OneLab shows how outcome-focused impact assessment can reveal institutional benefits, emerging economic and environmental effects, and priorities for future laboratory networks.
Impact assessment often focuses on projects and immediate effects, while longer-term outcomes of laboratory networks remain less visible. This paper presents the impact assessment of the Philippines’ One-stop Laboratory Services for Global Competitiveness (OneLab), a national network designed to improve access to complementary laboratory capabilities and services. Using a Theory of Change and impact pathways, the assessment examines OneLab’s implementation and outcomes from 2012 to 2025, drawing on qualitative and quantitative evidence from laboratory stakeholders and users. Preliminary findings indicate contributions to improved access to testing, confidence in laboratory results, technical capacity, stronger inter-laboratory partnerships, and support for product certification and regulatory requirements. Economic and environmental effects are also emerging, although direct effects on business performance and environmental outcomes require further evidence. The assessment identifies conditions affecting sustainability, including referral mechanisms, digital-system integration, sample transportation, specialized personnel, equipment, infrastructure, funding, and accreditation.
The paper reflects on lessons from more than a decade of implementation and how these can inform future design, monitoring, and sustainability of laboratory networks. It demonstrates how outcome-focused impact assessment can move beyond documenting activities toward understanding whether science and technology investments generate sustained institutional, social, economic, and environmental value.
Ulysses M. Palmones is a Senior Science Research Specialist at DOST-PCIEERD, working on science, technology and innovation policy, program evaluation, and impact assessment.