BAUKO CABLE SUPPORTED TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

Description of the FGD

The focused group discussion for the proposed Cable Supported

transport infrastructure project for Bauko was held on November 25, 2021
at Monamon Sur, Bauko, Mountain Province. The Saint Louis University
Project 2 team; Honassan P. Ollasic - SRS 2, Keithler M. Pagnas - SRS 1,
Noel C. Pentang Jr. - SRA 1 and Roger Lee M. Suclad - Clerk II,
coordinated with the Local Government Unit of Bauko Mountain Province
and  was able to interview representatives of the expected beneficiaries of
the project. They were gathered at the house of  Jonas Banias who owns
the land where the intermediate towers will be built. His brother, who
owns the land where Tower A and B will be installed is also present.

The discussion begins with a request from farmers whose farms are
located between the initial proposed towers and have difficult access on
either the intermediate tower or Tower B due to the creeks surrounding
the area and the lack of the footbridge. At the end of the discussion, SLU
project 2 team were able to gather the information needed and as well as
the issues, concerns and acceptability of the project from the farmers. The
results of the focused group discussions are as follows:

Questions Analysis

1. What had been their issues about the transport of their

produce?

As the project stands, the locations given to the building of the

infrastructures prove to be far away from the farmers, separated by
natural obstacles such as the physical and geographical barriers, thus
bringing benefit to only a few of the resident farmers that are nearer to
the tramlines. The farmers offer solutions to move the farmers closer to
the tramrails so that everyone in the area may benefit from the project
infrastructure as said in their passing remarks.

There is also a lack of clarity whether the farmers are included in

the affected area. The situated area that the infrastructure is placed at
may even affect the Mount Data National Park, which can prove to be
problematic in the transportation of produce.

The lack of clarity on how the tramrail system works from the
farmers proves to be a significant problem for if they cannot understand
the processes of the tramrail and how it works, they cannot begin to find
any issue with its transport capabilities and incapabilities. In passing
remarks, the farmers continue to question how the tramrail system works
as the farmers are more accustomed to working with an older tramrail
design utilizing car mechanisms.

The inaccessibility of tramlines for other farmers made them

suggest building another tower in between the main two towers. Their
suggestion will be considered if the budget can afford it. This again, leads
to their another suggestion if they could be the one to choose the specific
location where the small towers be positioned or built. 

Aside from the lack of clarity that the farmers possess, the farmers
also do not understand how the tramrail works. In passing remarks, the
farmers have speculated if the tramrail cannot go forwards or backwards
without damage. However, as the discussion went on, the farmers have
come to an understanding that the tramrail is beyond them and are in
need of teaching to operate it. 

Though the farmers understands that the budget might not be

enough for their request to add towers for the tramline, they are worried
that some of them might not benefit from the tramlines due to the
locations specifically, how far their farm is from the proposed tramlines so
they  are still reiterating the building of additional small towers in between
so that every farmer from their area  should benefit from it.

2. What are the perceived advantages and disadvantages of using

cable supported infrastructure for transport?

The disadvantages that come from the tramrail itself might not be
sufficient for transport due to its inaccessibility, difficulty, and rigid design.
The farmers suggest that the design ought to be changed to
accommodate the mountain terrain, particularly in Monamon Sur. Another
issue is that the infrastructure’s design is more advanced than the
project’s engineers are used to, unlike the tramrail designs where
mechanisms of cars are utilized. 

More on the inaccessibility, the engineers were pointing out that the
farmers that were significantly farther away from the CARTS tramrails will
be lacking in the reaping of benefits compared to the farmers that are
closer to the CARTS tramrails when the infrastructure project is finished.

Aside from the disadvantages, one of the anticipated benefits of

developing the project is its long-term durability and everyone may
benefit from it. It does benefit the farmers near the tramrail and is sturdy
and durable, alleviates difficulty and switches to mechanized transport,
and brings the benefitting aspect of the tramrail to the barangay residents
near the structures. The convenience of hauling comes to be the main
factor in making the transfer of different agri-produce and equipment and
tools between tramrail points, providing a solution to the farmers who lack
access to the road networks. Another advantage is that the CARTS
infrastructure design is the most appropriate design as the project is a
part of the Mount Data National Park.

3. What are their expectations about the infrastructure in terms of

its usability and usefulness?*

In terms of the structure’s usefulness and usability, the engineers

of the site project have asked about the project infrastructure’s design
and how its design fits with the terrain of the project site itself. Aside from
that, the engineers believe that they can use it if only they are taught
because they were only used to making use of the old tramrail system
that uses car mechanisms. The infrastructure is also expected to be a
benefitting landmark for the entirety of the barangay residents in tourism
and in agriculture. 

Another expectation of this project is the cable’s capacity to carry

tonnages of agri-produce and agri-tools and equipment. The cable’s
capability becomes a factor in transferring tonnages between different
points throughout the Mount Data National Park. In a passing remark, the
engineers expected the tramrail to be able to carry around 500 to 600
kilograms.  The capacity of loads from each tram is the most important
expectation of the possible beneficiaries in terms of the infrastructure's
usability and usefulness. Residents are already anticipating various types
of assets (sayote, fertilizers, rice, harvest, and so on) when they utilize
the tram to do errands. The structure is also expected to carry about 4
thousand kilograms four times a day. 

In a passing remark, one of the project engineers has made the

recommendation on the tramrail being a tourist spot, due to the project
infrastructure looking like a small tourist spot. The tramrail itself is seen
as a sight to behold for visitors of the area and can be used as a landmark
for customers to enjoy as said in their interviews with the engineers on-
site. Given that the municipal government’s contribution to the
infrastructure project is a total budget is Php5M,  the project can afford to
become a tourist attraction. But the issue of the tramrail infrastructure
being far away from a portion of the resident farmers becomes a
problematic factor that places the tourist potential of the infrastructure
into question when the infrastructure is too far away to be enjoyed nor
will it bring benefit to the farmers too far away from the tramrail. 

4. To what extent do they believe that the project will alleviate

their problems on the transport of the produce?

Their existing tramlines have already deteriorated and each section

has sagged. Residents' problems will be alleviated by the proposed
infrastructure because it will be easier for them to maneuver. Numerous
farmers who could not utilize the current tramline will now be able to use
the new design, which will make it easier for all the farmers to access the
tram and allow more farmers to benefit from the project, including those
who are located in the center and are passed by tramlines. Once the
infrastructure is completed, all inhabitants can benefit from the initiative,
and guests are welcome to use it as well. 

Furthermore, most residents are concerned about the current

tramline's vulnerability, however, the proposed project will alleviate their
concerns because the materials used in the proposed infrastructure are
modern technologies. Unlike before, the tram's engine required to be fed
with diesel before it could work, but with the proposed renovation, the
tram's new system will be powered by electricity. The new design will
have an electric motor battery, which will allow the tram to continue
operating for another two hours if there is a power outage. This will leave
the farmers to lessen their struggle to operate the tramline in an
economic cost convenience rather than operating it with diesel that they
used before. 

Further to that, the proposed project will be easier to cultivate for

the farmers because the maximum capacity of the tramline will be
doubled when compared to their current tramline. Farmers and residents
will be able to move resources in a shorter length of time because the
turning round durations will be reduced, in comparison to their current
tramline, which takes numerous sets of rounds depending on the size of
the loads it carries. Farmers are delighted about the proposed project
since their goods (sayote, palay, fertilizers, and so on) would still be able
to transmit using the new system. The greatest feature is that the
proposed project will increase the maximum capacity of loads compared
to their current tramline, enhancing the capacity of service it can produce
and benefiting all farmers and inhabitants in the area. Residents are
enthusiastic about the proposed infrastructure since it will make their lives
and livelihoods easier and less stressful, as the residents' stated, the goal
is for everyone to benefit from the project.

5. What are their expectations on user fees for the infrastructure?

(how much and what for?)

The farmers expect that the project budget will be expensive due to
the rising price of materials to be used for the tramrail project itself.
Because of that, they expect that the farmers will be paying significantly
higher fees for the utilization of the tramline. Because of this, the
proposed tramline project will be utilizing electricity, and because of this,
farmers are bothered with the electricity. They have in turn proposed
agreeing that they will be held accountable for the payment of all
electrical bills for the tramline altogether. Since there will be an operator
for the tramline system, a farmer also suggested that the operator’s
salary be paid monthly, but one farmer said that maybe the operator’s
salary must be paid daily. There is yet another fee to be considered which
is the hauling fee for the produce. The farmers have agreed to appoint the
fees to a single payment accumulated for each farmer’s hauling fee, to
each of their own amount and will be added up to make up the grand total
of the hauling fee of the barangay.

The group of farmers have suggested that a second loading station

be raised, given the current cost of materials and situational problems.
They believe that the infrastructure project's given budget will not be
sufficient and the lack of funds sometime in the future will prove to be a 
hard obstacle in developing multiple loading platforms for the tramlines in
Bauko. 

6. What is their extent of involvement and participation towards

the project?
 The tramline will prove to be extremely beneficial to the Bauko
growers. As a result, the farmers wish to contribute to the development of
a second landing platform in the infrastructure project. They want to help
by requesting that an electrical post be relocated so that it does not
interfere with the tramline project's development. Even though the
farmers are aware that there will be someone who will be facilitating the
construction of the tramline project, they want to offer their assistance by
offering the engineers a place to stay provided by the farmers themselves
for the duration of the project.

 In addition, the farmers also said that they would find a solution
for the engineers to erect three tramrail landing points and place them
near the farmers in consideration of the boundaries set for the project site
itself. Aside from bringing more benefit to the area, a second and/or third
landing platform can bring it closer to the farmers further from the site,
thus bringing them closer to it. because they know that the tramline
project will benefit a lot more if more loading platforms are built. 

As per the utilization of electricity for the newly proposed project,

there will be instances where the community might encounter power
interruptions that will affect the new system of the tramline. A farmer
raised the possibility that the electric motor to be used might break down.
In the case of this scenario, the system will still have 2 hours to operate,
which serves as its electric motor battery. However, the farmers come up
with suggestions if they can insert backup generators from the system,
but the problem is the location of where they are going to put them.
Moreover, a farmer came up with a resolution suggesting that in case the
electric motor system gets destroyed, the farmers can turn to diesel as an
alternative power source for the system. There appears to be no effective
remedy to this, as it is difficult to repair the new system if it is damaged.

In light of the unrepairable new system, the farmers come to agree

that they need to take care of the new system, and if there are damages
or parts that will be destroyed, the farmers agree to change or replace
them to prolong the flexibility of the newly proposed system. Hence, with
the outcome on how to repair the possible damages, the research for the
project will be continuous to discover how it will prolong its durability.
When the need arises, farmers can turn to using diesel generators as an
alternative backup power source for electricity. The farmers do not know
how to operate the advanced tramrail system design because they are
accustomed to the old tramrail system design using car mechanisms. One
farmer raised the suggestion that the engineers teach them how to
operate the tramrail in case an operator is needed. The person who will be
doing the operation will have to be taught how to operate the tramrail
system, causing their pay to be higher than expected as a single payment.
In passing remarks, the farmers seemed eager to learn how to operate
the new modernized tramrail design as long as they were taught how or
have manuals to read how.

These farmers would provide significant support since they already

know exactly where the tramline project will be constructed and have a
grasp of the project’s area. The farmers are also aware that the tramline
project's architects and engineers will want their support since the project
will not be effective without the assistance provided by the Bauko farmers
themselves.

7. What are their concerns that may affect their acceptability of

the infrastructure?

The quality of the proposed project is the most common concern

raised by locals during the discussion of its implementation. Residents are
hoping that the cable used would be thicker than before, and they are
concerned about the maximum tonnage it can carry. The concern of the
farmers regarding the newly proposed project is on how the infrastructure
will be properly  operated. Some of the farmers are concerned if the
system will be like a car’s machine. Due to the power of how it will be
operated, the new system will utilize electricity. Since electricity comes
with the convenience of the new system, the farmers are asking if there
will be a power interruption or what if the system might get destroyed? Is
the system convertible to input diesel instead of electricity? Some of the
farmers tackle if they can go beyond the manual of the system if ever
there are parts to be replaced or to be fixed or send it back to the
engineers so that they will be the one to fix or the engineers will send
someone who will fix the system. Furthermore, regarding the capacity of
the tram, some of them doubt if the new system can carry tons of
resources due to the size of the proposed project whether it's small or
large. However, as provided by the interviewer, the design was made to
carry a huge amount of resources which can go beyond about maximum
of 500-600 kilos. 

Some of them also inquired if the proposed infrastructure's

proposed site had been investigated, and suggested relocating the
proposed equipment so that it is accessible to people who live far beyond
the tram. In accordance with the newly proposed project, another concern
is the electric post where the carrier of the new system will be placed in
the duration of the project. In passing remark, the location of the electric
post may prove to be an obstruction for the infrastructure project for
moving by it can be too compact for the engineers to bypass it. Not only
that the post itself is restricting, but its long electrical wire might trail over
and touch the tank that is near it. The farmers formed a solution and
agreed to ask the LGU to relocate the electric post. Not only will it be
relocated but can be used as a counterpart or alternative source of power
that is nearby the project site. Another concern is that the cemented
foundation that is to be used as a base is not at a sufficient size to suit the
engineer’s needs. In passing remark, the infrastructure might even tip
over from the foundation’s small size or from its softness. A solution was
made that they can dig around the sides of the foundation and make the
ground uniform to the base. 

Aside from the tower itself, its cable is said to be too low and the
tramrail could touch the ground. The remedy to this is with elevation of
the tower itself with a strong foundation and base. The concern moves to
the direction of the cage in-between the as its length might drop to the
ground, causing problems in the produce’s travel. The remedy to the cable
is to place multi-posts that heighten the cable at points and keep it above
the ground. The multi-posts can be placed on the mountain that the
farmers mentioned in passing remarks as a solution to the problem of
where to put the multi-posts. 

Furthermore, some of them are concerned about the length of time

it will take to complete the project's construction. In a passing remark,
one of the farmers said that this will come too late for one of their children
to get married upon the time the infrastructure is finished. They're also
worried about money, and if $5 million will be enough to complete the
project. Some of them also expressed concerns regarding the project's
maintenance, namely if they could utilize energy to power the electric
motor or if they could switch to diesel as a backup if the electric motor
was destroyed or if they couldn't find another method to repair it.

The location of the tower in the former structure prevents more

farmers from benefiting so they want a change in design. The tower’s
design will change in passing remarks to better suit the project site’s
needs. In the case of the tower, solutions are being made to relocate it
due to the aforementioned problems being the positioning of the electrical
tower, the questionable stability of the foundations, its own cable and
much more. If the tower/s cannot be relocated due to these issues, then a
new tower will be created for the project but both alternatives can prove
to be problematic for the landowners of the portion of land affected by the
changes.