ABSTRACT
The descriptive-evaluative study was conducted to describe the mandate and guidelines, implementation, community participation and outcomes of the local road projects under the Convergence Program of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Municipality of Barotac Viejo. One hundred sixteen respondents answered a researcher-made questionnaire and fifteen stakeholders were engaged in key informant interviews (KII) to gather primary data. The data were analyzed quantitatively using frequency count and percentage. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Findings revealed that the mandate and guidelines were embedded in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) executed by the DPWH and its partner agencies – the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Community participation was poor due to the non-involvement of most program beneficiaries. Program outcomes were evidenced by more infrastructure, an increase in the number of tourists, and an increase in trade and industries (small and medium enterprises). Recommendations were given to heighten the accomplishments of the program.
Keywords: Local Road Projects, Convergence, Community Participation, Outcomes
INTRODUCTION
During the "Build Build Build" Program of the Duterte Administration, various infrastructure projects were implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) from its Regular Agency Fund and in collaboration with other national government agencies. Among these convergence programs are the Road Connectivity for Industry and Trade Development Roads Leveraging Linkages of Industry and Trade (ROLL-IT) Program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
The ROLL-IT Program is a convergence program on road connectivity for industry and trade development in the Philippines' priority economic and manufacturing zones. On the other hand, TRIP involves the implementation of tourism infrastructure, specifically road access projects leading to tourist destinations. These convergence programs provide a road network to rural communities with existing industry and trade programs and tourism destinations.
In the Philippines, the development of the highway network is one of the major national programs being implemented by the government to support the country’s overall socioeconomic development. Good local road infrastructure is correlated with local economic growth and poverty reduction, as shown by several studies (Llanto, 2011). Rural transport infrastructure and services are not only key components of rural development but also important ingredients in sustainable poverty reduction (Chakwizira et al., 2010).
Roads are a critically enabling condition for improving living conditions and quality of life in rural areas, as in the case of agriculture. This research will dwell on how roads affect the rural communities that are not into the agricultural industry but instead focused on tourism and trade and industry. It will discuss how the local roads leading to tourist destinations and trade and industry help in the development of rural communities.
The researcher, who was formerly employed by the DPWH Iloilo 3rd District Engineering Office and was one of the residents of the recipient communities of the Convergence Program, entertained the idea of examining whether DPWH local road projects under the Convergence Program have indeed had some positive impacts on rural communities and whether those projects foster development in the rural areas with the participation of the community and through the convergence of national government agencies.
As a beneficiary, the researcher was concerned about whether DPWH effectively and efficiently implemented the programs and whether the changes and progress already observed in the community were brought about by the implementation of the local roads. Hence, the study was pursued.
The study was anchored on the need to identify, analyze, and describe the mandate and guidelines, implementation, community participation, and outcomes of the local road projects implemented under the Convergence Program by DPWH Iloilo 3rd District Engineering Office for the fiscal year 2018. Furthermore, it aimed to reveal the impact of the local road projects in terms of infrastructure development, tourism opportunities, and support for trade and industries (small and medium enterprises). It also discussed the challenges encountered during the implementation of the local road projects under the Convergence Programs and the proposed recommendations to address these challenges.
see PDF attachment for more information