KALAHI - CIDSS PROJECTS -DSWD

The stories and information of KALAHI-CIDSS projects, the success and failures.

Based on the evidences and records which I have at hand:

At the time when KALAHI-CIDSS had started, it had occurred on May 9, 2007 when kalahi engineer Steve Abrogar transmitted a letter to LGU engineer Mrs. Nora Cananua informing her that the only lacking in the documents was her signatures for the request for fund release (RFR) and submission to the Department of Social Wefare and Development (DSWD) Regional and National offices and from the World Bank, and then on June 5, 2007 (date verified), the Mayor issued a Memorandum to the LGU engineer Nora Cananua, the excerpt is "You are hereby directed to facilitate the approval of work plans and specifications, program of works of the 14 priority KALAHI-CIDSS project of this municipality on or before June 7, 2007" the signing of voluminous documents, but Nora Cananua was unwilling to cooperate she asked many requirements, documents as per her letter to the deputy area coordinator dated May 10 and May 22, 2007 (date verified).

As theirs best recourse and solution of the problem, the Mayor and Vice Mayor resorted to use me.

Here is the story of the success and failures:

On June 8, 2007 (date verified), the day of the feast of San Antonio the Padua, almost a month after the Local election in May 10, 2007, an event in my father’s house (our house) when the kalahi-cidss Area coordinator Mr. Noel Pesquera and the kalahi engineer Mr. Steve Abrogar went there and we met, by surprise he handed-over his mobile phone to me and then he said to me and I quote! “Mayor Bugna is on the line”, promptly I held his mobile phone and answered, “hello! Mayor good morning!” the Mayor told me, and I quote! “You help them in the process of the documents for the KALAHI-CIDSS projects and you sign the plans, documents.” By these order I was amazed by these RISKY NEW TASKS because I was not aware and well informed of these projects, when in fact and the truth they have their own municipal engineer that has a function and authority to handle those projects. By surprise I answered hastily, “YES! MAYOR” It was because in my senses (my mind) and my feeling (heart) I was then waiting for the HELP of the MAYOR that someday (for the time being on his goodwill) he would open his mind and his generosity to me, as a return for my obedience to him. Consequently, I told the two (2) men of kalahi-cidss that we should meet at my private office at our house, and so, they brought to my office house the voluminous documents for the first (1) CYCLE, which consists of 14 projects (Php 10 Million) for 14 barangays of the municipality of Mondragon. These projects consisted the following;

• 4 units- School Buildings (Dona Lucia-3rooms, Makiwalo-2rooms, Bugko-2rooms, San Antonio-2rooms)
• 2- Footbridges (La Trinidad, Talolora)
• 6 units- Water supply system (Santa Catalina, San Isidro, Cablangan, Nenita, Demaria, San Jose)
• 1unit- Drainage system (Roxas)
• 1 unit- Solar Dryer (Mirador)

Unfortunately, I was not aware that there was these kind of projects about the process and implementations of the said projects, because during barangay assembly meetings I was not invited even a single meeting, I was not informed by the Mayor, by the DSWD-KALAHI-CIDSS personnel for the preparation of those projects, it’s because of their consideration to their LGU municipal engineer (wiseacre engineer, an obstinate, whose purpose was to delay and get five(5%) percent from these projects for her assistance to the engineer, an appointee of the late Mayor Dapulag) favored by her political party, who was then not cooperating to the administration of Mayor Bugna Jr. Consequently, I’ve tried to be compliant to my boss, “Were it not for the Mayor (out of consideration for him).” I sat down and gazed (look long and steadily) these voluminous documents, while the kalahi-cidss engineer one by one scanned the documents, and then he pointed to me the place and space where should be the space I should sign. It was a risky decision (choice, judgment) in my life as a registered professional civil engineer to sign documents which I did not read and peruse the papers and documents I was signing. In my belief that my boss will ultimately open his heart to give me reward and/or should I say” HELP” for a person in need of help.

Accordingly, I closed my two (2) eyes (Pikit MATA ako in local dialect) then I signed the 13 projects for thirteen Barangays and retained one (1) project which I have to review and check plan and estimates for the proposed footbridge for Barangay Talolora, because in my judgement and/or findings it was not planned, drawn as per standard engineering practice, it was drawn by a certain Jeffrey Mangada a draftsman as per request of Kalahi engineer. This draftsman is also professing that he is an Engineer and Architect although he graduated only Bachelor in Technology, major in architectural drafting (No KNOWLEDGE about Reinforced Concrete Design, Structural Timber Design, Structural Steel Design, Engineering Mechanics, Theory of Structures, Strength of Materials (or Mechanics of Materials), Hydraulics and application of these subjects to Structural Analysis and Design), at the University of Eastern Philippines with certificate of passing the TESDA  exam, when he passed after 5 times of TESDA exams and converted this to Sub-Professional eligibility.

Subsequently, after one week they came back to me to follow up the plan, estimates, program of works for my review and signature, so I told them to revise the plans, because it appears, it  does not conforms to the standard engineering practice, the design strength is less than the required strength, I had required them to submit the Structural Analysis (Computations) and Design Calculations, so that, I should have the basis for checking the plans for the design strength of the 11 meters span and 66 meters long concrete footbridge. Hence, they brought back with them the plans and program of work for their revision, because at that time my TASK was just to review and sign the voluminous documents.

Three(3) weeks had passed; on July 8, 2007, they came back again with computer printed structural analysis (Calculations) for my review, it appeared they borrowed from provincial engineering office intended for 5 meters span footbridge, so I checked it and noted my findings and made corrections, I told them the calculations for 5 meters span footbridge is not the same or it would not match with the intended plans for 11 meters span footbridge, bring to me a correct calculations and immediately I will sign it period.”

God is my witness I am not a corrupt engineer, at that point in time I was just apprehensive with my profession, and my license might be put prejudicial. Until such time when they were unable to produce and submit analysis (computations) for the 11 meters span footbridge, and so, it had occurred to them to make a decision to make a deal with me that I will be the one to undertake the ANALYSIS (computations), I had agreed but with a condition that they would pay professional service fee of one and half percent (1.5%) of the project cost (this is a fair and just professional fee for a civil engineer) and this was for the services which I've rendered to them, because I was not the municipal engineer I was only given a meager salary as contractual employee, in fact I was only helping them being used as signatory for their accomplishment, it was their job and task. So therefore, I hurriedly done the analysis (computations) and sketches for the plans, because I was then hoping at that time that they were good people and that they would hold and be faithful to what we had agreed upon, and they promised to me. Unfortunately I was not aware that they were unwilling to pay me; instead they complained and urged the Mayor Bugna that I was asking for payment for my services.

Moreover, I went to Manila for the renewal of my PRC license, when I arrived on August 4, 2007, Mayor Bugna invited me to his residence there I got pressure from him, he asked me, "what happened what is the problem in the documents for the footbridge in Barangay Talolora? Why did you refuse to sign the documents and help the process?" I explained to him slowly with mildness of my voice the reasons why I did not sign the last project of the first cycle, It was because they did not submit the analysis(computations) and they asked me to make the analysis and  because they don’t know they procedure how to prepare, you know Mayor they lack in actual practice. Consequently, I was astonished to his reply the threatening words when he said to me and I quote “Pusilon ta ikaw!" this word he uttered was in local dialect (I'll SHOOT YOU! in english). From then on I was evading his presence because of fear to him. After 4 days on August 8, 2007, he invited me again at his office to sign the document, so I signed promptly telling them in front of the Mayor and kalahi engineer, “Had it not been for the Mayor (out of consideration for him) I will not sign these documents! My only witness is God he knew everything to what had occurred for the first cycle of KALAHI.

On November 20, 2007 after almost 4 months I was surprised again when Matias Cabalitan invited me, he also threatening me to leave them ("Ayaw sa am didi" in local waray waray dialect) if the KALAHI engineers won’t be able to implement the projects when in fact they were implementing at that time the 13 projects for 13 barangays, the construction of said projects were on-going, and I have signed already the plans and program of works for the footbridge in barangay Talolora the #14 project, and there was no need for the analysis (computations) because I signed it already "Ah! maybe they were making some alibis to blame me.

Again on May 2008, the second (2) cycles of kalahi-cidss amounting to Php9, 750473.00 had been submitted to me for my review and signature; the list of the projects are the following;

• 3 units - School buildings ( Imelda-2rooms, Roxas-2rooms, Bagasbas-3rooms),
• 1 unit - Flood control with stone masonry (Chitongcco)
• 1 unit - Drainage canal system (Eco)---this was the project that prompted me to leave my Boss the Mayor (please see the story entitled: Hydraulics, My father and Juan Dela Cruz)
• 2 units - Day care center (San Agustin-1room, Hinabangan-1room)
• 1- Farm to Market road (San Juan)
• 1- River control and landing (Cahicsan)
• 1 unit - Water supply system level 2 (Flormina)

Finally, the third (3) cycles of kalahi-cidss came on March 2009 and it was submitted to me for review in the amount of Php10, 000,000.00); the list of the projects are the following;

On July 23, 2008 (date verified), I had observed that the method of construction for drainage was incorrect, so I looked for the barangay Eco chairman Mr. Marlito Bugna a brother of the Mayor, and then I introduced some suggestions to him, I suggested that they should use engineer's transit or level instrument, but he insisted that, they are just using traditional method only! using plastic leveling hose because there was no funds included in the program of works, I will quote his exact words to me "we are going to use traditional method only! using plastic leveling hose okay na, isn't it?" so I  humbly argued with him, that it is not good to use leveling hose it might result to a problem, because the drainage canal might overflow, I humbly suggested to him that they should use survey instrument, like theodolite or engineer's transit, level instrument, but he said "there is no funding for the survey, the KALAHI would not allow it! Is it not before you are the municipal engineer, but now, you are not!" What a sarcastic remarks? my conjecture I felt insulted, I discerned that he was annoyed of my being persistent. The result was a failure because of shortcoming on his part and to their part.

• 5 units - School buildings (La Trinidad-2-rooms, Flormina-2-rooms, Cablangan-3-rooms, San Jose-2-rooms, Cagmanaba-1-room),
• 1 unit - Fish port building or Bagsakan of fish and agricultural products (Makiwalo),
• 1- Sea wall and river control (Eco),
• 1- Road re-gravelling with stone masonry (Chitongco),
• 1- River control (Roxas),
• 1- Drainage canal system (Hinabangan)

In my discernment and comprehension I have no option to choose but to deal with them and be humble myself, they submitted the 3rd cycles projects to me for review (a formality word "for review") but in reality no review at all because they do not want or allow me that their works be reviewed by me, so again I had closed my two (2) eyes then I signed all the program of works in front of the Mayor, eventhough there were no plans, drawings for seawall and river control, fish port and roads the only available are program of works for my signatures.

Summary of Projects implemented bearing my signatures:

• 12 units -School Buildings- 26 rooms
• 2 units -Day care center buildings- 2 rooms
• 1 unit - Fish port building or bagsakan
• 7 units -Water supply system level 2
• 2 units -Footbridges 80 linear meters
• 3 units -Drainage system 2 kilometers
• 1 - Farm to market road
• 1 - Seawall and river control
• 2 - River control and landing
• 1 - Road regravelling with stone masonry
• 1 - Flood control with stone masonry
• 1 - Solar dryer

Hence, this was the story behind of KALAHI-CIDSS projects which I had signed, for the information and reference of the people who are not well-informed and aware of these projects which I was the sole responsible, sole signatory civil engineer on the part of the local government unit - LGU of Mondragon, Northern Samar, Philippines. I can keep shouting aloud to the people of Mondragon and to the whole world that my education, and my profession was used by the politicians, my kababayan as a whole, because the LGU- municipal engineer who was then not cooperating with the Mayor, recalcitrant, stubborn person, who was then asking five (5%) percent of the project cost for her assistance to the engineer demands, and the Mayor, the Vice Mayor could not compel and coerce her to sign these kalahi-cidss projects (Php30,000,000.00).

Therefore, I challenge everyone Carpenters, Masons, Plumbers, Pastors, Priests, Teachers (Education, Elementary and secondary, Agriculture education graduate), Architectural DRAFTSMAN (BT), Business Administration (commerce graduate), Community Development (CD), AB Political Science graduates, Lawyers, Doctors, Mechanical, Agricultural, Architectural, Electrical, Chemical engineering graduates (ME, AE, EE, CheE), politicians not degree holder to enroll in the College of Civil Engineering at any University and/or college to learn about Civil Engineering.

References: The books below are on the shelves in my Personal Library for additional background information.

1. TREATISE ON HYDRAULICS by Mansfield and Thaddeus Merriman, 1st-1889, 3rd-1890, 4th-1891, 5th-1895, 6th-1898, 7th -1900, 8th edition-1910, 9th edition-1912;
2. A TREATISE ON HYDRAULICS by Henry T. Bovey, 1st edition -1895, 2nd edition-1901 and 1908;
3. A TREATISE ON HYDRAULICS by Hector G. Hughes and Arthur T. Safford -1911;
4. A TREATISE ON HYDRAULICS by William Cawthorne Unwin-1907;
5. HYDRAULICS by Venancio Besavilla -1987;
6. HYDRAULICS by Matias Arreola -1989;
7. HYDRAULICS by Horace W. King and Chester O. Wisler-1922;
8. HYDRAULICS by F. C. Lea -1907;
9. HYDRAULICS by R. L. Daugherty, 1st edition-1916, 2nd edition -1919;
10. Concrete-Steel Construction by Emil Morsch 1910;
11. Reinforced Concrete Construction -Fundamental Principles, volume 1, George A. Hool -1912;
12. Reinforced Concrete Construction -Buildings and Retaining Walls, volume 2, George A. Hool -1913;
13. Reinforced Concrete Construction -Bridges and Culverts, volume 3, by George A. Hool -1916;
14. Handbook of Building Construction volume 1 and 2 by George A. Hool and Nathan C. Johnson-1929;
15. Structural Analysis by Jack C. McCormac and J. K. Nelson, Jr. -1997.

Blog for Unfinished Project in North Samar

UNFINISHED Works...

Timely, the projects in Catubig and Las Navas, Northern Samar, link map, Philippines. These projects are being funded through LOANS from Japan and government of the Philippines;

View Larger Map

A Glimpse of the projects:

First, the Catubig diversion dam and the Canals (completed sometime in June 2010 or May 2011) and the Canals and minor structures are not yet completed as of May 2011, the dam was discovered to have cracks due to flooding last December 2010 as Mr. Deodito Tejero was telling story about the cracks, while drinking beer at the office of Contractor, and had undergone repair works undertaken by HANJIN. On the time while I was there the HANJIN was still constructing the CANALS and some minor structures even the contract was already finished because actually it was not really finished even the consultant the Japanese Mr. Toku was there always visiting and walking on the site as of May 2011;

The construction of Bulao diversion dam and Hagbay diversion dam under contract with HANJIN Industries and Construction Ltd., were terminated, the Bulao diversion Dam was rebid; and then;

Second, the Hagbay diversion Dam project at Sta. Fe, Catubig town, 10 kilometers away from town proper of Las Navas with poor, muddy and inaccessible road to reach the site, had been awarded last July 2, 2010 to prominent Construction company, wherein as of April 18, 2011 having a negative slippage (-16.6%) as per letter of the NIA Administrator and was subject for termination already, because the sub-contractor and the engineers (Mr. Danilo Maderazo, magna cum laude, former Professor of civil engineering at Divine Word University, former reviewer of Salazar engineering review center, first placer in the Geodetic engineers licensure exam, my professor) from Tacloban City and Enzo construction from Catbalogan Western Samar, had abandoned and left the Hagbay dam project, because when they made their "EVALUATION daw" they marked him as having No sufficient experiences in dam construction, and inadequate qualifications.

Hence, the main contractor/construction has resorted to get a new sub-contractor from Catarman Northern Samar, henceforth, a protégé of Politicians or (we don't KNOW who are their back-ups?), had accepted the sub-con contract from construction, this sub-contractor did not make a clearer view, thorough study and did not make detailed estimates of the contract design plans, the works to be done, namely; major structures (DAM structures), bridge structure, minor structures (drainage canals, irrigation canals with access road and/or service road with the same length of the irrigation canals length (14.2 km.), intake boxes, crossing pipes, the length of drainage canals, etc. The sub-contractor is not a civil engineer but unlicensed mechanical graduate, bully, prideful and CRAFTY person, a new contractor one and 1/2 (1.5 year), Mr. Rikki Rubenecia. Unfortunately, he accepted the sub-con contract amount out of ph231 Millions total contract amount by the main contractor, which is very obvious by a simple mind and layman analysis and understanding, that the sub-contract amount is only (?) of the total contract amount. hence, the projects would be finished using sub-standard materials and low quality project with the amount accepted by the sub-contractor.

Here are the crucial parts of my study and OBSERVATIONS:

I was too inquisitive and become curious, enquiring, why they were very prideful of their design, so I used my time to delve into details, in my in depth study of the design plans of the said projects, I discovered that the reinforced concrete design of the DAM Structures and Bridge Structures were not accurate as being bragged by the NIA engineers. If you read this blogpost it's a big question mark why?"a civil engineer also had worked there from year 2007 to June 2010 as one of the engineers and CAD operator". Accordingly, I was able to retrieve the Excel files of Danilo De Asis containing the Spreadsheets for DAM structures and Bridge Structures, namely; Catubig dam, Pinipisakan Bridge Flume, Hagbay dam and service Bridge, Bulao dam structural analysis and design computations. I reviewed and checked the spreadsheets calculations and the results are not good as being show off and pridefully bragged by Mr. Danilo de Asis, Prisco O. Boco III and Dennis Lozano. I discovered when I checked that the Chief designer Prisco O. Boco III and Amadeo Montejo had made mistakes in the applications of formulas and assumptions for Bridge Columns, Barrages piers, Sluice piers, T-Beams, R-Beams, Slabs; These are not altered copies all of these are authentic.

Hagbay Bridge Design using Spreadsheet, with Omega, w= 0.18, an Old Standard

Side Elevation of Bridge - 20 meters long

Section Detail of Hagbay Bridge included in the Hagbay Dam construction

Bridge Beam Rebars Details, adopted an OLD methods, using 45 degrees bent -up at L/4, the splice points were not considered to conform with new detailing method

Side view Detail of Rebars, using 45 degrees bent -up of main bars clearly an OLD Method of Detailing

They used Old standard, omega, w =0.18 and rho =0.18f'c/fy for control of deflection, clearly an old standard ACI 318-1963 Code provision, Chapter 15, section 1507-Control of Deflections, used until 1970 as midrange percentage reinforcement, rho=As/bd =0.18f'c/fy (although it is not distinctly advantageous value as per Prof. Phil M. Ferguson, Prof. John Breen and Prof. James O. Jirsa commented in their book reinforced concrete fundamentals, Prof. J. Jirsa- ACI 318 Code committee member, and Professor of University of Texas), which was evidently DISCARDED from the Code, ACI 318-1971 Code, also discarded in all publications of ACI 318 Code from 1977 to 2011, obviously more than 40 years time had elapsed already. The ACI 435-Control of Deflections in Concrete Structures, has recommended a limiting values of steel ratio, rho (0.25*rhobal to 0.35*rhobal), also recommended the Minimum thickness of Beams and One-Way in Roof and Floor construction.

At the Introduction page of the ACI code states ACI (1977) and ACI318-2011 was adopted as a standard of the ACI to SUPERSEDE ACI old editions in accordance with the institute's standardization procedure.

References:
Reinforced Concrete Fundamentals, Prof. John Breen, Prof. James O. Jirsa-1987;
Handbook of Concrete Engineering by Mark Fintel, Dan Branson-P.E., Ph.D.- 2nd edition-1985;
ACI Committee 435-Control of Deflections in Concrete Structures-1978;
Design Concrete Structures by Park and Paulay-1974;
Reinforced Concrete Design by Noel Everard, MSCE, Ph.D. and Tanner, University of Texas-1966.

The LOAD COMBINATION THEY USED was Working Stress Design (WSD), Group III and VII of the AASHO 1961-1974 editions and they combined with load factors used by ACI 318;

Group III = 1.4DL + 1.7*( LL + Impact)

Group VII = D + E + B + SF + EQ

The Load factor is equal to 1.3 for dead load NOT Equal to 1.4.

The Load Factor equal to 1.7 for Live Load is not correct, because this is applicable only to Gravity Loads for vertical structures and not applicable to TRUCK MOVING LOADS for bridges, the correct LOAD FACTOR (LF) is equal to =2.2, as per ACI 343R-95-Analysis and Design of Reinforced Concrete Bridge structures and NSCP v2-1997, also as per AASTHO-1973-Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges. 

According to AASHTO -11th ed.-1975 to 16th ed.-1996 and 17th edition-2002, Load Factor Design, Group III and VII Load Combination are;

Group III = 1.3D + 2.2*( L +I )n....., and

Group VII =y[ beta(e) *D + beta(e)*E + B + SF +EQ]

References:
AASHTO-1973-11th edition;
AASHTO-1992-15th edition, 1996-16th edition, 2002-17th edition;
AASHTO-LRFD-2004, 2007, 2010, 2012;
ACI 343- Analysis and Design of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Structures-1995;
NSCP V2- Bridges, 2nd edition-1997

The Strength Reduction factor equal to phi =0.7 for Compression members (columns and also beams which are in compression control) which was applicable up through the ACI 318-99 Code, they have been changed to phi =0.65 for compression control members, beginning with ACI318-2002 Code and continuing with the ACI318-2005 and ACI318-2011 up to present... Let me educate you people there...!!! The standards you are using should be updated..

ACI 318-1963, published on June 1963

First, he used the OLD ACI 1963, 1971 and parts of 1983 ACI 318 codes as per Books by V. Besavilla, Jr., who cited the 1983 ACI Code (with due respect to Besavilla), which are very obvious an obsolete ACI codes, in which undergo major revisions every six (6) years and minor revisions in between.

Fig. 2a Pier Load calculation using 50% of 20 tonnes truck load

Fig. 2b Pier moving load analysis using 50% of  10 tonnes truck loads

Second, they used the AASHTO specifications (american association of state highway and transportation officials), the HS 20-1944 -8,000 lbs for front axle and 32,000 lbs for rear axles load and HS 10-1944 -4000 lbs front axle, 16000 lbs rear axle; in my review of their design they used only 50% of 20 tonnes and 10 tonnes truck load for the piers and columns analysis. Whereas, they used 100% of 20 tonnes and 10 tonnes truck load (HS 20, HS 10) for girders designs, which was a GREAT BLUNDER in design load calculations.

Hence, the Girders are stronger than Piers/columns. Fig. 2a and 2b; Screen shot for their load calculations.

Third, consequently he inadvertently applied erroneous formulas for the variables “C” distances from the neutral axes to the compression concrete fiber, which had resulted a bigger and negative (-) values for the theoretical Strength Design Capacity, ϕPn and ϕMn for the Columns and/or Piers of Dams (Barrages, Sluices) and service Bridges Piers, which he noted DISCARD design. How could a design calculation be discarded if all assumptions of the designs were accurate? I verified the calculations and made my conclusion, viz:

1. The strain compatibility analysis was not done correctly;
2. ϕPn is NEGATIVE it means the load is axially upward (tension);
3. The variable "C" is negative(-), the distance from neutral axis to extreme compression fiber of concrete meaning variable "C" is outside the section diagram.

My comment:

variable 'C" must not be negative value, and never become a negative value!

Why don't they used the NEW ACI CODE PROVISIONS, if they are well experienced engineers with many work experiences as they bragged. As a SUGGESTION to them! USE the NEW ACI CODE provisions to SHOW OFF to others that they are well equipped with new weapons and ammunition (NEW STANDARDS, Codes). So, if they need NEW ACI318 CODE I have a copy of the latest ACI318 Code-2011 edition...! The AASHTO-2010 Bridge Design specifications..! The ACI Manual of Concrete Practice 2008 edition, six (6) volumes.

Therefore, the design is absurd! Why? Because the application of formulas was erroneous. please see the screen shot below.

Fig. 3 value of "C" and "fs" are negative -by PRISCO BOCO III

Fig. 4 value of C , Pny and fs are negative-design by PRISCO BOCO III

Pinipisakan Bridge Profile and  Side Elevation

Pier #3 Design by Prisco Boco, III compared /checked to his Calculation 

Subsequently, I tried to check, correct and rectify the applications of the formulas he used, hence, I have corrected the values and answers, which I have compared with the examples presented in the books of Venancio Besavilla (author-Reinforced Concrete Design) and Prof. A. H. Nilson, PhD., C. K. Wang, PhD. and C. G. Salmon, PhD. , Prof. Emeritus-Phil. Ferguson and Prof. James O. Jirsa-University of Texas (authors -reinforced concrete books), and I have also applied the ACI 318 Code-2005 and ACI 318 Code-2008 Codes, ACI Design Handbook, volume 2 -1997 (American Concrete Institutes) which I have latest copies, because I am a RECOGNIZED MEMBER of ACI..

There are three methods in the analysis and design of concrete columns as discussed by Chu-Kia Wang in his book reinforced concrete design, namely;

1. Principles of statics;
2. Non-dimensional strength interaction diagram (ACI design handbook, vol.2); and
3. Approximate method using Whitney formula.

I will not discussed anymore these methods of design calculations but I suggest to them to read these design books. In view of the fact that engineering education in the Philippines is American oriented.

The Engineers are not permanent employees of NIA–HCAAP(PMO), they are all casuals and job orders employees, co-terminus. The engineers are being hired and employed thru politicians (palakasan system or with recommendation) the Politicians (who..?) or PM.

Mr. Danilo de Asis a graduate of BSCE on 2001, at the University of Eastern Philippines (UEP-Catarman Northern Samar) he replaced Mr. Prisco O. Boco III, as chief for operations who was transferred to regional office Tacloban City, although Mr. Danilo De Asis had worked for 9 years in NIA-HCAAP still he is inexperienced in design and construction, Dennis Losano a young engineer also. The Project Engineer Mr. David Irorita (BSCE) he is a good man, a man of few words, Asst. PE Buenaventura Poso (BSCE 2003) a good man also, the project -in charge Deodito Tejero (BSCE) from Biri Northern Samar a good man also (but effeminate-vicious-man engineer he often ask for allowance). Most of the engineers are younger than I am, why because when they enrolled civil engineering in UEP sometime in 1995 and 1996, I was a registered civil engineer already in 1991-1992, and had worked as Assistant Project engineer and Materials engineer in the construction of Catarman Bridge (232 linear meters) and by-pass road (6 kilometers), project cost was 110 millions pesos; and then transferred to LGU engineer (government). I have no resentment to those persons I mentioned, but people inside their ranks who wanted to belittle and degrade others, have questioned the integrity and credibility of others, must be very careful in judging others. As the Bible says! Matthew 7:2 "For with what judgement you are JUDGING, YOU will be judged; and with the MEASURE that YOU are MEASURING out, they will MEASURE out to YOU.

Unfriendly, the Project Manager Mr. Reinerio Irinco an Agricultural Engineering (BSAE) graduate and Mr. Danilo de Asis and others were saying that the contractor’s engineers are still young and inexperienced engineers. Mr. Reinerio Irinco was unaware of the facts that design calculations done by them was erroneous.

When meeting was held, Mr. Reinerio Irinco suggested that the contractor should hire engineers, having age ranging from 50 to 80 years old and having experiences of more than 10 years in dam construction, office engineer, and earthwork supervisor to supervise a project 10 kilometers away from town proper of Las Navas, Philippines, and he urged that the contractor must put funding to expedite the construction, and warned us that within 3 months (starting/beginning June 27, 2011) if there is no substantial accomplishment in major item of works, he will recommend that the contract will be terminated, I quote "You tell your boss (?) to put funds and hire more engineers with experience, surveyors, materials, and then he said! we will consider the experiences and qualifications of the engineers as per submitted RESUME'" Precisely! I agreed to him, he has experienced in managing projects as retirable engineer, but not in Design..! I admire him being an OLD Agricultural Engineer, also, the consultant Mr. Teopilo Malicse an old engineer who were using old standards (as old as their ages). I heard many feed backs from reliable sources (during bidding of some minor works at the HCAAP-PMO Catarman) that engineers included in the Organization Chart by JD Legaspi were inexperienced. Even Carpio reacted about the words uttered by them, when we had a meeting. He said! I quote "you have the same education, you are all civil engineers." Parehas lang kayo mga engineers in local dialect.

Hence, Pride is more powerful and dangerous than humility, and indeed! we are just hired and being displayed by Mr. Eking Rubinicia, because Mr. Rubinicia is not experienced contractor and not a civil engineer, HE is just a sub-contractor of this project being used by somebody (who?). The problem was on the side of the main contractor who let inexperienced person (like Mr. Rubinicia) to handle this multi-million project and then pretended to be experienced and could not defend his engineers from prideful engineers who supervise these simple projects. Nobody could withstand the hardship because the means of transportation is "WALKING" in a muddy, rough road and motorcycle back ride to reach the site, a far flung barangay Sta. Fe, Catubig, we went there on foot for the whole 6 kilometers on June 11, 2011. I am hoping that they could pressure the sub-contractor to do by all means to finish this son of a gun projects, and headache projects, so to speak. "BATO-BATO sa LANGIT ang TAMAAN ay HUWAG MAGALIT", "we are engineers not soldiers". We let our temper burst out like a gun, and then pull the trigger, because your ego, and our pride was hit by somebody..!

On the 3rd week (23-24) of June 2011, Secretary Proceso Alcala of the Department of Agriculture visited the site and conducted ocular inspection for the Catubig Dam and other projects (HCAAP-NIA), HE WAS SURPRISED why the project was still unfinished,  and made comments, he even shouted to the engineers, the consultants, HCAAP personnel, because they said that the projects are LOAN granted by Japan Bank International Cooperation, but Sec. Alcala answered the LOANS are being paid by the government, not purely given to the Philippines.

The projects were jointly funded by the Government of the Philippines and Government of Japan which involve millions of US Dollar and millions Philippine Pesos only to find out that the DESIGN were not accurate and erroneous application of design formulas. And to find out that the road was not constructed in good conscience. Politics is more powerful than knowledge and experiences.

Moreover, my feet and hands were embedded up to the knee level (nabaon ang paa ko hanggang tuhod) in the muddy road which was also a FMR project of NIA-HCAAP reported 100% completed as of 2008, this BULAO Farm to Market Road (FMR) was implemented by the Provincial engineering office with the supervision of JICA Consultants (JV of CONSULTANTS for HCAAP), this 7.10 kilometers FMR Project was Php 64 millions, but until now it's inaccessible and muddy road, I was surprised why the HCAAP (PMO) accepted 100% completed this Farm to Market Road. Only few people knew the real story behind the acceptance. Why? I met the former Mayor and now the incumbent Vice Mayor of Las Navas, he told me the real story behind, he could not complain to higher authority because he said he does like to quarrel with the gods in the province, and he said!  I inserted PICTURES with dates as of December 3, 2010 to May 20, 2011, to present clear evidence, because they will deny these FACTS.

PH 64 millions 7.1 kilometers BULAO Farm to Market Road, DATE is DECEMBER 03, 2010, YOU can not deny this Mr. Johnny- A CLEAR EVIDENCE PICTURE

As an advice, I suggested to Mr. Gilbert Frincillo (graduate from Leyte Institute of Technology-Tacloban City), who is also ignorant or maybe he forgot the concrete design, engineer of the main contractor to hire from Harvard University (USA), University of Illinois (USA), Cornell University (USA) to employ engineers good in design, then if they could not find, and hire from Harvard University, Illinois, California University and Cornell University, my advice is to hire elsewhere;"JOKE ONLY" "Bato-Bato sa Langit ang tamaan huwag magalit". HIRE from University of Eastern Philippines UEP-Catarman N. Samar) as what the HCAAP (PMO) did! like for instance they hired Mr. Danilo de Asis- BSCE 2001, Dennis Lozano (BSCE) graduated from University of Eastern Philippines (UEP- Catarman, N. Samar) having puffed up with pride and pedantic (in local dialect "nagdunong-dunongan"), with little knowledge or they forgot what they studied in concrete design, bridge analysis or may be they don't research the new ACI Code, or maybe they were absent during their CLASSES, and frankly speaking inexperienced engineer, all of them are protege of Mr. Irinco. Sorry to utter hostile comments to them, I hoped that congressman Daza will be awakened of this observation. THESE ARE NOT SELF SERVING COMMENTS, THIS IS FACTUAL OBSERVATION with EVIDENCE.

To show their design Calculations, I am posting screen shot taken from their protected spreadsheets and photos proof of their mistakes for anyone to review.

Screen shot for DISCARD Design due to Negative "C" or small eccentricity

Discard design by Prisco O. Boco III

Screen shot for Strain diagram and C calculation

Catubig Dam -2 gates only but having errors in design e.g. C distance and Strength Capacity

Screen shot Catubig Dam having errors in Strength Capacity -Pn- calculations

REBID BULAO DAM (LEFT UNFINISHED BY HANJIN Industries and Construction Ltd.)

DESIGNERS for BARRAGE DAMS and SLUICES PIERS, BRIDGE FLUMES, SERVICE BRIDGES, should have undergone training and seminars in structural analysis, concrete designs before become prideful, haughty engineers and eventually become HUMBLE in the eyes of GOD and to men.

Post Script:

They are showing in their reports and blog (Jhonny) some good pictures like the bridge in Las Navas which was designed and implemented by DPWH and supervised by Engineer Manuel "Sam" Uy from BOC-DPWH, Regional Office (R8), construction division, Engr. Uy was my co-worker in Oras Bridge, Oras Eastern Samar, Philippines, because this Las Navas highway bridge was DPWH project component under the HCAAP-NIA. Bid out on December 29, 2005, the bid amount was Php448 Million plus, implemented and supervised by DPWH central office and Construction division Region 8. Hence, Mr. Johnny, and other engineers showed pictures of this bridge, because they wanted to cover up their blunders in designed, failures and supervising these projects and be PRAISED by their administrator, director and the Provincial government.

The recent updates of these projects are good; The Project Manager Mr. Irinco had been transferred to NIA Central Office, then retired from government service, and Mr. Danilo De Asis had resigned from HCAAP.

To inform and speak to the persons who read this blogpost and made COMMENTS:

About the author of this blog..!

He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE);
He is a member of American Concrete Institute (ACI);

First, He worked as Project Engineer in the Construction of Oras Bridges 1 and 2, Oras Eastern Samar a Bored Pile Bridge (50 meters depth per bored pile, f'c =3000 psi) and Post-Tensioned girders (f'c =5,000 psi, 30 meters long girders), having a total length of 540 meters long (12 spans and 6 spans, 30 meters per span, this bridge was the first of it's kind, a bored piles bridge in region 8 when it was constructed in 1996 to 2000; under the supervision of the Bureau of Construction-BOC-DPWH Central office and DPWH -Regional office, Region VIII (8); under contract with BALM Construction, Co., Inc.

Oras Bridge -12 Spans

Second, he worked as Assistant Project Engineer and Material Engineer in the Construction of Catarman Bridge 232 meters long (8 spans, 28.4 meters long girders, f'c =5,000 psi), in 1992 to 1995 under the supervision of PADAP-SIRDP-Philippine Australian Development Assistance Program-Samar Integrated Rural development projects, this was a foreign assisted project; under Contract with BALM Construction, Co., Inc.

Catarman Bridge 8-spans

Catarman Bridge

Catarman Bridge

Then third, at the same time, he worked as material engineer in the construction of Jubasan bridge, ALLEN N. Samar, under PJHL-Philippine JAPAN Highway Loan- foreign assisted project; under Contract with BALM Construction, Co., Inc.

BALM Construction was the same contractor who constructed the 6-BRIDGES in Mondragon-Pambujan by-pass road (14 kilometers road), viz.; Mondragon Bridge (1984 -1987), Mondragon-Bugko Bridge (1986 -1987), Mondragon-Bagasbas -2 Bridges (1987); Pambujan Bridge (1988 to 1990); 1-bridge in San Roque N. Samar; and then Basiad Bridge in Bicol (1996 to 1998), Sipukot Bridge in Bicol, and more bridges, etc.