The Regional Development Council (RDC) VIII is set to request the Samar State University (SSU) and Biliran Province State University (BiPSU)—under their Research and Extension Programs—to jointly conduct an impact evaluation study of the Ormoc Diversion Roads.

The recommendation was proposed by the Private Sector Representative (PSR) for Agriculture and Fishery, Atty. Roy Bernard C. Fiel, based on the results of the field monitoring visits by the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) in Ormoc City last year.

Among the monitored projects in the city was the San Pablo-Bantigue Diversion Road that was completed in 2017. The need for an impact evaluation study of key projects in the region came as technical issues and concerns on the road project were observed—very tight curvature on one of the abutments of the bridge, and defective roadside drainage due to some deteriorating sections of the canal.

The evaluation study will cover the said diversion road as well as the ongoing diversion roads along San Juan-Lao-Naungan and Merida-Lundag-Isabel. The study will evaluate the achievement of the projects’ development objectives and will document the lessons, innovations, and effective approaches and strategies during project implementation.

The SSU and BiPSU were selected to jointly conduct the study to ensure its objectivity and independence since both universities are situated outside Leyte. The two universities are likewise anticipated to explore other qualitative and quantitative aspects of the research, such as economic and sociological impacts.

The RDC VIII-Executive Committee (ExCom) approved the conduct of the study through Resolution No. 13, series of 2022 passed during its ExCom meeting on 12 May 2022.

Article and Photos by: Veronica Riel, DRD