DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS SOUTH COTABATO 2 ND DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE TINDALO ST., BALITE, BRGY. LAGAO, GENERAL SANTOS CITY (WEEK 3, JUNE 29-30, 2017)
JOVAN S. BUCOL
Department of Public Works and Highways| On-the-job Training
For the past two weeks in our internship, we learned a lot especially about being a contractor and about construction. However, we didn’t want it to stop right there. We were tasked to observe the whole duration of the road concreting in Brgy. West. Most of the time, we just sit there and chat. Work done each day is quite slow since it’s construction. Although it’s part of being a project engineer, we weren’t satisfied of the learning that we’ll get. It’s true that this
Figure 1 Facade of the new DPWH-DEO II Building at Tindalo St., Balite, Brgy.
Lagao
might be our future work if we’ll be hired in private firms, but as students, we want to expand our learning. Thus, we decided to transfer to a government office, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Being in DPWH means that we’ll get to work in its four sections: Planning and Design, Quality Assurance, Maintenance and Construction. We had no problem in transferring since we were supposed to have our training
there.
We
already
had
our
documents and we were already called for confirmation. Since the sections can’t accommodate us all, we were divided. Each
Figure 2 Office of the Construction Section
will be reporting for their respective sections for eight days each. I was assigned in Construction Department first. Since I was exposed in construction for the whole duration of my internship in MJ Tiongson, I
am confident that I can somehow understand terms which I will be facing in this department. These terms include Items 311, 201 and more. I have also known before that there will be two inspectors from the implementing agency, one from the quality assurance section and the other one is from our own section, the construction section. During my first day in construction section, I recognized most of the employees since they were my schoolmates. I think that this section is one of the busiest since it’s the implementing section. Every now and then, representatives from different contractors come in to consult about their on-going projects and for approval.
Department of Public Works and Highways| On-the-job Training
For the first day, we had a talk with the construction section chief, Engr. Teody Galang. He asked us a few personal questions and have also introduced to us the section. We were then assigned to one of the project engineers, Engr. Willie Cantero. Since there are a lot of on-going projects, we will be mostly out on field as inspectors. I have known that inspectors are needed during pouring of cement. I was assigned to witness pouring of concrete at General Santos City National High School together with the assistant engineer. He oriented me about the field works in the construction section. He told me that the implementing section inspects the works of the contractor. He ensures that the measurements are followed as planned. He also inspects during the pouring of cement to ensure that the contractor is working properly. The project is entitled to DPWH during construction, and also for months after construction. He also told me that the contractor will only be paid partial and will be given the whole amount months after construction. The contractor is still responsible for the damages for months. Moreover, he briefly discussed about reading the plan, and how to inspect it. For the next day, I went to Tampakan together with Engr. Cantero and an assistant engineer. The project was road concreting.
Figure 3 Locator. This is required before
proceeding to field work.
Department of Public Works and Highways| On-the-job Training
Project: 4-storey school building Location: General Santos City National High School, Brgy. Calumpang, GSC Contractor: L.H.E. Construction and Industrial Services Activity: Witness pouring of cement on columns
Figure 4 Pouring of cement for 2nd story columns at General Santos City National High
School