Research Proposal Format

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Below is a suggested format of a research proposal

I.    Prefatory parts
a.    Title Page
b.    Letter of Transmittal
c.    Table of Contents
d.    List of Tables and/or figures(if any)
e.    Executive summary or abstract

II.    Body of Proposal
a.    Introduction
i.    Problem
ii.    Need
iii.    Background
iv.    Objectives or Purpose
b.    Procedure
i.    Methods and sources
ii.    Strategies
iii.    Equipment, facilities, products
c.    Personal qualifications
d.    Evaluation and benefits of project
e.    Budget of cost, prices, total bid

III.    Supplementary parts
a.    Agency forms
i.    Budget justification
ii.    References
b.    Tables, maps, graphs (if any)

Sample Outline Proposal

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The Installation of Vibration-Sensitive Switch on Reciprocating Machines

1.   Abstract

The abstract defines and describes what a vibration-sensitive switch is and how it works

2.    Introduction

The introduction is a capsule company profile which defines the company’s production capabilities and experiences.

3.    Methodology

The methodology refers to the procedures which the proponent intends to use to accomplish the proposed job.

4.    Facilities

Components of the proposed product are identified.

5.    Personnel

The personnel to be involved in the project are itemized.

6.    Duration

A time-table of the project is provided for.

7.   Cost

Personnel expenses are itemized.

Practical Proposal Writing Tips

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Writing proposal can be a tedious job for someone. The following are some practical tips.

  1. Start early as possible because when you start early you will be able to know the needed data and information.
  2. Identify the problem, need or knowledge to be address properly.
  3. Clearly state your objectives and explain the proposed outcomes to address the problems.
  4. Make sure that you have appropriate rationale for each study. Also, explain the importance of your project.
  5. Define your methodology to be used in order to accomplish your objectives including the activities that will take place.
  6. Include the personnel who will carry out the activity as well as the equipment and facilities to be used.
  7. Don’t forget to include the cost of your project being proposed.
  8. Make sure to organize your project into proper format because it is an effective way of communicating of the details of the proposed work or project.
  9. Don’t forget to read instruction carefully before start writing because reviewer of your proposal will check the designated format as well the required information.
  10. Be simple and concise by removing all unnecessary detail or information.
  11. Make your work well-organized and concise so that it will stand out in the crowd.
  12. Give credits to your sources. If you use several paragraph from any magazine, you can put a quotes and cite the sources.

Business Proposal Outline

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You have an idea for a new product or service and you will need an investment to pursue your business venture, what you will have to do is to create a business proposal.  You have to make a winning business proposal in order to get financial support or getting help from prospective investor or client.

There is no standard outline or format or ideal format for business proposal but as long as it has complete content of a business requirement.

The following are a sample outline for business proposal:

  1. Executive Summary – It contains the overview of your proposal.
  2. Business Description – It provides the background and history of your business.  Also contains the goals as well as the product or services description being proposed. It also discussed the supplier information, agreements and ownership structure and legal considerations.
  3. Business Opportunities – It contains the potential customer, geographical area, business competitors.
  4. Marketing Strategy – It presents the costing and pricing, sales projection, and marketing plan.
  5. Business Operations – It includes the operational function, services offered, and personnel.
  6. Technology – It discusses the technology and application to be used.
  7. Finances – It includes the revenue, expenses, and financial projections.
  8. Appendices – It provides the supporting documents that will be useful to the business such as curriculum vitae of the owner and stockholders, permits, agreements and financial statement for the last 3 years.

Sample Related Literature for the Design and Fabrication of Manual Flat Bar Bender

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sample related literatureIn this modern age, where bending of metals are fully automated, only few metal shops can afford sophisticated types of bending tools because of high cost.  Hence, improvised means of bending tools are adopted. Such tools are bending forks and jigs.

Bending forks are used to form a scroll or an irregular curve.  A simple fork can be made by bending a piece of rod with a diameter of 12 mm. or less into the shape of a U.  The opening in the U should be just large enough to allow the metal slip to pass through easily.  Another type of bending fork is made from a square metal block in which holes are drilled at varying distances.  Two steel pins are made to fit easily into these holds.  These pins can be moved to allow different metal thickness and types of scrolls (Ferrer, 1979).  This is where flatbar bender was designed for.

Another type of bending tool is the bending jig.  Several bands can be made on single rod or by devising a shop-made bending jig.  Jigs such as these must be designed and built whenever bending is involved in a mass production activity.

At present, a hydraulic flat bar bender is being developed to make the bending of metal to form angles, scrolls, circles, curves much easier by just pumping the device that would make the bending mechanism, move to the metal to be bent.

An excerpt for the project study by Engr. Fernando C Lacsina and Engr. Romel Z. Martinez

A Project Feasibility Study on the Manufacture of an Ergonomically Designed School Backpack

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Proposed Location: Paniqui Productivity Center, McArthur Highway, Samput, Paniqui, Tarlac

Proponents: Russel D. Garcia, Kathleen E. Gonzales, Lara Joy T. Martinez, Jonelyn F. Mendoza, Emmaloida H. Tabag

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering

School: College of Engineering, Tarlac State University

Date: March 2003

Brief Description of the Project

The project proposes to manufacture an ergonomically designed school backpack, branded as “Pack ‘Em All”  It is a backpack aimed at helping elementary students to correct posture and reduce stress on back and shoulder while carrying loaded backpack.  The bag has properties unique from other bag presently available.  The aluminum places at the back portion of the bag but it is not visibly seen and will serve as the back support.  The aluminum is contoured to fit the shape of the back.  This will trigger the back straightening of the user.  This will prevent the user from slouching and eventually develop a good posture.  It has a wider sling to have a greater support.  It has a waist support to sustain the lower part of the torso.  It has more space inside to cater to students who bring lots of school materials.  The bag is ergonomically designed for the ease and comfort to prevent backaches, shoulder pain and abnormal curve of the spine, thus creating a good relationship between the bag and the user.

Summary of the Findings

A.    Management Aspect

The product shall be pre-operated eight (8) months before the start of the operation.  Partnership shall be the type of business organization, and shall be composed of five (5) partners.  The organizational set up shall be in a line function.  The business shall have an initial capital of Php 625,000 and Php350,000.  The business shall be loaned from DBP.

The General Manager shall be the head of the organization.  Under him is the Plant Manager who shall be responsible on the production area, and has the overall control on the company personnel, marketing of the product and even the allocation of budget for the company.  Along with him is a Secretary.  Under the Plant Supervisor is the Human Resource Personnel; under him are the Utility Man/Driver, Security Guard, and Janitor/Messenger.  Next is the Quality Control, under him is the Sewer, Machine Operator, Packager and Stockman.  Next is the Marketing and Sales Personnel, under him is the Purchaser  Finally, the Finance Personnel, next to him is the Accountant, who shall be classified as retainer, because he shall render service only once every end of the month.  The required personnel shall come from nearby places of the plant and within Tarlac.  As soon as the business normally operates, all benefits are to be given to all employees.  The company shall hire additional workers after six (6) years of operation, based on the forecasted increase of plant capacity.  They are to be paid at a minimum starting salary and shall also increase to 10% annually.

B.    Marketing Aspect

The proposed product is based on the idea that elementary students have a hard time in carrying their things from school and that in the latter of their lives, they may experience back disorders if not properly taught.  The demand of the supply shall be based the total number of students from Grade IV-VI, and the supply shall be based on the existing competitors in malls.  A market share of and 43.2% is available for the product.  Pack ‘Em All’ is the brand name of the product and is priced using Full cost pricing at the market at an amount of Php 682.75 inclusive of Value Added Tax.

C.    Technical Aspect

The bag is created for enhancing desirable human values such as increased comfort and improved quality of life.  The product will provide lumbar binder fitted to the body waist, which will offer some trunk support through elevation on intra abdominal pressure and will serve to remind us of proper posture.  It will also provide back support for the spine.  This support is made up of 0.4 cm thick and 2.5 cm wide flat-bar aluminum material.  Its height varies in three different sizes, 12, 14 and 16 inches.  This is based on the length of spine from Thoracic level 3 (T3) to lumbar Region five (L5) of our target market.

The manufacturing process is based on the usual process done by any bag manufacturing in the province, which is by the use of high-speed electrical sewing machine. The molding process of the aluminum back support is done by a hydraulic press.  The whole production operation is estimated to have a standard time of 353.2455 minutes, including pattern making.  But in case of mass production, this process will be eliminated and the total production time will be 104.8455 minutes or 1.75 hours.

The plant size or plant capacity is measures based on the machine used.  The plant will have the capacity of 10,080 units/day.  The production schedule will be 10% of the average market share every year to provide safety stocks in case any increase in demand arises.

The plant is located at Paniqui Productivity Center, Brgy, Samput, Paniqui, Tarlac.  This building is divided into two parts.  The first part has already been leased and the proponents will lease the southern part  The building has a floor of 630 sq.m  and has a monthly rental of Php 20.00 per square meter.  It is a 4 1/2 drive from our suppliers and 30 minute away from our target market.  It is along McArthur Highway, which makes it accessible to public transportation.  Paniqui is known for its sewing business, so laborers with that particular skill will not be a problem.  Nearby towns could also provide manpower for the plant.  The water requirements will only be minimum and will be supplied by the Paniqui Water District.  The power consumption will be generated from the Tarlac Electric Corporation (TARELCO).  The plant will not provide toxic wastes.  Only excess fabrics will the wastes, and these will be sold to some backyard manufacturing that produce tokens and small purse for different occasions.

D.    Financial Aspect

The current ratio or working capital ratio is one of the fundamental measurements of a company’s liquidity.  This measurement is computed by dividing the total current assets by the total current liabilities.

For JR. JEK PARTNERS, the profit margin on sales means that for the year 2002, they generated 6.66% of net sales.  The decrease in the second year results from the inability of the plant to shoulder the expenses incurred in the production.  But in the succeeding years the company recovers with the increase in the profit margin.

Another way of testing the profitability of the business is through the use of rate of return wherein it measures the rate of return to the partner’s equity of  JR JEK PARTNERS are 28.9%, 17.26%, 37.32%, 67.96% and 99.95% for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth, respectively ensure that the business is profitable.

With all other factors remaining constant, an increase in the partner’s equity will decrease in return of equity.

For as long as the return of equity is greater than zero (0), the firm precisely earns income or, on the hand, breaks even.  Shortly stated, the firm operates in a favorable performance.  Thus, the project is financially feasible.

E.    Social Desirability Aspect

The business enterprise is deemed to serve as a great contribution to the government’s effort in raising revenues for its functions.  These shall be in the forms of income tax, permits, licenses, and other fees.  The society will benefit as a whole because of its ergonomically design at the customers comfort.  Its design will help not to worry about their child’s posture when they grow old.  The introduction of the bag in the market will pave the way of the competitors to lower their prices in order to maintain its competitiveness.  The unemployment rate in the country will get low because this will provide jobs for the families.  In this light, the manufacturing of the bag will attain its desirability and acceptance.

Project Feasibility on the Production of a Shoe Insole Deodorizer

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Title:
Project Feasibility Study on the Production of a Shoe Insole Deodorizer using Activated Carbon and Baking Soda

Proposed Location:
Brgy Anupul, Bamban, Tarlac

Proponents:
Eda S. Castro
Ferdinand D. Constantino
Jane M. Delos Santos
Gian Carlo R. Sotelo
Divine Grace B. Tuazon

Degree:
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering

School:
Tarlac State University

Date:
March 2003

Brief Description of the Project

This project proposes to produce a shoe insole deodorizer using activated carbon and baking soda as the active ingredients.  The product shall be branded as “POWER SOLE”.  It is a flat insole type deodorizer that can neutralize the odor and absorbs moisture on foot caused by sweating.  It can also serve as a shoe pad for loosed shoes.  The product has five (5) sizes (5,6,7,8 and 9) to cater different foot sizes it has also a suggested life span o one (1) month, but this will depend on the lifestyle of the person using it.

Summary of Findings:

1.    Management Aspects

The Power Sole Enterprises shall be a pre-operate for 12 months before its normal operations.  The enterprise shall be a partnership type of business organization.  The business shall employ its personnel, which shall be headed solely by the plant manager who shall supervise the production, administrative/finance, and marketing officers.  Under these officers are the production laborers, warehouse man, product inspector, accounting clerk, security guards and driver respectively.  All personnel shall come from the province of Tarlac.  Giving importance to the nearby towns where there are skilled workers in relation to this kind of work.  The compensation of the personnel shall be based on the existing labor code.  The enterprise shall pay Php 1,291,584.00 for its salaries/wages during the first year of operation.  Benefits such as SSS, EC and PhilHealth shall be given to the employees.  Every year of operation, the enterprise will hire one (1) additional production to meet the increasing demand of the product.

2.    Marketing Aspect

The marketability or salability of the proposed product is anticipated, since this project entails comfort, easy and convenient to use compared to existing foot deodorizer.  The demand of the product shall be based on the past demand of foot deodorant products consumed by each household population of Tarlac City’s urban barangays, and the supply shall be based on the number of foot deodorant purchased from several distributors/suppliers.  The market share of this product is 42.05% of the average yearly demand from 2003-2207, which is equivalent to 178,546 pairs of shoe insole deodorizer but considering the result of the survey conducted by the researchers, the researcher had decided to increase the average capacity of the plant from 178,546 to 1800,000 for the first year of operation.  The proposed selling of the product shall be Php 16.50 which is inclusive of value added tax (VAT).  The project will sell the proposed product in cash discount basis.  And limited its retail price to 20% increase from the set factory price to the retailer (distributor) to achieve the pricing objective of meeting the existing price competition in the market.  The Product shall be introduced and promoted through posters, billboards, banners and radio ads.

The proposed product shall be packed in a vacuum-sealed transparent plastic packaging material with a descriptive label, which contains features and specification of the product, and finally the packaged products are placed in a carbon box for protection in the storage and delivery.  The outer surface of the box is printed with the product name, the description or specifications, and the name and address of the manufacturer  The product shall bear the brand name “POWER SOLE”, which signifies the characteristic and nature of the product.

3.    Technical Aspect

The proposed product is a shoe insole deodorizer using activated carbon and baking soda.  The activated carbon is part of the product because it can absorb odors and volatile organic compounds.  We also have to add the treatment of the foam and cumbelli to help activated carbon to help activated carbon to neutralize the odor.  In this study, we conducted laboratory tests to determine the volatile content of activated carbon before and after used.  We found out in testing activated carbon, with the use of a gravimetric oven, that when it is not treated, only 3.423% of moisture will be absorbed by the carbon and 45.181% was absorbed by the carbon a exposed naked on the humid environment  When the researchers treated the carbon, they did not absorb moisture of 43.5  In conclusion, before the manufacture of the product, see to it that it was treated  An odor test was also conducted to determine the effectiveness and lifespan of the product.  Based on the test, the suggested lifespan of the product is one month.

The manufacturing process is a continuous processing wherein the workers must meet the target output per day.  The capacity depends on the expected market share of 42.05%, which us 278,546 pairs of shoe insole deodorizer  But the researchers decided to product 180,000 pairs in the year of operation due to the consideration of the result conducted by the researchers for the willingness of the respondents to try and buy the proposed product.

The plant will be producing an average of 180,000 pairs a year, that is 15,.000 pairs a month or 750 pairs a day.  Some nearby hardware and electronic suppliers supply machineries and equipment.  But other equipment will be purchased in Manila.  The plant shall be located at Brgy. Anupul, Bamban, Tarlac, the productivity center of the town.  It is located at the back of the Municipal Hall building which is 100 km. from Manila.  The transportation is so easy because it is along the highway.  The availability of manpower will never be a problem; customers will be assured of economical and fast delivery of the products due to the project proximity to the raw materials, suppliers, and to its target market.  The hiring of labor forces will not be a problem since the plant requires a minimal number of employees.  The Tarlac II Electric shall supply electricity and water requirements of the plant.  The productivity center has an area of 1,260 sq.m. half of the area will only be occupied.  The enterprises shall pay the monthly rentals of Php 20.00 per sq.m for the 630 sq.m floor area or at Php 12,600.00 monthly with escalation rate, payable within the first week of each month.

The waste material will be in the form of scraps, which will serve as another source of income for the enterprise.  The proposed project is environment friendly because it will not affect the nature during or after producing it.

4.    Financial Aspect

The financial needs of the project shall be sourced from the partners’ equity.  Each of the five (5) partners shall contribute an initial amount of Php 150,000.00 in cash which is Php 750,000.00 the said amount is estimated to be used in all expenses to be incurred during the pre-operating period and during the first half of the year of normal operations.  All purchases shall be on cash basis and sales are on cash discount basis with term payment of 5/15 net 30.  the projects liquidity ratios are computed to be 6:1, 8:1, 10:1, 12:1, and 15:1, on the first, second, third, fourth and fifth years, respectively, which shows that the project can liquidate its total current liabilities very satisfactorily.  The rates of return on investment for the first five years of normal operations are 16.32%, 30.81% and 39.35% respectively.

5.    Social Desirability Aspect

The project is aimed at helping individuals who have an unpleasant odor and foot moisture.  The business enterprise shall give a great contribution to the government because of the money paid in the form of taxes.  These taxes can be paid in different forms.  Through the introduction of this business, consumers will be given more choices for the same effect.  The producers of the raw materials can increase its profitability.  The competing products can also lower their process because of increased competitors.  Also there will be a decrease of unemployment by giving jobs to individuals when they will be hired, which will improve their lives and the society as a whole.

Feasibility Study of a Commercial Warehouse in Angeles City

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General Aspects

1.1    Description of the Project
The warehouse project is described and the findings on the market, technical and financial aspects of the study are summarized.

1.2    Project Timetable
A brief statement on when the warehouse will become operational together with a timetable of pre-operating activities is indicated

1.3    Management of the Warehouse
The organization and staffing of the warehouse company are defined and quantified.  Procedures for inventory account-ability, receiving and shipping of goods are established.

Product and Market Aspects

2.1    Product
The products to be warehoused and marketed are identified together with corresponding producers.  Brands of producers with warehousing facilities in the area are excluded.

2.2    Trade Area
The producers are interviewed to attain data on the volume of production and distribution of each product to the region.

2.3    Competition
Competitors, data on products warehoused and marketed sales volume, and pricing are identified.

2.4    Projected Sales
The total demand and market share for each product over a ten-year period are projected on the basis of the following:

2.4.1    Population growth
2.4.2    Consumption per capita as affected by income growth
2.4.3    Competition

2.5    Marketing and Selling Prices
The marketing arrangement and selling price for each product are defined over a ten-year period.

2.5.1    Immediate purchase of goods upon delivery from producers
2.5.2    Immediate sale of goods on commission basis
2.5.3    Storage and sale of goods upon orders from producers, fixed charges for storage and commission on sales.
2.5.4    Combination of the preceding marketing methods

Technical Aspects

3.1 Location Factors
After the geographic location of the warehouse has been selected, the specific site must be determined.  Some of the factors that may influence the choice are as follows:

3.1.1 Topography
The site must be free from floods.

3.1.2 Accessibility
The site must be as near as possible to transportation lines.

3.1.3 Cost of Land

3.1.4 Land Use
The site should be compatible with warehousing regulations.  Proximity to residential areas should be avoided.

3.1.5 Security
The site should not be in areas known for the incidence of theft and vandalism

3.1.6 Building Code
The requirements of the building code must be considered, particularly with regard to the restriction on the height of the building.

3.1.7 Advertising
The exposure of the building to heavily traveled high ways adds on advertising value to the state or site.

3.2 Size and Layout of the Building
The specific considerations on the size and layout of the warehouse are as follows:

3.2.1 The size of the building is related to the projected sales over a ten-year period in general and to the occupancy rate in particular.

3.2.2 The width-length on figuration of the building affects the construction cost per square meter of floor area as well as the handling and storage operations  In principle, for optimum combination of construction cost and operating efficiency, a warehouse should be nearly a square

3.2.3 Height will be limited by local building restrictions and the need for safe and practical handling equipment.  Height is also a convenient and relatively economical means of providing storage capacity.

3.2.4 Location of rail and dock should consider factors such as protection from the weather, security aspects, proximity to storage areas and loss of storage space.  Docks may be located outside, inside or partially inside/outside the warehouse.

3.3 Equipment
The types and number of equipment for handling storing and shipping operations are determined.

Financial Aspects

4.1 Project Cost
4.1.1  property, plant and equipment
4.1.2 organizational and operating expenses
4.1.3 working capital

4.2 Sources of Financing
4.2.1 capital stock
4.2.2 long term borrowing
4.2.3 short term borrowing

4.3 Financial Projections and Notes and Assumptions
4.3.1 cost of sales
4.3.2 operating expenses
4.3.3 income
4.3.4 cash flow
4.3.5 balance sheets
4.3.6 capital expenditures (organizational and pre-operating expenses, building, machinery and equipment, office furniture)

4.4 Financial Analysis
4.4.1 discounted  cash flow rate of return on total investment
4.4.2 financial ratios (return on sales gross profit rate, return on assets, etc.)
4.2.3 break-even analysis

A Technical Proposal on the Construction of Pantabangan Dam

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Approach

The Pantabangan Dam is proposed to be built seven kilometers upstream of Pampanga River from the town of Rizal, Nueva Ecija.  It shall perform useful functions for the Hydroelectric Plant, Flood Control, Domestic and Industrial Water Supply, Aquatic Resources Conservation and Recreational Facilities. It also renders other functions, namely:

1.1    To demonstrate the most suitable water management to expand irrigated area
1.2    To adopt practical cropping pattern to increase production
1.3    To organize farmer and users into irrigation associations for better implementation of water distribution ; and
1.4    To serve as a training center for the job training of NIA personnel and farmers

Because majority of the irrigation systems in the Philippines use the run-river diversion types of supply water for rice crops, these systems depend primarily on the flow of water from the river and availability of water from the watershed.  The system is enough to supply the requirements of certain areas so that they do not find the necessity to have water management until problems arise such as sudden decrease in the flow of water because of the denudation of forest watersheds.

Other problems are after the rainy season when the flow of water from the river decreases sharply which affects the capacity of the systems for double cropping.

These situations create the problem of rice production to support the country’s rapidly expanding population.  To solve this problem, the Pantabangan Dam is proposed to be constructed, primarily as a good source of irrigation, and secondly, as a source of power generation.

Description of the Solution

With the help of the Development Bank of the Philippines, the National Irrigation Administration searched for areas with the best potentials.  In 1960 the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads (USBPR) was tapped to undertake feasibility studies on the development of the Pantabangan Dam which would prevent floods, conserve water for irrigation and generate power for a Hydroelectric Plant.

In 1961, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) referred to its Washington Office a cooperative project/proposal with the National Economic Development Authority to conduct a comprehensive study of Philippine water resources and identify projects of greatest potentials for development.

This recommendation led to the signing of the agreement on October 25, 1962 between the United States and Philippine governments regarding funding, assignments of consultants, and agency participation in the proposed undertaking.  On November 2 of the same year, the USAID jointly with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) agreed to push through the recommendations.  Consequently in April 1963, survey work and feasibility study started.

By 1966, engineers of the Bureau of Reclamation under contract with the NEC-USAID came out with the feasibility report identifying USBPR as having the greatest potential for development.  In 1968 of May, a joint technical staff was created by President Marcos to conduct further studies on the possibilities of reducing the cost estimated by USBR.

Resources

In June 1969, the Philippine Congress adopted R.A 5499 authorizing the construction of the Pantabangan Dam, its appurtenant structures and irrigation service facilities and providing local counterpart funds.  Subsequently, in August of the same year, the world bank approved a $34 M loan to finance the foreign exchange cost of the project.  The contract for its construction was awarded to Hydro Resources Corporation (CONSORTIUM of some Filipino Contractors).  In 1972, Presidential Decree No. 35 set aside a Guarantee Fund of Php720 M to ensure the completion of the project including the funding for the power function and execution of further studies to expand the project benefits.

Discussion

The Pantabangan Dam is about seven kilometers upstream of Pampanga River from the town of Rizal, Nueva Ecija.  It consists of the two zoned earth full dams, the main dam and the ava dam embankment.  It measures 1.61 kilometers long, 107 meters high from the riverbed, 480 meters wide at the base and 12 meters wide at the crest.

The Pantabangan Dam is designed with two tunnels, 30 meters apart at the bottom of the main dam’s left abutment, each measuring 576 meters long and 7 meters in diameter.  Each has a design discharge of 1643 per second  One of the tunnels supplies the irrigation needs of the service area while the other is for the future generation of Hydro-electric Power.

A concrete chute type spill way with design discharge of 4,200 cubic meters per second is located at the end of the ava embankment.  It is 260 meters long and has four bays, three of which are gated, and the fourth, an overflow.

A connecting open channel sets across the ridge separating the main and ava reservoirs, at an elevation of 200 meters above sea level and measuring about 200 meters long and 60 meters wide.  It will divert the excess water from the main reservoir to the ava reservoir and to the spill way.

The Reservoir

The Pantabangan reservoir, consisting of the main and the auxiliary reservoir, submerges the town of Pantabangan and eight outlying barrios.  It has a surface area of 8,420 hectares and is capable of impounding 3.08 million cubic meters of water.

The allocation of the reservoir space is 330 million cubic meters of flood storage, 17,353 million cubic meters storage for irrigation and domestic water supply, ineffective storage of 95 million cubic meters and 668 million cubic meters surcharge.  The allowance for sedimentation is 130 million cubic meters.

Some 150,000 hectares of forest and range lands compose the watershed.

Hydroelectric Power

The Pantabangan Dam includes power generating units with the installed capacity of 100,000 kilowatts.  Two units of 50 megawatts generators which could be installed at the downstream of the dam would add more than 70,000 kilowatts of dependable capacity and generate some 232 million kilowatt hours of electric energy annually.

Cost Analysis

The dam is estimated to cost Php720M to ensure completion of the project including the funding for the power function and execution of further studies to expand the project benefits.

Time of Completion

The dam is estimated to be accomplished within 3 years and 5 months starting March 3, 1978 and is to be completed by August, 1981.

Internal Proposal – Proposal for Capital Appropriations

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To:  Harold Clurman, Plant Superintendent

From: Fred Nelson, Safety Officer

Date: August 4, 1998

Subject: Safety Practices for Group 333

Many accidents and near-accidents have occurred in Group 333 because of the hazardous working conditions in this area.  This memorandum identifies those hazardous conditions and makes recommendations for their elimination.

Hazardous Conditions

Employees inside the factory must operate the walk-along crane through aisles that are frequently congested with scrap metal, discarded lumber, and other refuse from the shearing area.  Many surfaces in the area are oil-coated.

The containers for holding raw stock and scrap metal are also unsafe.  On many of the racks, the hooks are bent inward so far that the crane cannot fit into them properly unless it is banged and jiggled in a dangerous manner.  To add to the hazard, employees in the press group do not always balance the load in the racks.  As a result, the danger of falling metal is great as the unbalanced racks swing practically out of control overhead.  These hazards endanger employees in Group 333 and also employees in the raw-stock and shearing areas, because the crane passes over these areas.

Hazards also exist in the yard and in the chemical building.  The present method of dumping strip metal into the scrap bins is the most dangerous practice of all. To dump this metal, the tow-motor operator picks up a rack, with the rack straddling the tow-motor forks, and raises it over the edge of the scrap-metal bin.  The operator then rotates the forks to permit the scrap metal to fall from one end of the rack.  As the weight shifts, the upright frame at the other end of the rack slams into one of the tow-motor forks (now raised 12 feet above the ground, inside the scrap tub).  This method of operation has resulted in two tow-motor tip-overs in the past month.  In neither incident was the driver injured, but the odds are great that someone will be seriously harmed if the practice continues.

Group 333 employees must also dump tubs full of scrap metal from the tow motor into the 10-foot-high scrap bins.  In order to dump the metal on the tow-motor forks, the operator raises the tubs high above his head.  Because of the unpredictable way in which the metal falls from the tubs, many facial cuts and body bruises have resulted.  Employees who work in the yard are also subject to danger in winter weather:  all employees have been cut and bruised in falls that occurred as they were climbing up on scrap bins covered with snow and ice to dump scrap from pallets that had not been banded.

Finally, nearly all Group 333 employees who must handle the caustic chemicals in the chemical building report damaged clothing and ruined shoes.  Poor lighting in the building (the lights are nearly 20 feet above the floor), storage racks positioned less than two feet apart, and container caps incorrectly fastened have made these accidents impossible to prevent.

Recommendations

To eliminate these hazards as quickly as possible, I recommend that the following actions be taken:

1.    That Group 333 supervisors rigorously initiate and enforce a policy to free aisles of obstructions.
2.    That all dangerous racks be repaired and replaced.
3.    That the Engineering Group develop a safe rack dumper.
4.    That heavy wire mesh screens be mounted on the front of all tow motors.
5.    That Group 333 employees not accept scrap in containers that have not been properly banded.
6.    That illumination be increased in the chemical building and that a compulsory training program for the safe handling of caustic chemicals be scheduled.

I would like to meet with you and the supervisor of Group 333 before the end of the month, as your schedule permits.  You will have my complete cooperation in working out all of the details of the proposed recommendations.