DPWH to penalize San Lorenzo Bridge contractor for delay

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff reporter

San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte—The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to penalize AJ Taylan Construction after it was not able to complete the San Lorenzo Bridge construction on the date of supposed completion which should have been on February 27, 2015.

DPWH 2^nd engineering district engineer Mathias Malenab said his office already sent a letter to the contractor stating further some of the violations they made.

Record shows that the said bridge should have been completed on February 27 and based on Republic Act 9184 provisions or the Procurement Act, penalties will be applied for every day of delay starting February 27, 2015.

Engr. Malenab said that the penalty will continue until the bridge is completed; he however said he cannot remember the penalty computation.

As of press time, only one lane on the western portion of the bridge and its approaches are open for vehicles.

Relative to this, Engr. Malenab warned all the winning bidders and contractors to complete their projects ahead of time or within the completion date or else the provisions of RA 9184 will be applied.

The San Lorenzo Bridge project started March 2014.

Trees to be cut

IN a related development, Engr. Mathias Malenab announced that the local chief executives of Currimao, Badoc and San Nicolas have already submitted their respective resolutions allowing the DPWH for the cutting of trees that would affected by their projects.

Likewise, barangay resolutions were also approved by the affected barangays on the road-widening projects in the said municipalities.

This also includes a certification coming from Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos allowing only some trees to be cut and excluding are century-old trees.

All the resolutions and certifications, Engr. Malenab said will be furnished to the DPWH central office for endorsement to the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for final approval.

Of the 60 proposed trees to be cut, only 46 trees were allowed to be cut and the rest will remain.

In San Nicolas, no trees were recommended for cutting but privately owned fences will be affected in the road widening.

With the on-going DPWH road-widening projects, Engr. Malenab assures no heavy traffic would be caused because the two existing lanes are operational and only the shoulder of the road will be affected.