CANDAHUG, Palo, Leyte -- Construction of the Cadac-an Flood Control Structure along the right bank of the Cadac-an River Basin in Abuyog, Leyte has suffered significant delays according to the most recent report of the Regional Development Council VIII-Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RDC VIII-RPMC).

The RPMC monitoring team, who inspected the site on 22 July 2021, reported that the project is currently 20.81% completed, with a slippage of negative 14.92%. This means that construction is 14.92% behind schedule.

Work was delayed due to modifications in the project, which reduced the physical target by 61.93%. This led to work suspension equivalent to 42 days while the project modification was on process.

To address the delay, the monitoring team asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) VIII to require the contractor to submit a catch-up plan and closely monitor the implementation of the project to ensure it meets the revised timeline.

The team also recommended that the DPWH VIII practice due diligence in project planning to avoid similar modifications during implementation which results to project delays.

Originally slated to be finished by 18 December 2021, the project is now aiming to be completed by 29 January 2022.

Meanwhile, construction of the flood control structure on the left-side of the river bank was completed on 3 July 2021, ahead of its 10 September target completion.

However, the monitoring team recommended that a 100-linear meter gap in the middle of the previously completed flood control structure, purposely created to allow a small stream to pass through, be filled with an appropriate flood control structure to ensure that flood waters will not cause damage in underlying areas.

They also noted that a backwater feeds into the stream meaning that even if the gap is closed, it will not die out.

Flood control projects in strategic areas are important to ensure the safety of the community. (Article and Photos by: Knulp Aseo, DRD and Erlito H. Vitor, PMED)