Philippine assistance program support

The evaluation covered the period 1/90-6/92. The project is providing important assistance to the GOP in accelerating the planning and financing of major infrastructure projects. Outputs and expenditures are ahead of schedule, and the number of studies and analyses should exceed targets. Completed studies are of high technical quality (with three exceptions) and have been well received by GOP agencies. These include 10 project-specific studies, 2 policy studies, an area development plan, and 3 small-scale studies of agro-industrial complexes (with 19 similar small studies planned). Also completed, though not a project target, is a plan for developing a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) program within the PAP Coordinating Council (CCPAP). In addition, 72 participants from local governments in Regions V, VI, X, and XI have received training in project feasibility. The performance of the various project contractors has ranged from excellent to inadequate. The selection of an 8A engineering firm for the key task of providing management and advisory support for CCPAP was a serious mistake, as the firm did not have the experience or staff for the job. The lesson is that a broad long-term contract should not be awarded to a small 8A firm, even one with substantial experience in one specialty, without serious consideration. (This contractor has now been replaced.) The inter-agency coordination and project facilitation work that CCPAP performs is a crucial function. The GOP needs to recognize this fact, and to provide the CCPAP with sufficient budget and staff. If this and other improvements recommended by the evaluation are acted upon, additional funding is strongly urged. The small study facility in particular warrants further support. USAID/P concurred with evaluation findings and will include the following as conditions precedent under a proposed grant amendment: (1) the GOP or other donors commit or program capital funding for any future studies undertaken; (2) BOT, Build-Operate-Own (BOO), and other private sector investment infrastructure projects take priority over public sector investments; (3) the GOP confirm CCPAP"s role, as noted above.