JBIC ODA Loan Project Mid-Term Review 2006
Evaluator: Asahi Ltd. (Toru Suetake)
Mid-Term Review Field Survey: January 2007
Project Title: The Republic of the Philippines “Help for Catubig Agricultural Advancement Project” (PH-P221)[Loan Outline]
Loan Amount / Contract Approved Amount / Disbursed Amount: 5,210 million yen / 1,826 million yen / 606 million yen (as of the end of September 2006)
Loan Agreement: May 2001 (5 years after L/A signing)
Original Project Completion Date: December 2007
Revised project Completion Date: December 2010
Loan Expiry Date: January 2011
Executing Agency: Provincial Government of Northern Samar
Operation and Maintenance Agency: National Irrigation Authority (NIA) (irrigation and drainage facilities), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) (nationalroads and bridges), Provincial Government of Northern Samar (PGNS) (farm-to-market roads), Municipalities of Catubig and Las Navas(MC an MLN) (water supply
facilities, ferry rack landings, facilities and equipment used in the control of schistosomiasis), Department of Agriculture (DA) (Regional Integrated Agricultural ResearchCenter (RIARC) facilities), Department of Health (DOH) (schistosomiasis control)
Selection Criteria for Mid-Term Review: Collaboration (schistosomiasis reduction measure)[Project Objective]
The objective of this project is to promote agricultural productivity and increased agricultural production in Catubig Valley in central eastern Northern Samar Province bydeveloping primary agricultural infrastructures such as irrigation facilities, thereby contributing to higher incomes for local farmers and improvement of public health andsanitation conditions.
Contractors (principal contractors with contract amount over 1 billion yen): None
Consultants (consulting services with contract amount over 100 million yen): Sanyu Consultants Inc. (Japan), Engineering and Development Corporation of the Philippines(Philippines), Hydroterre Consultants, Inc. (Philippines) (JV)1

[Mid-Term Review Result]
Item

Ex-Ante Evaluation (at the time of appraisal) (March 2001)

Relevance(1) National policy level
・ The first section mentioned, in the Medium Term Philippines
Development Plan (1999–2004) (see Note 1), was modernization ofagriculture, with the goal of increased agricultural production, foodsecure, and increased income in regional areas. Target areas of the
project were designated as priority areas for increasing foodproduction, and planned new installation and improvement ofirrigation facilities as a main measure.

Result of Mid-Term Review and Ex-Post Evaluation results
as estimated at the time of mid-term review(1) National policy level
・ The current Medium Term Philippines Development Plan (2004–2010)(see Note 2) mentions poverty reduction and agriculture promotion aspriority policies, and states promotion of farmland development,
encouragement of employment in the agricultural sector, increased
agricultural production, and maintaining of fair prices for agricultural
production. In particular, farmland development is set as the first goal forthe agricultural sector, and stated enhancement of irrigation facilities as ameans to the end. Consequently, this project is highly consistent with thenational policy.

(2) Policy level
・ Agricultural sector development policy: The Social Reform Agenda(SRA) was stated as the main policy issue, and the main objectives ofthe policy were poverty eradication and stable supply of food throughmodernization of agriculture.
・ This project was mentioned in the agricultural sector plan of theProvincial Development Plan of Northern Samar (2000–2005), in
which agricultural promotion of the Catubig area was planned with theprimary focus on this project, for local agricultural promotion andimprovement of transportation to markets, includingsuch as issuanceof regulations for agricultural assistance.

(2) Policy level・ Among the priority issues in the Eastern Visayas Region, which includes
Northern Samar, agricultural promotion is mentioned as a priority policy in
the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan and Investment Plan
(2004–2010). In this plan, it is planned to raise farmers’ income bypromoting education on agricultural modernization suited to the needs ofagricultural promotion, improving access to markets, and switching tovarieties with high yield and high pest resistance that are suited to market
needs. This is the same as the objectives of this project, and so the projectis highly consistent at the policy level.
・ In the 2005–2007 Provincial Development Plan and Investment Programof Northern Samar, agricultural promotion is mentioned as a priority
policy, and it states that the provincial government will be an agent inpromotion of this project. Consequently, there is no change in theprovince’s development policy based on agriculture.

(3) Planning level(3) Planning level2

・ Installation of economic and social infrastructure such as drainage
facilities was underdeveloped in the project area, and also the healthand sanitation condition, including infection with schistosomiasis, waspoor. Due to the delay in installation of agricultural infrastructure suchas irrigation facilities, agricultural production was low despite the factthat agriculture was the main source of income, such that the provinces
self-sufficiency in rice was less than 50%. Because improvement of
the living environment and livelihood through immediate installationof economic and social infrastructure was an urgent issue, the priority
level of this project was high.

Effectiveness(Impact)(1) Operation and effect indicators(i) Quantitative effects
・ Indicators at the time of the ex-ante evaluation were as shown below.

Indicators at the time of Ex-ante Evaluation
Outcome2000
Indicators(1) Macro indicators

7 years after
completion
3・ Nearly all the economic and social infrastructure such as irrigation anddrainage facilities in the project area is still in the planning and preparation
phase. Part of the construction has just started, and agricultural
productivity has not risen yet. However, the progress and completion ofthis project are expected. So its relevance at the planning level is high.
・ Regarding schistosomiasis, samples indicate that it affects over 10% of the
population in some fiscal years. Given that there is a possibility that theinfection rate is actually increasing, the priority level of this projectremains high.
(4) Other・ The foundation of this project is based on a development plan (F/S) by theWorld Bank in 1982. The main reason why it was not implemented in the
Catubig area is frequent anti-government activities. However, since suchactivities subsided at the end of the 1990s, this project came to be
implemented. At the time of this mid-term review, anti-government
activities had subsided even more that at the time of the appraisal,according to interviews with the Provincial Government of Northern
Samar. Consequently, security issues in carrying out this project havedecreased.
(1) Operation and effect indicators(i) Quantitative effects
・ The levels achieved at the time of the mid-term review are as shown below.
Because construction of irrigation and drainage facilities and improvementof farm-to-market roads are still not completed, almost no effectiveness or
impact has been displayed yet (i.e., there is little change in the figures since
the time of the ex-ante evaluation).
Indicators at the time of Mid-Term Review
Outcome2005 (at the time of 7 years after completion
Indicators
mid-term review)(2017)(1) Macro indicators

Increase in riceproduction (ton/ha)
Increase in rice
yield (ton/year)

0.90

5.00

4,475

39,813(calculated assumed aland usage ratio of
175% [wet season:
100%, dry season:
75%])
52,500

Income increase in
9,255
rice-farming
households (peso/
year/household)Increase in
6.0
21.7
national roads that(Will be passable toare passable in the
Municipality of Las
wet season
Navas(MLN))(distance [km]from nearest
trunk-line national
road)(2) Improvement of market access by farm road (shortened transport
hours)Catubig–Anongo
1h 20 min (boat)
Shorten by 75%
Las Navas–San
30 min (boat)
Shorten by 75%
IsidroNabulo–Bulao
1h 30 minShorten by 75%(boat and foot)(3) Public Health, etc.
Reduction in
MC: 2.1%
MC: 1.05%
infection rate of
MLN: 2.2%
MLN: 1.1%
schistosomiasis(1991–1993 data)(reduced 50%)

Increase in riceproduction (ton/ha)
Increase in rice
yield (ton/year)

5.00

4,475
39,813(3,996: reference(calculated assumed afigure, rice production
land usage ratio ofin Municipality of
175% [wet season:
Catubig (MC)100%, dry season:(Note 3)75%])
Income increase in
9,255
52,500rice-farming(4,000: reference
households (peso/
figure, average
year/household)household income in
Municipality of
Catubig (MC))(Note 4)
Increase in national
6.0
21.7
roads that arepassable in the wet
season (distance[km] from nearest
trunk-line national
road)(2) Improvement of market access by farm road (shortened transport
hours) (Note 5)（1h 20 min (boat)）（Shorten by 75%）
Catubig–Anongo（30
min(boat)）（Shorten by 75%）
Las Navas–San
Isidro（1h 30 min（Shorten by 75%）
Nabulo–Bulao(boat and foot)）(3) Public Health, etc.
Reduction in

4

0.90

MC: 3.0%

MC: 1.05%

(%) (patients/
population)
Increase inhouseholds
receiving watersupply service(households)
Increase in numberof Irrigator
Associations (IAs)
Economic internalrate of return(EIRR)Net benefit

MC: 2,999 households
MLN: 1,303
households(1999 data)

MC: 3,444 households
MLN: 2,988
households

2

9

0%

14%

0

356 million pesos

infection rate of
MLN: 3.9%
MLN: 1.1%
schistosomiasis(reference figure)(reduced 50%)(%) (patients/(Note 6)
population)
Increase in
MC: 2,999 households MC: 3,444 households
households
MLN: 1,303
MLN: 2,988 households
receiving water
households
supply service(households)
Increase in number
10
12
of Irrigator
Associations (IAs)(Note 7)
Economic internal
0%14%rate of return(EIRR)Net benefit
0356 million pesos(ii) Qualitative effects
・ Poverty alleviation
・ Improvement of public health and sanitation conditions along lower
reaches of the Catubig River through installation of water supply
facilities.

(ii) Qualitative effects
・ Poverty alleviation: Since improvement in farmers’ incomes is anticipatedfollowing the completion of the project, it is likely that the local income
level will further rise.
・ Improvement of public health and sanitation conditions along lower
reaches of the Catubig River: After the completion of drainage channels asa measure against schistosomiasis, usage of public toilets is adequately
understood by residents. Toilets with septic tanks have increased, andfurthermore, if water supply service increases, improvements in publichealth and sanitation condition along the lower reaches of the Catubig
River may be realized.

(2) Factors which may influence the effectiveness and impact(2) Factors which may influence the effectiveness and impact
5

・ Environmental considerations: At the time of planning, it was statedthat there would be no development involving serious environmental
destruction (receipt of the Environmental Compliance Certificate[ECC] from the Philippine government at the time of appraisal
confirmed)
・ Social considerations (resident relocation, etc.): At the time ofplanning, there was no large resident relocation accompanying landacquisition.
・ Collaboration: Collaboration with and support from JICA specialists(in irrigation) at NIA is planned. On the other hand, collaboration
with local NGOs is planed to support establishment of famamer’sorganization and training as well as health education for residents as ameasure against schistosomiasis.

6

・ Environmental considerations: In consideration for environmental impact,
a separated-type irrigation dam is planned, and so it is determined that
there will be no significant impact on the flow volume of the river.
Consequently, it is concluded that there will be no development that causes
environmental destruction.
・ Resident relocation: No resident relocation has occurred heretofore.
・ Collaboration: Collaboration with JICA is desirable for establishing
farmers’ organizations, spreading and educating agricultural techniques,.
Regarding collaboration with NGOs, collaboration is already being
conducted in assistance for establishment of water users’ associations.
Henceforth, collaboration is desirable in fields such as raising residents’awareness of countermeasures for schistosomiasis and guidance on
operation and maintenance of water supply facilities.
・ There were some cases at the time of the mid- term review that public
toilets are used for purposes other than their intended purposes, such as
storage, although they are part of the schistosomiasis countermeasurescomponent.. Unless people understand the appropriate reason for
installation of public toilets and actual usage of public toilets is promoted,
there is a concern that reduction of the schistosomiasis infection rate will
be limited.
・ Operation and maintenance system at the community level: The operationand maintenance of water supply facilities, public toilets, and foot bridges(small-scale bridges) is to be transferred to the community after
completion. However, there are many cases where the operation andmaintenance systems of communities have not been established. For
example, the problem is that they do not collect water fees. When repairs
are needed, they can not repair because of shortage of money. Also, somefoot bridges were already damaged before transferred to the community.
When transferring, it is desirable not only to transfer skills such as
financial management, systems for water fee collection and operation, butalso to established and provide guidance for operation/management

structure such as raising the consciousness of users regarding the operationof public assets.
・ Method of implementing training concerning establishment of farmers’organizations, etc.: NIA contracted with an NGO to implement trainings
for leaders of the farmers on irrigation facility management, leadershiptraining, and financial management. However, considering the farmers’situation and their needs, it appears necessary to extend the target fortrainings, not only leaders of farmers but also tenant farmers, and toincorporate content that is more practical and applicable for them.
Specifically, approximately 70% of the farming in the project area iscontract farming by tenant farmers. Even if the area that can be irrigated is
expanded, it is necessary to receive permission from the landowner tointroduce modern agricultural practices such as building ridges for
irrigation around plots, in order to actually farm using irrigation. Even if
permission is received from a landowner, it will be necessary to sign acontract stated the terms and conditions of negotiation with the landowner,
about the expense of introducing modern agricultural practices such as
ridge-building. After implementation of the project, it seems necessary for
tenant farmers to provide some legal assistance, in order to expand direct
opportunities to work by farm extension. Also, it is desirable to implement
practical trainings based on current conditions, such as trainings
concerning legal knowledge on how to prepare contracts that are legallyvalid with the landowner in order to introduce modern agriculture, how toplant produce while watching market conditions, and how to conduct
quality management of produce.
・ Instructor development: Preparation of the project demonstration farmconstructed by NIA as a base for training and of the test site of the
Department of Agriculture are nearly complete, and facilities for providing
assistance on a continuing basis are adequate. Also, to assist theestablishment of farmers’ organizations, NGO instructors are using not
only these facilities but also community meeting halls to provide guidance7

to leaders of farmers. However, to further spread farmers’ organizations
and agricultural management support, it is necessary for local government
units to continue activities to spread and educate concerning modern
agricultural techniques at the community level. Since the contract with
NGO instructors will expire following implementation of the project, it isdesirable to develop agricultural instructors in local governments who haveadequate expert techniques and knowledge and who are capable ofconducting training and guidance in the community.
・ Operation and maintenance system for facilities and equipment forschistosomiasis countermeasures: Currently the public health agency ofNorthern Samar Province is not participating in the project, and there is notadequate coordination among the regional hospital of Northern Samar
Province, county health centers, and health and sanitation promotion staff
at the community level. For this reason, for example, basic statistical datasuch as the schistosomiasis infection rate is not accurately known, and theonly data on the infection rate is from sample studies. Moreover, thenumber of communities infected can be known based on the residences ofpatients who come for treatment, but there is no way of knowing thenumber infected with schistosomiasis who do not seek treatment. To boost
the sustainability of the project effects, it is desirable to gather baseline
data through health and sanitation promotion staff at the community level
and to continually monitor the data.
Information
for reference
Efficiency(1) Outputs
Consulting Services 376 M/M(1) Outputs
Consulting Services Outlook 376 M/M
Indicators
2006 Actual2017 Planned(i) Installation of new irrigation facilities / drainage channels
on-farm facilities
0 ha
4,550 ha (altered by(ha)onsite measurementand detailed design)

2007 Planned at thetime of appraisal(i) Installation of new irrigation facilities / drainage channels
on-farm facilities (ha)4,374 haDam and intake facilities construction
3 locations
Indicators

8

Main irrigation canal construction
76.9 km
Lateral canal
66.6 km
Main drainage canal construction
42.1 km
Drainage canal construction
76.7 km
Service Road Construction
143.5 km
Project Demonstration Farm
2 locations
Land leveling
910 ha(ii) Improvement of trunk-line roads/bridges (national roads) andfarm roads (farm-to-market access roads [provincial roads])
National road improvement
8.8 kmNational road repair
1.1 kmBridge construction
1 location
Bridge and boat landing construction
2 locations
Trunk-line road repair
12.9 km
Farm to Market Road Construction
41.5 km(iii) Schistosomiasis countermeasures
Main drainage improvement
54.3 km
Secondary drainage facilities
48.2 km
Tertiary drainage facilities
9 km
Public toilets
291 locations
Education on schistosomiasis countermeasures (training andeducation)
Schistosome (blood fluke) control(iv) Water supply facilities improvement
Local water facilities improvement
58 communities(v) Agricultural management guidance, establishment of farmers’organizations (setting up of irrigation districts)
Repair of Agricultural Research Center
Spread of and education concerning modern agriculture (spreadof education and training)

Dam and intake
facilities
construction
Main irrigation canalconstruction

0 location

3 locations

0 km

77 km (recalculated due
to partial change inproject area, onsite
measurement, anddetailed design)
53 km (same as above)
71 km (same as above)

Lateral canal
0 km
Main drainage canal
0 km
construction
Drainage canal
0 km
73 km (same as above)
construction
Service Road
0 km
123 kmConstruction(same as above)
Project
2 locations (Note 8)
2 locations
Demonstration FarmLand leveling0 ha
910 ha(ii) Improvement of trunk-line roads/bridges (national roads) and farmroads (farm-to-market access roads [provincial roads])
National road
0 km
11.57 km (including
improvement/constr
1.4km. by-pass road )uctionNational road repair
0 km (included in the
0 km (included in theabove “national roadabove “national road
improvement”)
improvement”)
Bridge construction
0 location
1 location
Bridge and boat
0 location
2 locations
landing construction
Trunk-line road
12.9 km12.9 kmrepair9

Assistance for establishment of farmers’ organizations
Local government capacity-building
Capacity-building of related government agencies

Farm to Market
3 km
Road Construction(iii) Schistosomiasis countermeasures
Main drainage
0 km
improvement

Secondary drainage
facilities
Tertiary drainage
facilities
Public toilets(Note 9)

Education on
schistosomiasis
countermeasures(training andeducation)
Schistosome (blood
fluke) control

109.03 km

0 km

64 km (recalculated
due to partial change
in project area, onsite
measurement, anddetailed design)
64 km (same as above)

0 km

0 km (same as above)46 locations

Public toilets: 76
locations
Communal toilets:(owned by 2–3
families): 600
locations (Plan alteredin 2004 in reflectionof living habits oflocal residents inproject area)

Eradication
campaign
implemented in 2005

Equipment not yet
delivered to healthcenters in
Municipality of Las

Navas andMunicipality of
Catubig(iv) Water supply facilities improvement
Local water facilities
0 community
improvement

44 communities (14communities removed
from project because
they were not suited towater supply facility
installation based on
the water source study)(v) Agricultural management guidance, establishment of farmers’organizations (setting up of irrigation districts)
Repair of
0 location
1 location
Agricultural
Research Center
Spread of and2 times (leadershipeducation
training for leadersconcerning modernof water users’
agriculture (spreadassociations andof education andtraining for irrigation
training)
facility management,
one time each)
Assistance for10 organizations
12 organizations
establishment offarmers’organizations
Local government
Implementation
capacity-building
manual prepared andrelated training held
Capacity-building of
Implementation11

related government
agencies(2) Project cost
6,947 million yen (ODA loan portion: 5,210 million yen)

(2) Project cost
ODA loan portion: 5,210 million yen (Whether there is a change in the total
project cost is not yet confirmed)(3) Project period
May 2001—December 2007

Lessons
Learned andRecommend
ationsIndicators set
for use at thetime ofex-postevaluation

manual prepared andrelated training held

(3) Project period
May 2001—December 2010 (117 months) (planned)
At the time of the ex-ante evaluation, this project was scheduled to begin in
2001, but due to delays in procurement procedures, the project actually began
in 2003. For this reason, the project’s scheduled completion date was changed
to 2010.
・ The executing agencies are concerned only with achievement of the output objectives and have low awareness concerning achievement of the outcome
objectives. For this reason, at the time of this mid-term review, many examples were seen where the degree of progress in the outcome was not being
consciously monitored. It is recommended that a system for monitoring achievement of outcome objectives be set up.
・ Multiple executing agencies participated in this project, with the Provincial Government of Northern Samar acting as coordinator. However, actual
implementation was delayed due to participation by executing agencies that are not accustomed to procurement procedures and several domestic
circumstances such as delay in counterpart budget execution due to a change in the government administration. JBIC holds seminars annually during the
project period regarding JBIC’s mechanism for procurement and loan disbursement in an effort to improve expertise of the executing agencies, but due
to the fact that the staff in charge was replaced, the expertise of the current staff need to be further developed. Therefore, for implementation of the
project according to schedule, it is likely to be effective to conduct checks of counterpart budget execution, together with further improving theunderstanding of the executing agencies concerning JBIC’s mechanisms for loan implementation and approval procedures as well as providing advice
for assisting with procurement procedures to the executing agencies that are unaccustomed to procurement procedures.
(1) Macro indicators(1) Macro indicators
Increase in rice production (ton/ha)Same as left.
Increase in rice yield (ton/year)
Income increase in rice-farming households (peso/year/ha)
Increase in national roads that are passable in the wet season (distance[km] from nearest trunk-line national road)12(2) Improvement of market access by farm road (shortened transport
hours)Catubig–Anongo
Las Navas–San Isidro
Nabulo–Bulao(2) Improvement of market access by farm road (shortened transport hours)
Regarding the improvement of farm roads for access to markets, a revision
was made to the plan such that roads for the operation and maintenance of
irrigation canals are usable as farm roads so as to improve convenience oftransit. Consequently, in order to measure the time saved when accessing
markets as an outcome of this project, the executing agency expressed a desire
to switch the measuring standards from transport hours using farm roads as
initially planned to transport hours using Hagbay Road and the irrigation canal
operation and maintenance road in Catubig–Las Navas segment.
Given these changes, the time saved was:・ Catubig–Las Navas: 60 minutes using the irrigation canal operation andmaintenance road;・ Las Navas–San Isidro: 8 minutes using the irrigation canal operationand maintenance road;・ Nabulo–Bulao: 23 minutes using the irrigation canal operation andmaintenance road.
(Reference: Another new route of Farm–to-Market road declared by the
Executing Agency in December 2007.)
Outcome Indicators
Quezon – Las Navas
Bulao – Las Navas
Sta. Fe –Las Navas/Catubig
Las Navas – San Isidro(3) Public health, etc.
Reduction in infection rate of schistosomiasis (%) (patients/population)
Increase in households receiving water supply service (households)
13

2005 (at the time of 7 years after completion(2017)
mid-term review)
2 hours by walking
Shortened by 85%
3 hours by walking
Shortened by 85%
2 hours by walking Shortened by 85%
plus 1 hour by boat
1 hours by boat
Shortened by 60%(3) Public health, etc.
Reduction in infection rate of schistosomiasis (%) (patients/population)
Increase in households receiving water supply service (households)

Increase in number of water users’ associations (number of associations)
Economic internal rate of return (EIRR) (%)

Increase in number of water users’ associations (number of associations)
Economic internal rate of return (EIRR) (%)
Decrease in incidence of water born diseases (number of incidence)

Note 1) Medium Term Philippines Development Plan 1999–2004, National Economic and Development Authority, 1999
Note 2) Medium Term Philippines Development Plan 2004–2010, National Economic and Development Authority, 2004
Note 3) Because statistics on the increase in rice yield (ton/year) in Northern Samar Province were unavailable, rice production in Municipality of Catubig is provided as reference.
Note 4) Because statistics on the income increase in rice-farming households (peso/year/household) in Northern Samar Province were unavailable, average household income in
Municipality of Catubig is provided as a reference.
Note 5) Because the plan was altered so that not only farm roads but also roads for operation and maintenance of irrigation canals became available for use for farming and so theroad improvement condition in the project area changed, the executing agencies desired to change the outcome objective levels. Refer to “Indicators set for use at the timeof ex-post evaluation (2).”Note 6) This figure, which is given for reference purposes, is the schistosomiasis infection rate calculated from a study that was conducted in several communities in Municipalityof Catubig and Municipality of Las Navas where there were known to be infected persons. The population used by the study did not consist of all communities in the
project area.
Note 7) Number of water users’ associations. In 2006, 10 associations were established. The number of associations was revised upward due to the fact that the region to be
irrigated was accurately calculated through onsite measurement and detailed design as well as the fact that areas initially targeted for irrigation were removed from the
project at the request of land owners, and to offset that, irrigation was expanded to areas not originally included in the project.
Note 8) Activities corresponding to “(vi) Strengthening of organizations” which use these facilities are underway, and understanding of agricultural modernization is gradually
spreading among farmers.
Note 9) Public toilets are toilets with septic tanks installed in public spaces in communities which anyone can use. Communal toilets are toilets in spaces shared by multiple
families and are shared by multiple families; usage of a toilet is limited to the members of the families that share it.

14