The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is all laid out to exploit more than P3 billion for five years or 1,800 calendar days for asset preservation and maintenance of the Daang Maharlika which stretches from Lipata, Surigao City in Surigao del Norte to Boundary Agusan del Norte Section in Caraga Region.
This project is dubbed as “Hybrid Long Term Performance Based Maintenance Contract (LTPBM), PBM-4 Maharlika Highway Surigao (Lipata) – Boundary Agusan del Norte Section (K1113+500 – K1237+000) Asset Preservation Contract – Preventive Maintenance (APC-PM) Component, JICA L/A No. PH-P247” which contract cost is P3,321,551,974.95 to be exact.
It started in October last year and expected to expire in September 2020.
A total of 123.5 kilometers is covered in this contract implemented under performance-based maintenance (PBM), which is a new concept of road asset preservation designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of road maintenance operations that ensures all physical conditions of the road, is adequate for the need of road users over the entire period of the contract, and compliant to required service levels.
According to DPWH Assistant Secretary Dimas S. Soguilon, who recently visited the region on February 2, 2016 to conduct ocular inspection on operations for the said project, “this concept is a type of contract that significantly expands the role of the contractor, from simple execution of works to the management and preservation of road assets.”
The project is currently implemented by DPWH-Unified Project Management Office (UPMO), but periodically submits report to DPWH-Regional Office 13. Also, a Team is created by virtue of D.O. 76, series of 2016 to monitor and check compliance of the contractor to the levels of service under the maintenance portion of their contract which consists of Representatives from: the Maintenance Section of the District concerned, Maintenance Division of the Regional Office concerned, Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) RUPP, Road Cluster I, JRUPP Consultants; and Bureau of Maintenance.
UPMO Project Engr. Emigio L. De Leon discussed in details the background of the Hybrid LTPBM Contract during the Regional Coordination Conference held at Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
“The major item for this project is asphalt overlay which is equivalent to more than 67% of the total contract cost”, he said.
Program of works for the project includes rehabilitation and minor improvement to maintainable standards of existing pavement, shoulder reformation, cross-fall reinstatement, road safety related improvement, cross drainage improvement work and bridge structure maintenance work.
Performance based works is also included such as maintenance of the carriageway by preventive maintenance work using asphalt concrete overlay with 50 mm – 75 mm thickness, as well as roadside maintenance including drainage and vegetation.
He also informed that twin bridge known as Paypay Bridge in Brgy. Poblacion of Santiago, Agusan del Norte will be reconstructed into four lanes as included in the contract during the initial 18 months of contract period; but the design for the bridge was currently on the process of finalization.
As of April 2015, 2016, the project’s actual rate of accomplishment is at 28.0% and currently expended P933,488,207.52 for 187 calendar days that have elapsed.
This project became feasible from JICA Loan Agreement No. PH-P247 as the fund source.