A Study on the Management of the Las Pinas Historical Corridor Project

Abstract

The Study on the Management of the Las Pin.as Historical Corridor Project answers the question: How was the Las Pinas Historical Corridor Project managed? It looks into the two fundamental aspects of project management, which are planning and implementation. In order to fully discuss the management of the project, it presents a brief history of Las Pinas, the history and background of the project, and the Las Pin.as Historical Corridor. The study also assesses the impact of the project by determining if it was able to fulfill its objectives to attract more tourists to visit Las Pinas and to provide employment to Las Pinas' growing number of residents.

The study employs the qualitative research method. In this type of research, data collection is done by means of interviews and analysis of documents and materials. The researcher conducted interviews with the key informant, Engr. Dexter Gonzales, who has been the Project Officer of the Las Pinas Historical Corridor Project from 1998 until the present. The researcher also reviewed project documents as well as books, on- line articles, and electronic journals which discuss the project, Las Pinas cultural heritage, heritage conservation, and project management.

The Las Pinas Historical

Corridor

Project

was

the

brainchild of then Rep.

Manny Villar

(Now senator).

The

project's vision is to transform a 3.4 kilometer stretch of road in Las Pinas into a Historical Corridor showcasing its Spanish colonial heritage. Congressional District Office, particularly Engr. Dexter Gonzales, took charge of the said project. The project was envisioned to create certain impacts on Las Pinas, which are to attract more tourist s to visit Las Pinas and to provide employment to Las Pinas' growing number of residents. Probably the most challenging problem encountered during the project was the delay in construction, which was due to the failure of some donations to push through. Engr. Gonzales responds to this predicament by constantly following up with the party responsible for the delayed/missing donation. This effort has resulted in the successful acquisition of some donations.

The study concluded that there is always room for improvement in project management. During the course of the project, quite a number of unfavorable circumstances surfaced that may be linked primarily to the absence of an actual project plan. Up to this point, the study is not yet conclusive since the project is still ongoing. However, it can be stated that in spite of the unfavorable circumstances mentioned, the project is successful, in terms of fulfilling its objectives.