The University Extension and Development Center (UEDC) of West Visayas State University (WVSU) conducted a three-day third-party impact assessment of the College of Nursing’s terminated extension project, “Rays of HOPE” (Home Health, Opportunity for Livelihood, Peace and Order, and Environmental Health), from August 11 to 13, 2026.

The assessment was undertaken as part of the extension project development cycle to determine the project’s long-term effects, sustainability, relevance, and continuing outcomes among its partner communities. The activity design identifies third-party impact evaluation as an important mechanism for determining whether the intended outcomes of completed extension interventions have been sustained, further developed, or adopted by beneficiaries.

Day 1: Consultation with College of Nursing Faculty

The first day, August 11, 2026, focused on a meeting with the College of Nursing (CON) faculty involved in the Rays of HOPE project.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the third-party evaluators and the project team to discuss the project’s implementation, accomplishments, and relevant documentation. It also served as an initial step in establishing the context for the assessment and identifying information that would guide the succeeding field activities.

The approved extension activity design provides that third-party evaluators initially conduct an assessment of submitted project documents before proceeding to field visitation and data collection among target community beneficiaries.

Day 2: Field Visitation and Data Collection

On August 12, 2026, the evaluation team proceeded to Barangay Alabidhan, Bingawan, Iloilo, where they conducted field visitation and data collection with barangay officials and beneficiaries of the Rays of HOPE project.

The field activity provided the evaluators with an opportunity to gather firsthand information on the project’s outcomes and its effects on the partner community. Through engagement with local officials and beneficiaries, the team assessed how the interventions and practices introduced through the project have been maintained, utilized, or developed over time.

The activity design specifically identifies field visitation and data collection as the second stage of the third-party evaluation process. It emphasizes the assessment of project outcomes and impacts, including the extent to which knowledge, skills, and practices introduced through the project have been adopted or institutionalized by beneficiaries.

Day 3: Impact Analysis and Evaluation Report

The three-day activity concluded on August 13, 2026, with an impact analysis and evaluation report meeting with the College of Nursing staff.

The final activity focused on consolidating and analyzing the information gathered during the document review and field visitation. The evaluators discussed the findings and assessment of the project, with the results intended to provide evidence-based recommendations for future extension initiatives.

The approved activity design states that the final stage of the evaluation involves impact analysis and preparation of the evaluation report, with the results subsequently shared with the respective project leaders.

Strengthening Evidence-Based Extension

The third-party assessment of Rays of HOPE underscores WVSU’s commitment to evaluating not only the implementation of its extension initiatives but also their long-term relevance, sustainability, and impact on partner communities.

Through the assessment, the University seeks to determine the extent to which the project’s intended outcomes have been sustained and the ways in which the knowledge, skills, and practices introduced by the project have continued to benefit its beneficiaries. The evaluation also aims to provide evidence that can guide the improvement of future extension programs and initiatives.

The three-day activity reflects the University’s continuing efforts to ensure that extension programs create meaningful and sustainable contributions to community development, while strengthening accountability and evidence-based planning in its extension work.