Project assistance completion report : public service restoration project no. 519-0279

The project provided implementing agencies with the resources to rapidly repair vital public works. The project also reduced the impact of continuous interruptions of vital public services by guerrilla activity, thus preventing further deterioration in El Salvador"s economy. This gave stability and credibility to the government in its effort to maintain and improve its democratic initiatives. Major accomplishments include the following: (1) 3,241 transmission lines were repaired; (2) a 22.1 megawatt standby generator plant was installed in San Miguel; (3) 104 bridges were repaired and 41 rapid temporary-bridge replacements were built; (4) emergency generators were put in place to provide standby power for hospitals, water pumping stations, telecommunications, and other essential services; (5) 242 units of heavy construction equipment were provided to the Ministry of Public Works to replace equipment destroyed by guerrillas and permit rapid repair of damaged bridges and highways; (6) 97 repairs were made to locomotives (several were completely rebuilt), as well as 346 repairs to rolling stock; (7) 118 emergency/backup power systems were installed by the telecommunication authority, in addition to repair of the telephone system; and (8) 288 water supply pumping stations were kept functioning, through more than 350 repairs. Even though the project did not include a substantial institutional development component, the use of host country contracting for commodity procurement had a significant impact, since many Salvadoran officials learned and put into practice contracting procedures based on highly competitive rules.