A Quantitative Study on the Delays of Government Project Construction in the Department of Public Works and Highways South Cotabato 1st District Engineering Office
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65339/ijsair.V2.I2.367Keywords:
Government Construction Projects; Delay Factors; DPWH; Public Administration; Sustainable Development GoalsAbstract
This study determined the extent of delay factors affecting government construction projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) South Cotabato 1st District Engineering Office, as perceived by contractors and DPWH technical personnel. Specifically, it examined contractor-related, government-related, project-specific, and external delay factors; compared the perceptions of the two respondent groups; and proposed evidence-based recommendations to improve public infrastructure implementation. The study employed a quantitative descriptive-comparative research design. A validated survey questionnaire was administered to 73 respondents composed of 39 DPWH technical personnel and 34 contractors’ technical personnel involved in government construction projects. Data were analyzed using mean, ranking, Shapiro-Wilk test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Findings revealed that all four categories of delay factors were perceived to have a high extent of contribution to project delays. Contractor-related factors obtained an overall mean of 3.1, with late delivery of materials rated very high. Government-related factors obtained an overall mean of 3.0, with legal disputes and road right-of-way issues rated very high. Project-specific factors obtained an overall mean of 3.0, with foundation conditions encountered on-site rated high. External factors obtained an overall mean of 2.9, with the presence of illegal settlers identified as the highest external delay factor. The Mann-Whitney U test showed no significant difference between the perceptions of contractors and DPWH technical personnel across all delay-factor categories. The study concludes that delays in government construction projects are multidimensional public administration concerns involving contractor readiness, government coordination, site-specific conditions, and external stakeholder issues. The findings support the need for stronger project readiness assessment, contractor monitoring, right-of-way coordination, site validation, inter-agency collaboration, and risk management. These recommendations align with public accountability, efficient service delivery, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on infrastructure, sustainable communities, strong institutions, and partnerships.
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