The official and staff of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development conducted a benchmarking activity in the National Irrigation Administration-(NIA) Regional Office 6 in Iloilo City on May 29, 2024, to learn how they ensure that the stakeholders are well-informed throughout the project from the planning & design and construction phases of the Jalaur River Multistage Project Stage 2 (JRMP2). The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration staff also joined the activity.
The NIA presentations highlighted the agency’s multipartite collaboration and coordination among various national government agencies, local leaders, and community members in effectively managing the project. According to Mr. Steve Cordero, the Watershed Management Chief, and head of the PR Team, the JRMP2 project is not only about multi-sectoral collaboration but also a multi-cultural partnership with the Korean government under the Official Development Assistance grant. Ms. Ruth Cely Jamero, the Institutional Development Division Chief, emphasized the significance of the research studies conducted by the University of the Philippines Visayas in 2014 and 2019 which served as references in making some of the plans of the JRMP2. She also mentioned that getting the right people on board contributes to the overall success of a project. Additionally, lessons learned guide them when they plan and execute new projects.
Mr. Dominador dela Cruz, the Environmental Management Chief, helped answer the queries of the UPV staff about risk assessments and project adherence to laws and regulations.
Prof. Rhodella A. Ibabao, Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development, mentioned that through this activity, the imparted practices and learnings will be used in the improvement of coordination mechanisms with other stakeholders and further enhance the stakeholder engagement policies and practices of UPV for the various infrastructure projects of the university.
Engr. Jonnel Borres, the Acting Regional Manager of NIA- RO6 and the concurrent Project Manager of the JRMP2, sent a message that he hopes to work with UPV on the research endeavors of the project in the future.
