PHESCO INC. SUSTAINS WORK IN SABLAN CIRCUMFERENTIAL ROAD PROJECT

November 20, 2022 Community Billboard

Villagers, traders hopeful for economic progress when project is completed

The Department of Public Works and Highways- Cordillera (DPWH-CAR) said construction works of the
government road project – Sablan Circumferential Road worth P286-M has improved amid the issue of the contractor- Phesco Inc.’s batching plant, critical in the delivery of concrete materials on the project site.
In a telephone interview, Engr. Ismael Dela Cruz of DPWH-CAR, supervising project engineer told Amianan Balita Ngayon, to date project constructors- Phesco Inc./ Silverwolves Construction Corp. have accomplished 73 percent on the project.

“Well, construction works on the circumferential road project has improved,” Dela Cruz said in the vernacular, comparing his report during the October dialogue regarding the issue on the operation of Phesco Inc.’s batching plant in Barangay Bayabas. Actually, Dela Cruz validated the earlier report made
by Phesco Inc. through their Engr. Robertson Bulan, Operation Manager -BLISST Circumferential Project, to this writer regarding the progress of construction works on the government road project.

Villagers, farmers and local traders expressed optimism when the road project is completed it will hasten their mobility , hasten transport of goods and services, and medical needs, thus, improving trade and commerce not only within the BLISTT area but also surrounding towns. They hope and pray locals be permitted to pass on the project site to cut travel time and also trade their products leading to a merrier holiday season.

Furthermore, villagers and traders alike appealed that the issue on the operation of Phesco Inc.’s batching plant be resolved t he soonest possible for public interest. In a related development, regarding the issue on Phesco Inc.’s operation of a batching plant in Sitio Monglo (Brgy. Bayabas), the private contractor through its local legal counsel Lawyer Enrique Palsiw, Jr recently wrote a letter asking Sablan Mayor Alfredo
Dacumos, Jr., allowing Phesco Inc to operate its batching facility in its current location. Based on the obtained letter it states : “ We likewise asked the momentary and continuous operation on the Batching Plant pending the possible relocation so as not to impede or delay the completion of the ongoing project.”

“Unless and until there is a feasibility study conducted by your Honorable Office and its recommendation couple with the non-objection and /or opposition from the residents, our client would be willing enough to make the necessary negotiation with the alleged lot owner. This is without the prejudice however to
continuous operation of the batching plant and negotiations to be conducted with the present Lessor to avoid any liability as a consequence of the pre-termination of the contract of lease,” the letter further states.

Furthermore, Phesco Inc. states:”we are very much aware of the grievances in the operation of the mobile
batching plant. In a recent dialogue,Mayor Dacumos said that he is not against Phesco Inc.’s batching plant in their town but not to its present location -presently located along the Quirino National Highway at Sitio Monglo in Barangay Bayabas. Dacumos stressed that with or without a batching plant in (Sablan), Phesco Inc. should continue the project, clarifying that the municipal govt order in issuing closure order of the batching plant should not be a cause of delay in the completion of the project.

In the same dialogue, Engr Bulan of Phesco Inc. said his company had introduced safety, health measures to safeguard the public and their workers. In other development, an unimpeachable source disclosed that DENR has issued a closure order against the operation of the mobile batching plant. As this developed, Engr Bulan through a text message stated: “ I was just informed today (Nov 17) about the DENR.” He did not comment any further awaiting top management action. Earlier, residents and officials of Barangay Bayabas, together with representative of Phesco Inc. and concern agencies has selected a possible relocation site of the mobile batching plant following a meeting with the Regional Development Council to find a solution on the issue.

Based on the document obtained, on October 13, 2022, Teofilo Anacioco, Punong Barangay of Bayabas wrote Phesco Inc. through Engr. Robertson Bulan, Operation Manager -BLISST Circumferential Project, stating that it can now proceed in negotiating with Mrs Remedios Advincula for the proposed relocation site of its batching facility.

Primo Agatep/ABN