Community-based Partners, their role in ARCP II implementation in Sorsogon

DAR Sorsogon conducted a 2-day ARCP II Capacity Building Seminar on July 8-9, 2014 to 26 members of Operation and Maintenance Committee also known as “Community-based partners” of 13 sub-projects under the Agrarian Reform Communities Project II (ARCP II ) to institutionalize the infrastructure quality monitoring and durability system (IQMDS), and the operation and maintenance (O & M) of rural infrastructure projects.

“Monitoring, operation, and maintenance of the project under ARCP II is part of the agreement between LGU and DAR-ARCP II. The task does not end in the completion of the project only but in maintaining its good quality. Thus, as community-based partners, you have also the responsibility to monitor the project,” said Felix E. Fruto, OIC Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II.

Engr. Jesus Dela Rosa, Regional Technical Coordinator for ARCP II, the resource person reminds the participants how, when, what, and why they have to monitor the infrastructure projects of the government. In the province of Sorsogon, there are six completed ARCP II infrastructure projects that should be monitored and maintained. These are the San Isidro – Nalup-an FMR in Castilla; Multipurpose Building in Casiguran; Sipaya – Calateo FMR in Juban; Solar Dryer in Irosin; Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) in Bulan; and Fabrica – Del Pilar FMR also in Bulan. Meanwhile, the other seven ARCP II infrastructure projects are still on-going. These are the Communal Irrigation System (CIS) in Castilla; Flood Control Phase I & II, and Trece Martirez FMR in Casiguran; Sipaya – Taboc FMR in Juban; Hidhid – Banogao FMR in Matnog; and the Jupi – Dita FMR in Gubat.

“The implementation of these ARCP II sub-projects will end in December 2014 that’s why it is very important to monitor the construction of these to see whether the program of work and the detailed engineering design of the project was followed. After all, you are the one who will sustain it the moment the project was turned-over to you,” said CARPO Liza Repotente to the community-based partners.

The details of Operation and Management was discussed by Lucy S. Vitug who was the resource speaker on the second day wherein she answered the many questions of the participants regarding the ARCP II projects in their area.

“I am very thankful to DAR specially to Ma’am Lucy for leading and guiding me in the preparation of the needed documents from our level up to the national. Without her dedication to service it would be difficult for me to prepare those requirements,” says Wilson Gime, Brgy. Chairperson of Lahong, Bulan, Sorsogon. He is also the current Treasurer of Lahong – Pawa Farmers Irrigators’ Association (LAPAFARA).

This capacity building seminar is indeed a success. The participants expressed their gratitude to DAR for involving them in this activity. While filling-up their action plan (seminar’s output), a follow-through was agreed between them and Maribel Lubiano, the Community-Driven Development (CDD) point person to carry out.