Big improvement in quality of projects noted; inspections to go on

The city government has noted vast improvement in the quality of infrastructure projects being implemented in the city since monitoring and inspections were institutionalized with Mayor Benjamin Magalong himself at the helm.

City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Pena who co-leads the inspections with concerned city offices said a total of 42 rounds of inspections had been conducted since 2019 and they began to see improvement in project workmanship on the 13th round.

“At first particularly during the first 12 rounds of inspections, most projects that we checked had been substandard so that majority failed the final inspection but from the 13th up to now, we are happy to note that 100 percent of the projects had passed and therefore issued acceptance by the city government,” Dela Pena said.

Mayor Magalong said this is a clear indication that contractors have developed a “change in mindset” in that they are now conscious of following project specifications and of producing quality output.  He hopes that will develop into genuine concern for the end users of the project more than for profit.

The mayor said project contractors had always been reminded of the administration’s thrust for a transparent and corruption-free project implementation so that they will earn their keep and thus will have no reason to shortchange the government.

“Kung walang kalokohan, kikita na kayo at masaya pa kayo sa resulta ng trabaho nyo so what we are just asking in return is please give us quality project,” the mayor said. 

Dela Pena said inspections for the high impact projects such as the youth convergence and sports complex, socialized housing, barangay hall projects and the like are done weekly to monitor the accomplishments and adherence to the project specifications.

Regular city-funded projects are scheduled for final inspection by the City Buildings and Architecture Office under Arch. Johnny Degay, City Engineering Office under Engr. Edgar Victorio Olpindo and City Environment and Parks Management Office under Atty. Rhenan Diwas and other implementing offices. 

The city is also part of the final inspections of city road and other projects funded by the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) but not in national roads and other projects under the jurisdiction of the DPWH. – Aileen P. Refuerzo