The baseline survey of the KALAHI-CIDSS project in the Philippines is an attempt to generate such insights and strengthen learning about CDD programs through rigorous evaluations. This evaluation follows the "good practices" prescribed by experts in that it collects quality baseline data in a representative sample of both intervention groups and matched comparison groups. This baseline survey not only provides valuable information about the KALAHI-CIDSS project, but also offers some guidance on developing technically sound evaluations for CDD programs. The survey finds that poverty is widespread in KALAHI-CIDSS municipalities. In all dimensions of poverty, means (income/expenditure, quality of labor supply), outcomes (education, health, housing and amenities), and perception (self-rated poverty), the incidence of poverty is estimated to be very high. The baseline survey also gets villagers' pre-intervention status on access to neighboring villages, local markets, schools, and other public facilities; travel time and transport costs; water and sanitation; health conditions; and education outcomes. In general, access conditions are very limited, indicating the poverty in KALAHI-CIDSS municipalities. Road conditions and access to water are especially poor when compared to other facilities such as education and health.
