MANKAYAN, Benguet – The NEDA Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) through the NEDA Research and Development Fund is conducting an impact evaluation study on the Cervantes-Mankayan-Abatan Road. The study is in line with the ongoing efforts to strengthen government’s accountability for its use of public funds. It is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The Cervantes-Mankayan-Abatan Road is part of the Cordillera Roads Improvement Project (CRIP), the region’s high priority infrastructure project that seeks to connect Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera.
Implemented from February 2008 to October 2010 by the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Cervantes-Mankayan-Abatan Road is 31.302 kms. long and links the provinces of Ilocos Sur and Benguet. It was funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and constructed under Contract Package 5 (P 747.5Million) of the Arterial Road Links Development Project (ARLDP) – Phase 5.
The impact evaluation study aims to assess the project’s contribution to the attainment of Cordillera’s goal on physical integration which is to develop an efficient and reliable transportation and communication network by an interconnection of provincial capitals and major growth centers and to build up the region’s economic backbone.
The study also looks into the socioeconomic impact of the completed road, focusing on its effects on the following: social welfare; transportation and traffic; provincial and municipal development; trade, mining and tourism; agriculture; environment; and over-all welfare of the people.
By NEDA RELEASE