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Introduction
OECD 1999
Chapter 9
The Anatomy of Country Assistance Evaluation:
Case Study of the OED Philippines CAR
by Gianni Zanini
Operation Evaluation Department, World Bank
When the Operation Evaluation Department (OED) began work on the
Philippines in early 1997, our methodology for country assistance evaluations was
still in its infancy. Five country assistance reviews (CARs) had been completed, and
two others were underway. Since 1997, our methodology has evolved further and
our range of products has expanded to include shorter, less resource-intensive
country assistance notes (CANs). This chapter illustrates the process and methodology
issues related to the Philippines CAR.
The Philippines represented an interesting case. It was experiencing rising
growth rates in the mid-1990s, but was a laggard with respect to the East Asian miracle
economies. It was an early adjuster, but with hiccups in a difficult political environment.
It had achieved a broad political consensus on a liberalised, exportoriented
environment, but was still not a major recipient of FDI (Foreign Direct
Investment). It still had a large Bank assistance programme, but Bank lending was
diminishing due to large private capital inflows.
The timing of our CAR was driven by the desire to influence the preparation
of the next Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) by the Bank. The Philippines is on
a 3-year CAS cycle, with a progress report scheduled in between. The Philippines
CAR was due to be completed around the time of a progress report (early 1998),
well in advance of the preparatory work for a full CAS (expected in mid-1999).
Indeed, for maximum impact it is better to issue our country evaluations just
before a CAS progress report rather than just before a full CAS. In the former case,
CAS preparation takes place after the Bank has had a chance to absorb the findings
and recommendations of the report and subsequent guidance from the Executive
Directors based on the evaluation findings and the region’s presentation of
a progress report. In the latter case, however, there is usually not enough time for
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