The Regional Operation and Maintenance Audit Team (ROMAT) from the Regional Field Office (RFO) Bicol, conducted an Operations and Maintenance Assessment System (OMAS) activity for completed subprojects in the Province of Camarines Norte on May 20-22, 2025.

The OMAS collaborated with the PRDP Regional Project Coordination Office (RPCO) Bicol’s Monitoring and Evaluation Learning (MEL) Unit, I-BUILD Component, Finance Unit, and Administrative Unit.

The activity commenced with field visits to two completed Farm-to-Market Roads (FMR) in the municipality of Basud. The team first inspected the 21.05-kilometer Construction/Rehabilitation of Pinagwarasan to Lanot FMR, completed in 2020 under the Original Loan (OL), followed by the 5.77-kilometer Concreting of Angas–Lidong FMR, completed in 2019, also under the OL. The site visited last was an I-REAP subproject in Labo: The Camarines Norte Pineapple Trading and Processing Project, completed in 2021 under the OL.

During the field assessment, MEL Officer Michelle Sapalaran discussed the OMAS evaluation criteria. She emphasized that each subproject is assessed based on three major aspects: Functionality – evaluating whether the subproject serves its intended purpose; Physical Condition – inspecting infrastructure components such as roadways, drainage systems, and safety features; and Social and Institutional Status – assessing the effectiveness of local government units (LGUs) and community organizations in operations and maintenance (O&M), including the existence of O&M funds, plans, policies, and supporting mechanisms.

An exit meeting with the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Camarines Norte was conducted to address the issues and concerns raised during the audit. The Provincial Project Management and Implementation Unit (PPMIU) team expressed its commitment to act on ROMAT’s findings and recommendations on the FMR.

A separate exit meeting was also conducted with the Labo Progressive Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LPMPC) regarding the I-REAP subproject. The cooperative assured the audit team that the recommendations would be acted upon and committed to submitting the necessary financial documents within one week.

The audit was attended by ROMAT members including Engr. Henry Espinar, Regional Agricultural and Engineering Division (RAED); Irene Mondido, MEL Unit Head; Patrocinio B. Collao I, I-REAP Component Head; and Lorraine Mae Cortez, Finance Unit Head.

ROMAT utilized the O&M audit tool to assess the PLGU’s implementation of their O&M plans in terms of physical, financial, and institutional performance. A comprehensive OMAS report containing findings and recommendations will be submitted to the PPMIU for prompt and appropriate action. #