The Regional Development Council (RDC) has asked Samar State University (SSU) and Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) to jointly conduct an impact evaluation study of the Ormoc Diversion Road in northwestern Leyte.
RDC vice-chairperson and National Economic and Development Authority regional director Bonifacio Uy said on Tuesday the study will be part of the two state universities and colleges’ (SUCs) research and extension programs by evaluating the achievement of the projects’ development objectives and will document the lessons, innovations, and effective approaches and strategies during project implementation.
The evaluation study will cover the said diversion road as well as those under construction and nearby San Juan-Lao-Naungan and Merida-Lundag-Isabel in the northwestern of Leyte province.
“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,” Uy said in a statement.
RDC private sector representative Roy Bernard Fiel recommended the evaluation citing the results of the field monitoring visits by the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) in Ormoc City last year.
Among the technical issues and concerns observed by RPMC are the very tight curvature on one of the abutments of the bridge, and defective roadside drainage due to some deteriorating sections of the canal.
The RDC Executive Committee approved the conduct of the study during its meeting on May 12.
The entire PHP3 billion Ormoc Diversion Road which started in 2011, will be completed in 2023, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The 4.5 kilometers diversion road project is seen to reduce traffic congestion along the Merida-Isabel-Palompon Road in Ormoc City by serving as its alternate route.
The Ormoc City Diversion Road is one of the high-impact infrastructures of DPWH 8 under the “Build, Build, Build” program of the present administration. (PNA)
