RURAL ROADS EVALUATION REPORT

EVAL INCLUDED 586 HOUSEHOLD SURVEYS,INTERVIEWS WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS,AND REVIEW OF PUBLISHED SECONDARY DATA FROM GOP OFFFCES. CRITERIA FOR ROAD SELECTION INCLUDED USE OF LOCAL FUNDS FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION OR REHABILITATION,LOCALLY TITLED RIGHT-OF-WAY,LINKAGE OF AGR"L OR FISHING AREAS WITH MARKETS,ADEQUATE LOAD CAPACITY OF BRIDGES,CULVERTS,ECT,BETWEEN PROJ & NEAREST MARKET TOWN,ROAD SYSTEMS CONNECTING AT LEAST 2 BARANGUAYS,AND ENOUGH TIME ELAPSED SINCE COMPLETION FOR THE ROADS INFLUENCE TO BE FELT. AFTER ROAD SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT,THE RIGHTS-OF WAY WERE 15 METERS WIDE,WITH 6 METERS OF GRAVEL SURFACE & 1.5 METER SHOULDERS ON EACH SIDE. SIDE DITCHES & CULVERTS PROVIDED DRAINAGE AND 4 REINFORCED CONCRETE DECK GIRDER BRIDGES SPANNED RIVER CROSSINGS.THESE ROADS SERVED AN AREA WHERE 90% OF THE HOUSEHOLDS G AINED THEIR LIVING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM AGRICULTURE. ECONOMIC BENEFITS VOTED WERE REDUCED TRANSPORT COSTS & INCREASED AVAILABILITY OF RELIABLE TRANSPORT SERVICES,INCREASE IN MAJOR AGRICULTURAL CROP PRODUCTION & PRICES,AND INCREASE IN GROSS HOUSEHOLD INCOME & IN ENTREPRENEURAL ACTIVITY. SUCIAL BENEFITS WERE REALIZED IN INCREASED MOBILITY,ACCESSIBILITY TO HEALTH SERVICES & TO EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES,INCREASED RECREATIONAL ACTIVTIES & ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLICATIONS, AND INCREASED AVAILABILITY OF GOV"T SERVICES. OTHER BENEFITS INCLUDED DEVELOPMENT OF PROVINCIAL CAPABILITY TO IMPLEMENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS,REDUCTION IN ROAD MAINTENANCE COST,INCREASED LOCAL EMPLOYMENT,AND INCREASE IN LAND VALUES.ROADS & BRIDGE S CONSTRUCTED UNDER THIS PROJECT WERE CHOSEN,PLANNED,EXECUTED & FINANCED BY PARTICIPATING PROVINCES,OFTEN WITHOUT COOPERATION OF THE CENTRAL GOV"T. THE PROVINCES STAFFED & TRAINED THEIR OWN ENGINEERS,ACQUIRED RIGHT-OF-WAY AND START-UP FINANCING AND DEALT WITH BUREAUCRATIC DELAYS IN FINAL PROJECT APPROVAL AND RELEASE OF REIMBURSEMENTS.