordinates and sets the direction of all economic and social development efforts in the region and serves as a forum where local efforts can be related and integrated with national development activities.

Council members include all governors, city mayors, municipal mayors of capital towns, presidents of municipal mayors’ league, regional directors of national government agencies and representatives from the private sector.

[mappress]

Press Release, June 24, 2013