BICOL RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT

The major project component includes the establishment of the Bicol River Basin Council, composed of a Board of Directors responsible for program integration and control. The Council oversees the Program Office, headed by the Executive Director and consisting of the divisions of Budget and Administration, Physical and Social Infrastructure, and Plans and Programs. The program will be implemented through management and planning, evaluative, social and physical infrastructure activities. A staff will be recruited for the Program Office, and a computerized project monitoring and management system will be designed and installed. The Plans and Programs division will review, approve, or disapprove field projects and operational plans to ensure that developmental activities remain integrated. Initial attention will be given to bringing projects to an operational level. A commissioned Technical Assistance Group (TAG) will be formed to provide physical and agricultural planning expertise; to supply resource personnel to support a farm training program; to conduct agribusiness, transportation, and water resource feasibility studies; and to strengthen the capabilities of the Plans and Programs Division. The Institute of Philippine Culture will be contracted to conduct socio-economic baseline surveys and annual reviews to determine the program"s impact and to recommend improvements. Development and implementation of projects concerning agribusiness, irrigation, on-farm water management, crop diversification, farm mechanization, livestock and fisheries are contained in the social infrastructure program. In addition, sharetenants will become land owners in a land reform project, and will have access to agricultural credits to help implement the above projects. The physical infrastructure program concerns the development of water resources, transportation, and electrical power sectors in the river basin. Revision number one to the project paper for the Bicol River Basin Development Project increases funding to $1.75 million and calls for a review by the end of FY75. It also makes distinctions between the Government of Philippines Bicol River Basin Development Program, and the more limited objectives of the project.