21/09/2026
: ๐๐๐๐ฌ, ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ก-๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐๐จ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง
BAGUIO CITY| Local Government Units (LGUs) and contractors across the Ilocos Region have been urged to step up the implementation of catch-up measures to complete delayed infrastructure subprojects before year-end.
The call was raised during the Department of Agriculture - Regional Project Coordination Office I (DA-RPCO 1) Semi-Annual Assessment and Strategic Action Planning Workshop held on September 21-22, where subproject leads presented and evaluated physical and financial slippages across Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte.
To address these delays, proponent LGUs and contractors were pressed to execute their respective roles aggressively. Both parties were directed to implement recovery measures, such as adjusting work schedules, deploying additional manpower and equipment where necessary, and prioritizing critical, high-impact activities to minimize further slippage.
The push focuses on high-impact logistics assets, including onion cold storage facilities, agricultural warehouses, and bridge networks, all of which are considered essentials for local food producers.
For onion growers, delayed completion of cold storage facilities compels them into distress selling or watching their yields rot due to a lack of local storage. Unfinished bridges likewise force rural communities onto costly, hazardous detour routes, while incomplete warehouses prevent farmer cooperatives from consolidating crops for bulk buyers.
To support LGUs and contractors in executing their recovery plans and resolving operational bottlenecks, DA-RPCO 1 committed to holding regular coordination and management meetings with contractors and local government units.
"Kapag nag-recommend ang PRDP team, itโs not para pahirapan ang LGU and contractor, but to make things better. Kung may concern kayo na gusto niyong i-raise, feel free to raise it with us," urged Anthony Yanes, Rural Infrastructure Specialist.
By holding LGUs and contractors accountable to their project timelines, DA-RPCO 1 aims to ensure that these integrated PRDP subprojects are completed on time without compromising the engineering and safeguard standards required by the World Bank and the Department of Agriculture.
"Sana kung gaano kami kadalas mag-follow-up sa LGU, ganun po sana tayo mag-comply sa mga requirements," added Deo Rivera, Action Officer for PRDP Region I, who noted that proponents will be required to submit signed commitments for their catch-up plans.
Engr. Frederick Agasen, PRDP National Project Coordinating Office (NPCO) Roads and Bridges Specialist, emphasized that weather conditions should not be used as an excuse for project delays, as extensions are routinely granted for bad weather conditions. He stressed that delays stem primarily from inaction on the part of either the contractor or the LGU, underscoring the urgent need for decisive follow-up action.
โHindi naman nagkulang sa support sa LGU ang PRDP. In fact, they are spoonfeeding us with the guidelines and helping us address arising problems. I am just hoping that at our level in the LGU, the assigned staff will proactively do their roles so we can deliver quality outputs. The same goes for the contractors โ they should hire capable people to handle their technical assignments," shared Engr. BG Guillermo of LGU Rosales, Pangasinan.
Around 90 representatives from municipal and provincial LGUs, the PRDP NPCO, and Project Support Offices (PSOs) participated. They are expected to cascade the action points and updates presented throughout the two-day event.
