THE Commission on Audit (COA) has urged Benguet’s provincial government to hold to task a private contractor whose work on the P225.873 million Ambakian farm to market road project has been riddled with issues.
An on-site inspection by the COA with the assistance of the COA-Cordillera Administrative Region Technical Services Office (CAR-TSO) in February, along with the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO)’s representatives, found defects and subpar output throughout the road project.
“Structural defects were noted in the ongoing project indicating that work execution was not in accordance with specifications,” the COA said in an audit report on the road project.
Said structural defects included traverse or longitudinal cracks on the road’s concrete pavement, insufficient grout and boulders in the grouted riprap which did not meet specifications, and damaged and clogged catch basins and inlets.
The COA urged the provincial government to hold the contractors to task immediately as the project’s timetable is set to expire.
“With contract duration of 575 calendar days, the target date of the project completion is on April 22, 2022, hence not yet expired. The deficiencies and defective works, if not immediately repaired may result in the fast deterioration of the KM. 49 – Ambakian Farm to Market Road,” the COA said.
According to inspectors, the project, which was inspected in February, was at 75.92 percent completion, translating to some P171.49 million worth of output. Partial payments worth P52.89 million were made in 2021 to the contractor.
The COA also told the PEO to require the contractor to make necessary repairs and improvements to be included in the compliance punch-list before a certificate of completion can be issued.
