A Newsletter of the World Bank DV_ _ _ _ Country Office Manila ___ Septemnber 2001 Volume 7 No.1 23229 New %ountry Director for the Philippines - -_= ] Signing of MMURTRIP WB C ountry Director for the Phiiippines Robert Vance Pulley and Fhannce SecretoryJose Isidro Comocho sign the loan and grant agreements for the project thut will help improve traffic in Metro Manila_ Gov't-GEF-WB ProjectTo 'mproveTraffic and Environment The World Bank will provide a US$60 The World Bank has a new The Philippine Government and the million loan while the Global Country Director for the World Bank recently signed the Environment Facility (GEF) will provide Philippines - RobertVance Pulley, agreements for a US$60 million loan and a US$1.3 million equivalent grant. The who assumed his post on July a US$1.3 million equivalent grant for the total project costs, including the 30. Van, as called by friends, is Metro Manila Urban Transport government's counterpart fund, are an economist who has been with Integration Project (MMURTRIP). estimated at US$97.6 million. the Bank for 14 years. Mr Pulley MMURTRIP aims to enhance the quality GEF provides grant and concessional succeeded Vinay Bhargava, who of life and economic productivity of Metro funds to countries for projects that aim has served in the Philippines for Manila residents by improving the to protect the global environment. It more than five years. efficiency and safety of the transport addresses four critical threats to the system through better access to public environment - biodiversity loss, climate Mr Bhargava has returned to the traspo andough noemtorizcced transpubt change, degradation of international Bank's headquarters in waters, and ozone deplenon. Washington D.C. as Senior In particular, the project will help reduce Ashinton D.c. asienior pollution by promoting the use of bicycle Help Lower-income Commuters Adviser to the Vice President of . . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~East Asia and the Pacific and in Marikina City as an alternative to "This project is another solid Acting Country Director for motorized transport. manifestation of the government's (f 7 (_ 6 Grarts for Mindanao Signed p2 * AToastto Partnership p4-S In This Issue SmalGGransforNGOProjctsp3 - RosellasjourneyofHopep7 ; 0 t: 00tWB~~ WSGrant to Help LGUsf p * Ftlipino Report Cardtp8 I3 - Gov't, WB Sign $2.45M Grants for Mindanao and Development (SZOPAD) Social Fund Project. It will finance capacity building and microfinance assistance for community-based and microenterprise activities of indigenous people, women and widows in the SZOPAD area. Using a set of agreed guidelines and xprocedures, sub-grants wll be awarded to non-government organizations (NGOs) and people's organizations (POs) for them to undertake capacity building assistance and provide credit and development in the region and to groups or individuals. The Philippine Government and render critical interventions to alleviate Sustainable Livelihood the World Bank signed last June two the dismal living conditions especially grant agreements for Mindanao of the sectors most severely victimized The Bank has received more than 50 totaling US$2.45 million. by war and poverty," he said. proposals from NGOs and POs The grants - the first to be financed Mr. Kassum said the two grants would amounting to US$2.15 million. by the Japan Social Development Fund expand the Bank's on-going assistance livelihood, which can be replicated and the second by the Bank - will for the long-term economic and social through follow-on assistance programs. support the government's programs development of Mindanao. that promote sustained peace and . . The second grant of US$950,000 will speedy reconstruction in Mindanao, Basic Services help in the preparation of a long-term particularly in conflict-affected On top of the grants, 18 of the 24 peace and development plan for communities. Bank-assisted projects, which total Mindanao. It will finance a social projec assessment of the needs of conflict- The agreements were signed by former U .i,, affected communities in Mindanao. Finance Secretary Alberto Romulo projects that provide basic services like and former WB Country Director for water, health and nutrition, schools The grant will also pilot test the Philippines Vinay Bhargava. The and textbooks, roads and irrigation approaches to enable evacuees and signing was witnessed by Jemal-ud- systems to the people in Mindanao. those directly affected by the armed din Kassum, the Bank's Vice President Mr. Kassum said the implementation conflict to return to their communities. for East Asia and the Pacific. of these projects could be accelerated Meanwhile, Mr. Bhargava emphasized Lasting Benefits as the peace and order situation in the need for the implementing agencies Mindanao improves. "Peaceful to have adequate staff, clear-cut Reiterating the government's conditions and a Mindanaoan-demand responsibilities and accountabilities. commitment to promote peace and driven program are prerequisites for "Moreover, design and development in Mindanao, Mr. Mindanao's long-lasting implementation should be based on Romulo said such assistance would development," he said. adequate consultation and feedback bring lasting benefits to the country. The first grant of US$1.5 million will mechanisms, which will be supported "It will help the government address be managed by the Fund Management by these grants," he said. the deep-rooted issues affecting peace Office of the Special Zone for Peace 1 2 WBNews Small Grants Program Supports 6 NGO Projects As ofJune 30, 2001 TheWorld Bank's Small Grants Program The approved projects are the following: * Enabling Philippine Civil Society Policy Development in Information and (SGP) recently approved the requests . ConferenceWorkshopTowards of six non-government organizations Developing a People's Monitoring CommunicationsTechnology Issues - Foundation for Media Alternatives, (NGOs) for funding of their projects. and Reporting Mechanisms of $9,271 $9,2 71 Government Proj.ects -Transparency These projects would support people's j monitoring of government projects, International Philippines, $10, 000 * Workshop on Capacity Building of POs and NGOs on the General reform in the government's revenue * Building Civil Society Support for collection, promotion of good Revenue Reforms - Foundation for Agreement on Tariffs and Trade- governance by legislatures in Asian Economic Freedom, Inc., I Uruguay Round Agreement on governance. . Agriculture -Philippine Rural countries, participation of civil society ° rr in information and communication * Asian Regional Forum on Legislative Reconstruction Movement, $10,000 technology policy consultation on tariff Oversight for Good Governance - on agriculture, and discussion on coastal- Center for Legislative Development, based resources management. $10,000 WB Grant to Help Poor LGUs Strengthen Financial Accountability UT aiactivities that will improve the improved. An audit methodology, The World Bank and the Philippine capability of poor LGUs in managing program and procedures will be Government recently signed the and auditing their financial resources designed and prepared, including an agreement for a $250,000 grant that and operations. audit manual and hands-on training will help poor local government units * h IIp* vI L of auditors. The organization structure (LGUs) strengthen their financial acif iall animprvsystem wUbe of the Comrmission of Audit (COA) accountability. prepared. The system includes afothauiofGUwialob The grant agreement was signed by financial management information assessed and improved. WB Country Director for the system plan and charts, integrated These activities will be implemented Philippines Robert Vance Pulley and regulatory and management reports, by the COA in coordination with the Finance SecretaryJose Isidro Camacho. manuals and hands-on financial Department of Finance through its Many poor LGUs have failed to management training of budget, Bureau of Local Government Finance effectively manage their financial treasury and accounting staffof LGUs, and Municipal Fund Office. The grant resources and operations because of and a financial management will benefit six pilot LGUs - fifih and weakened governance structure caused orientation for the LGU head and sixth class LGUs in Mindanao and by the regional financial crisis in the deputy one in Bicol; one first class LGU in late 1990s. Furthermore, the auditing system and Metro Manila and one average LGU In particular, the grant wIll support procedures of poor LGUs will be outside Metro Manila. 3 :t~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~t :~~~~ Tos toS : Counry irecor ina Bhagav andfou maager - loyius Ordu, Former Presiden t FdlRmos wishes the ..........~bes fonia hagv.frerWB Countr 3artn ership ; A ;0 V ; 0;;dV0:000 0 David Howarth (not in photo), Richard Anson, and Toru Hashimoto who have since left Manila for new assignments in the Bank's headquarters in Washington D.C. At the same time, they welcomed Robert Vance Pulley, the new Country Director, and Christian Rey, Manager, Operations and Country Services Group. Aloysius Orcdu, former Manager of the Portfolio Management Group, acknowledges the greetings from the Bank's guests. He is joined by his wife Allison. j lTru Hashimoto, former Team Leader of~ the Infrastructure. Group, and his _ -fe prepare for a. toast, Richard Anson formeream Leader Of the RavDebpment Group, and his vfe bara enjoy the evening :progrant 00 000002g i t50| Darnito Songco, national bL s 1__ :coordinator of CODE-NGO, shares his thoughts on the Banks partnership with NGOs. Conrad Navarro, then president of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, in the company of Anna Marie Nemenzo ofthe National Anti-Poverty Comrnmission and Marivic Raquiza of PRRM. s 1 3 _) I New Country Director for the Philippines Small Grants Program Myanmar and the Republic of Korea. helped implement a country program Supports GranG Projects Closer to Clients that supported improvements in health, Supports 6 NGO Projects Closer to Clients education and infrastructure, Mr. Pulley, who was instrumental in During his career at the Bank, he has reorganizing and decentralizing the worked on agricultural sector reform Documentation and Sharing of the Bank's operations in East Asia and the in Hungary; microfinance programs in Community-Based Coastal Resources Pacific in the last three years, cited the India; and infrastructure, urban, water Management Program in Ragay Gulf mportance of working closer to the and sanitation, municipal finance and Bank's clients, capacity building programs in Turkey - Philippine Business for Social and Buliam ______ ______ _____ ______ _____ and Bulgaria. Progress, $9,500 j Prior to working for the Bank -he Created by the Bank in 1983 as a special joined the Bank as an economist in initiative, the SGP promotes dialogue 3 1987 through theYoung Professionals and dissemination of information on Program - Mr Pulley managed a grants program in Indonesia as the field international development in forums r f C Relie _ ~~~~~~~~~~representative for Catholic Relief outside its operations. Since 1998, it Services in the Pacific Islands. has been managed and administered Community Development by the Bank's country office in Manila. Worker The SGP extends grants of $5,000 to As part of a volunteer corps set by $ 10,000 to projects of NGOs, Georgetown University and the Society Turn Over. Vinay welcomes Van, the newly of Jesuits, he also worked as a volunteer cooperatives, foundations and people's oppointed Country Director [or the Philippines. designing community outreach organizations. programs for an agricultural technical "From my experiences in the Bank and school in Central America. The grant should finance an activity that i ale omnt eeomn In earlier community development In18whnM.Plewaanitr focuses on development issues such as work, I realize how important it is to In 1983 when Mr Pulley was an intern poverty reduction, environmental be closer to clients; to build strong aye asay Development monthe protection, human resources and private partnerships with our many constituents In 1999, he participated in the Habitat sector development, private sector and the donor for Humanity's Jimmy CarterWork community; and to work together so Week in the Philippines, helping build Activities include conferences, seminars, tha t and to mak get houses for needy families in Dumaguete that we could really make a great Ct,Ngo retl special editions or start-up costs of difference in making people's lives Cty Negros Oriental. publications, audiovisual materials or better," he said. He holds a postgraduate degree in other innovative networking efforts that First Representative in Jamaica economics and public policy from organizations find difficult to finance Princeton Universft/sWoodrowWllson Mr Pulley was the Bank's first Resident School of Public and International Affairs through their regular program budgets. Representative in Jamaica, where for and a Bachelor of Science in four years he helped the government International Economics from the "Aw, establish a national social investment Georgetown University School of fund aimed at reducing poverty and Foreign Service. violence in the country's most disadvantaged communities. He also 6 U) 1 Gov't - GEF-WB Project Rosella's journey of Hope To Improve Traffic From Beerhouse to Schoolhouse commitment to improve the urban Rosela, 19. nervosly took the podium for the Out-of-School Children and environment and help public transport ostage whc s he shared Youth (OSCY) project was the most users, most of whom belong to the lower minteresting and exciting of all her income groups most exposed to the risks President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. assignments. Back in the Bank's associated with vehicular traffic and road With her were other leaders from headquarters, she now documents this hazards," said Finance Secretary Jose Isidro government, business, civil society and initiative for a Youth Development Camacho, who signed the loan and grant donor community Six years ago, Rosella Report agreements on behalf of the Philippine had not imagined herself being able to Government. address this crowd. At 13, she dropped I Robert Vance Pulley, newly-appointed out of school to work as an entertainer INewTaskTeam LeaderTeresa J. Ho oB Country Director for the Philippines, in a seedy drinking house. Her parents and nabonal staff Ronnie Oblepias, who signed both the loan and grant agreements believed that girls need not finish schooi visited the project sites to meet with on behalf of the Bank. Mayor Ma. Lourdes since they are consigned to become implementors and beneficiaries, said, Fernando of Marikina City, the beneficiary housewives. "We are much impressed by the process of the GEF grant, signed the grant Rosella is one among I I million of transfirmation that enriches youth and agreement. chlrnmentors alike." For her part, Director children and youth who could not attend Maureen Law of East Asia Sector for Everyday, millions of Metro Manila school for various reasons attributed Human Development, who was present residents commute via public transport to poverty Now, through a partnership at the signing of the agreement, noted like buses, jeepneys and tricycles. But they for Filipino out-of-school youth, she the high level of support for the initiative are often stuck in traffic jams and are can attend a technical education course from business, civil society and exposed to pollution. On a weekday, for in a center for young women, run by a government. instance, commuters have to bear slow church-based group. Many in the traffic along EDSA as vehicles travel an audience got misty-eyed as she narrated Indeed, the level of support is high. No average of only 15 kllometers per hour, her dream. "It is only now that I realize less than President Arroyo is involved one of the slowvest rate in Asia. how sweet it is to dream, to finish my in the project. She thanked the European Ease Traffic Along Major Highways technical education and be able to have and the Japanese communities, as well MMURTRIP aims to ease traffic along a decent job, help my family and send as formerWorld Bank Country Director EDSA, Light Rail Transport (LRT) 2 and my siblings to school. If and when I hove Vinay Bhargava, for this initiative and 3 and South Luzon Expressway by my own family, / will not let my children special efforts to support and make providing good pedestrian interchange experience what I have gone through." funds available to the project through facilities, public transport lanes, and the Asia Europe Meeting Fund of close improved urban street environment. It The center for young women is one of to US$I million and another US$I will also implement a local bike path several initiatives under the unique tri- million from the Japan Social network in Marikina City. sector partnership which the World Development Fund. Bank Office in Manila has supported MMURTRIP will be implemented by the since its inception. The project is The OSCY project was started when Department of Public Works and also part of the Global Partnership the President was still the Social Welfare Highways (DPWH) in coordination with for Youth Development, under the Secretary and honorary chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Business Partners for Development.The the whole consortium. She said, "It is Authority (MMDA) and Marikina City. partnership puts together business, the youth of today who will inherit this "I hope that in due time, with the diligent government, and civil society to form a country from us, and no matter how hard implementation of DPWH, MMDA, and powerful alliance that makes it possible we work to bring about peace and the City of Marikina, the general riding to share and complement funds and development today, everything will go to public will reap maximum benefits from resources that will help change the lives nought if a significant portion ofthe the project in terms of travel time, safety of the Filipino youthe Philippine youths are uniiba e to producttvely on the street, and in the case of Marikina partidpate ot peace and developmente" residents, a cleaner air to be brought about Jayshree Balachander, formerTaskTeam by less motorized traffic and congestion," Leader, recalled that the work she did said Mr. Pulley. 7 -~~~~ LO=Z The Filipino Report Card on Pro-Poor Services of them devise their own ways to get water, The Filipino Report Card on Pro-Poor even from contaminated sources. Rural Services is a means by which citizens can communities are underserved. Water provide credible and collective feedback consumption by the poor is low - less to public agencies about their performance. than 30 liters per capita per day, which It was based on a client satisfaction survey barely meets human requirements. done by the World Bank in collaboration Housing. The poor were dissatisfied about with the Social Weather Stations from their housing. In Mindanao and Visayas, March 26 to April 17, 2000. It covered two out of three households thought their 1,200 households distributed nationwide housing were inadequate. Dissatisfaction in four regions - National Capital Region, was higher in rural than in urban areas. Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Only one tenth of the respondents ever The Report Card provides new insights Health. Public health services were inferior. applied for housing assistance. A third of that go beyond traditional quantitative The cost of treatment, medicines and these did so because of government thatue gof pbeyon teraditiona quchasmntiaiey supplies were low, as well as the quality of relocation drives. Most of the housing measures of public services such as money facilities and services. The non-poor availed assistance was captured by the non-poor. spent, commodities delivered and volume most of these services than the poor do. of services provided. It gives a more Barangay health centers were bypassed Rice. The rice subsidy program benefited comprehensive coverage of the qualitative because of their poor services and the non-poor more than the poor. The dimensions. diagnosis, lack of medicine and supplies, middle and the rich were more aware of For instance, it answers such questions as: absenteeism and personnel's lack of skill. these stores than the poor. The rice sold What do ordinary citizens think of these lementay education. Public educaon in these stores, while low in cost, was services? Are they satisfied? How would is low in cost but poor in quality. The inferor in quality. they assess the quality and adequacy of dropouts were mostly from poor families such services? Do they think they are being in the rural areas. Two out of five children Prepared by a team led by Bhuvan Bhatnaggar Task treated well by government workers? not in school were Mindanao residents. Team Leader and comprising Musunuru Sam Rca The Report Card covers five key sectors: Health and economic factors were the ondAdorsh Kumar health care, elementary education, water main reasons for dropping out. Environment and Social Development Sector Unit supply, housing and subsidized rice Water. The poor pay more for water but EostAsia and Pacifc Regon distribution. they get less and they use less. And most May 30, 2001 i74 pages _nternational TohoseCne n.wvThe World Bank Country Office Manila Place 23/F The Taipan Place Stamp Emerald Ave,, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Here