Philippines : Bicol integrated area development

This report assesses the BRBDP's impact, emphasizing seven A.I.D. projects. The BRBDP to date has had a limited but promising impact. Much of the first 8 years has been spent building infrastructure (e.g., roads and irrigation systems); designing and starting projects (e.g., agroforestry); training staff (e.g., health workers); and raising resources. Although institutional coordination is satisfactory, the BRBDP is still too centralized. Participation has been adequate except at the critical farmer level; efforts to promote private investment have been few and unsuccessful. Additional detailed findings on the impact of roads and irrigation and on the BRBDP's effect on regional development and on institutions are presented. Experience gained under the Program has shown that: (1) the BRBDP is a viable model and the river basin a suitable unit for integrated area development and that consistent national support is a must; (2) while hyperbole may gain initial support, disappointment and loss of this support may result from the delays and problems which inevitably arise; (3) the concept of integration is more useful as a planning device than as an implementing procedure; and (4) early beneficiary participation is both possible and crucial to success, which is ultimately measured by changing attitudes. Thus, the authors note that the future success of the BRBDP depends on promoting greater farmer participation, increasing farmers' productivity, and on stronger, more creative leadership from the central BRBDP Program Office. Appended are an overview of A.I.D. assistance to the BRBDP; the scope and methodology of this evaluation; an economic analysis of the Program; a report on the benefits and beneficiaries of the BRBDP; a description of the BRBDP's institutional aspects; selected farmer profiles and a discussion of the importance of participation; and a list of 32 references (1967-81).