An evaluation of the quality control systems in the construction of road and bridge projects in two Oriental Mindoro district engineering offices / Aristeo I. Bucas. 6

Thesis (M.A.) -- Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, 2000.;A directed study presented to the faculty of Graduate School of Engineering in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Engineering Management (MEM) with specialization in Construction Management. 56

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ABSTRACT: The study attempted to analyze and evaluate the effect of quality control system in the construction of better roads and bridges in the Department of Public and Highways (DPWH), particularly in the two (2) district engineering offices in Oriental Mindoro. It also aimed to generate relevant data, information and insights on DPWH's quality control system, policies and practices with the end in view of identifying and recommending possible improvements. The research also endeavored to elicit information regarding the perceptions of end users of existing roads and bridges in the area, particularly on their views regarding the importance of roads and bridges and their assessment as to their quality. The study has two (2) sets of respondents. The first set of respondents consisted of 49 quality control personnel and staff of the two (2) district engineering offices of DPWH in Oriental Mindoro which were composed of end users representing a cross-section of inhabitants in the communities comprising the two (2) DPWH district engineering offices in Oriental Mindoro. For the purpose of this study, two (2) sets of questionnaires were also used for each of the two (2) sets of respondents to answer. The study utilized the descriptive research method and the needed data and information were derived from the survey questionnaires. Other relevant materials in this study were generated and validated by the researcher from personal interviews among the respondents, as well as from available documents at the DPWH Regional offices of the Department. Findings were processed and presented in the form of frequency counts and percentage distribution tables. As derived from the study, it is indicated that three (3) out of four (4) respondents believed that the quality control inspectors in the two district engineering offices in Oriental Mindoro are academically qualified but have less exposure on the jobs. Only more than one fourth of them have had some experience in quality control work. The study likewise bared that the three (3) main problems encountered by quality control inspectors included; (a) insufficient technical training; (b) outdated equipment and gadgets of project implementers; (c) irresponsible contractors. However, the three (3) prominent measures undertaken by the District Engineers to remedy quality related problems were the following; (a) additional training for technical staff; (b) closer technical supervision; and (c) strict and thorough inspection and verification of contractors' equipment in the pre-qualification and in the actual implementation of road and bridge projects. The study also reveals that about two-thirds of the respondents perceived that the quality control sections of their respective district engineering offices to be efficient and effective mechanisms of ensuring the construction of better quality roads and bridges. On the other hand, the respondents were in general satisfied with the overall performance of respective District Engineers in terms of implementing and enforcing quality control mechanisms, policies and guidelines. Some 37.0% of the respondents gave their respective District Engineers a satisfactory rating; about 35.0% gave a rating of very satisfactory, while a little more than 20% gave a rating of excellent. In addition, top management officials of DPWH were viewed by almost 60.0% of the respondents to be morally supportive, while some 35.0% were very supportive in the implementation of infrastructure projects in the district level. The respondents had the following top three suggestions to improve performance of DPWH quality control system; (a) additional training for technical personnel; (b) more funds to purchase state-of-the-art equipment and gadgets; and (c) hiring of technically trained personnel. However, the limited budgetary allocation for the district engineering offices had to some extent affected the implementation of quality control measures in terms of the district capacity to acquire modern equipment and gadgets, inability to send personnel to training on quality control and overloaded project assignments of quality control inspectors. No significant differences appeared to exist between and among district engineering offices in the implementation of quality control measures because all of these offices followed the same policies, rules, regulations and practice on quality control spelled out in the Department circular, memoranda, orders and issuance. End user respondents exhibited or manifested identical perceptions regarding the vital role played by roads and bridges in their daily lives and in the development of their respective communities. Most of the respondents felt that roads and bridges were important in their lives and hence very much needed in the development of their areas. However, these appeared to have some divergence in the perceptions between project implementers and end users insofar as the causes or reasons behind the existence of poor quality roads and bridges. Implementor respondents felt that poor quality roads and bridges attributed to the inadequate funding, among other things, end users felt that poor quality roads and bridges were endangered by some factors as substandard materials, anomalies and irregularities, lack of proper maintenance, poor project supervision and inadequate funding.

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