WB Approves 2 RP Projects For Mindanao and Poor Rural Communities T he World Bank has approved a US$33.6- million loan to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Social _ Fund Project that will help improve the access of conflict-affected 500 barangays in Mindanao to basic social services such i as potable water, medicine, health clinics, and other rural infrastructure. It will also improve farm-to-market roads and provide immediate jobs for those who will build the infrastructure. At the same time, the second phase of the The Philippine Govemment and the World Bank recently signed the US$33.6-million loan agreement for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Social Fund Project in Davao City. (From left) ARMM Agrarian Refrrm Communities Proj)ect Govemor Porouk Hussin, Finonce Undersecretaryjuanito Amotong WB Country Director Robert Vonce Pulley, (ARCDP II), to which the Bank has and WB Task Manoger MaryJudd. approved a US$50-million loan, will and 2,400 barangays. The region is at the community demand-driven strategy, the benefit some 80 rural communities, center of armed conflict in Mindanao and poorest sector of the community would inCILiding 70,000 families engaged in , ,,. . r . . icruing 7 fami . livelies engag ted . has the highest poverty incidence and the be able to participate fully in priortizing lowest level of quality of life in the country. and implementing subprojects tha; meet The project aims to reduce rural poverty The project will be implemented by the their basic needs. and enhance the quality of life of agrarian ARMM Social Fund Office under the Specifically, the project will providi the reform communities (ARCs) by improving Office of the President and the ARMM following: their productive assets, rural infrastructure, Regon GoePrnent. Sustaintod and access to key support services. * Gustained access to social and "The project prioritizes groups most economic infrastructure and services affrected by deprivation and displacement by- the poor and conflict-affected poor The ARMM Social Fund Project aims to caused by armed conflict, including the communities foster lasting development in ARMM by poorest community members, the elderly, Capacity building for women, youth reducing poverty and supporting activities widowed women, internially displaced and other community groups for that promote a peaceful and safe persons, indigenous people, children and improving food security, employment environment ih conflict-affected areas. out-of-school youth," WB Task Manager opprtuite and se hold inomes Mary P. undd said.household incomes It covers the ARMM, which consists of Improved social cohesion and five provinces, one city, 94 municipalities She said that based on the project s j Z ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~partnerships between and within the (_' 7 Grant for LGUs p2 * More KDCs Launched p4-S In This Issue Grant for Procurement Reforms p2 * Meet the Bank's New Staff p6-7 WB Calls for Clean Air p3 - RP Environment Monitor p8 WB-Assisted Project Promotes Citizen's Participation grant agreement for a project progress in government pro-poor that will allow citizens to participate programs and services in budgeting and allocating resources of their local governments' poverty Poverty Reduction Report reduction programs has been signed A At the end of its two-year by the World Bank, the government, implementation, the project is and the Caucus of Development expected to come up with a public NGO Networks (CODE-NGO). 4 * report on poverty reduction The grant of US$718,269 from the - V performance of the local government Japan Social Development Fund will units in the 10 communities be used to implement the project r WB Country Director Robert Vance called Developing Community _ Pulley said that by assisting citizens Capacitiesfor Pro-Poor Budgeting and to take an active role in ensuring Local Government Accountabiltyfor that resources allocated for their Poverty Reduction. Stgning of the grant agreement (from left) Hiromichi Sakuma. Third Secretary communities are used as planned, The agreement was signed by and Financial Attache of the Japanese Embossy, Finonce Assistant Secretary there would be greater impact on Finance Assistant Secretary Robert Robert Tan, WB Country Robert Vonce Pulley, and CODE-NGO National the poverty reduction programs and Tan, CODE-NGO National CoordinatorJoel Pagsonghan anti-corruption efforts In these Coordinator Joel Pagsanghan, and WB participation of citzenis in tracking poverry communities Country Director Robert Vance Pulley CODE- incidence and makmng local government "Apart from being advocates for effective NGO Chairperson Aurora Tolentino and budgets and expenditures more transparent budgeting, the communities will also serve as Hiromichi Sakuma, Third Secretary and and accountable citizen monitors of local government Financial Attache of the Japanese Embassy, The project will select 10 communities and commitments to poverty reduction and good witnessed the signing help them Identify their needs, advocate for governance," said CODE-NGO Chairperson The project will contribute to reducing poverty the appropriate allocation of resources for their Aurora Tolentino at the local government level by increasing the priorities, track expenditures against " Grant to Help Gov't Implement Procurement Reforms -Tn assessment, which recommended reforms to institutionalize the reforms identified in the T he Philippine government and the World address problems in public procurement of Procurement Law and would help Bank have signed a grant agreement of goods, supplies, materials, and consulting professionalize government procurement US$294,000 for a project that will help services. practice through continiuous training programs implement procurement reforms such as the and enhanced capacity-building measures," establishment of a procurement oversight Solving Procurement Problems she said agency Some ofteidentified prbeswere the of the problems We strongly support these important reforms The grant will be implemented by the confusing web of procurement regulations, that should speed up projects and reduce waste Department of Budget and Management delays, collusion, lack of transparency, excessive and corruption in government procurement," (DBM), the agency responsible for improving use of discretionary criteria, and lack of WB Country Director Robert Vance Pulley the government's public expenditure competition. T hese usually lead to graft and said management through more effective corruption and translate in increased cost of expenditure systems, including procurement doing business for both the government and He said that under the Bank-assisted Social reforms private sectors. Expenditure Management Pro)ect, for example, the Department of Education and the DBM The grant will also help the government prepare Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin said the th e me c ation and thent and complete the implementing rules for the government has taken several steps to reform introduced more competitive and transparent recently passed Procurement Law, develop and public procurement such as the consolidation chairs Reforms translated in government implement a training program for procuremenit and streamlining of the different procurement savmgs of up to US$20 million, out of an officials; and transform the procurement service rules and procedures through the issuance of estimated buddp g of US$50 milhon This under the DBM into a corporate entity Executive Order 20 in 2001 and the meant more textbooks for schoolchildren and development of the Government Electronic better quality of content and paper, he These activities were identified by the Procurement System. explained government, the Asian Development Bank explamed and the WB in their )oint procurement "This grant Is timely as It would help us 2 WB Backs Campaign for Clean Air and Forum at the World Trade Center. The exhibit focused on r) St \lv integrating solutions, technologies, and programs that support clean air - 5 ta t N _X1 tko 5' Cleon air for all, for the country's futurei Philippine Environment Monitor 2002 on Air Quality during the event, which "Let's All Act to Clean the Air." This included a cycling contest, a fun run, is the theme of the World Bank's and a five-kilometer run. Philippine Environment Monitor on Further, the winners of the poster and Air Quality, which was recendy launched essay writing contests with the theme, to support the government's campaign Wanted Clean Air, were announced. for clean air. The contests aimed to raise awareness A student one of the winners in the essay wnting , ,, .,, ~~~~contest receives a bicycle from Marnkma City Mayor Furthermore, the Bank, supporting the among public schoolchildren in Mandres Ferando anWB Country DirectornVan Pulley use of non-motorized transport, Marikina on the need for clean air. participated in Silakbo 2002 (Sikad, ABS-CBN's Bantay Usok team, Lakad, Takbo Para sa Malinis na Hangin) meanwhile, provided free emission tests at the Marikina Sports Park on to diesel and gasoline vehicles. December 15, 2002. For its part, the Bank and ABS-CBN The event, which called for people to Foundation have earlier aired radio plugs support efforts to make air cleaner, was that informed the public on the socio- organized by the Office of the Mayor economic and health risks of pollution. of Marikina, the Department of It also discussed the findings of the Environment and Natural Resources, Report with journalists and other ABS-CBN's Bantay Usok Foundation, stakeholders and the Firefly Brigade. The Bank also participated in the The Bank distributed copies of the Partnership for Clean Air's Exhibition Bike for clean air bike for life 3 KWA 3S - WB Opens More KDCs I in Makati, 3 in Mindanao The World Bank, in partnership with academic institutions, recently opened to the public four Knowledge for Development Centers (KDCs) in the Philippines as part of its efforts to create, share and apply knowledge that will help promote growth and reduce poverty. A KDC is an information center that gives free access not only to WB project documents, publications, and reports e but to other development literature I i L. published by other institutions. l KDCs also have computer bays which Fr Ramon Ma Bemobe (right), President of Notre Dome University, with WB Country Director Robert Vonce provide access to online documents and Pulley and a professor dunng the opening of the KDC in Catobato City reports of the Bank. They use the Global in Makati City, University of the Bank's keen desire to reach out to Jolis cataloguing system that allows users Southeastern Philippines in Davao City, those who have lesser opportunities for to view the collection and access selected. Notre Dame University in Cotabato knowledge creation, sharing, and documents of the Bank from its more City, and Western Mindanao State application. than 60 information centers around the University in Zamboanga City. world. He said the Bank also acknowledges the The Bank's KDCsarelocatedatthe WB Country Director Robert Vance special needs of Mindanao as the poorer ThesBankInstitue KD Mar catedt theM) Pulley emphasized that the opening of members of the population are mostly the KDCs in Mindanao demonstrates found in Mindanao. At present, 16 of the 22 projects being supported by the World Bank in the Philippines have investments or activities in Mindanao. These projects aim to provide basic social services to the poor and improve their living standards. Dr. Eldigario D. Gonzales, President of Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City, thinks that the cause of the Mmidanao crisis is "the inadequacy of education and its solution, adequacy of education. Students browse through WB pubhlcations in one of the KDCs in Mindanao 4 Dr juleto Ortiz, Officer-in-Charge of University of Southeostern Philippines, welcomes the Tounsm Secretory Richord Gordon and Zomboongo City Moyor Coro Lobregat cut the ribbon dunng the guests during the inaugurotion of the KDC in opcning of the KDC ot Western Mindonoo Stote University Davoo City He said: "The mainstream educational DRC will enliven the commitment to center of development expertise, institutions have provided one part of encourage the use of technology in research, and learning for the region. the solution to the Mindanao problem. education," said AIM President Roberto The World Bank KDCs will supply the De Ocampo. Besides these four newly-opened KDCs, other part of the solution." the World Bank office also manages its The AIM-WB DRC is a member of the own KDC on the ground floor of its The KDC at AIM is part of the AIM- global network of distance learning office building in Ortigas Center WB Development Resource Center centers under the World Bank's Global (DRC). This unique partnership links Development Learning Network, a the Bank's information and technology network and AIM's capability to develop programs and provide business, development, entrepreneurship, and education. AIM-WB DRC provides the public -. services and facilities that will inspire advocacy and action. It also provides the latest knowledge and information on development through video conferencing and distance learning initiatives through the Global Distance Learninlg Center. "The presence of such a facility enriclhes education and makes it responsive to the technological world. I hope that the Former President Fidel Ramosjoins (from left) Educotion Secretory Edilberto dejesus, AIM President Roberto De Ocompo, and WB Country Director Robert Vonce Pulley dunng the opening of the WB-AIM Development Reseorch Center l Get to Know the Bank's New Staff the national urbanization strategy for China, city development strategies in China and the Philippines, and wastewater management policies in China. n - 2;iC1 He moved to the Philippines in July 2002 as Infrastructure Sector Coordinator. Aside _ from managing projects and studies, he coordinates with the country's _ ' infrastrmcture sector with regard to thec- Bank's lending and policy dialogues in MING ZHANG urban development, water and sanitation, JOSE "TITO" NICOLAS Infrastructure Sector Coordinator transportation, and energy Operations Officer on Social Safeguards "This (our work at the Bank) requires Ming finds working in the Bank "very "Ifindgreat satisfaction in being able us not only to be at the forefront of interesting and challenging." "I enjoy the opportunity of meeting people of differen to help vulnerablepeople have a voice what we are doing; to be knowledgeable cultures and backgrounds. I also enjoy the in developments that affect them and and analytl bu ls o nertn or cinaytic, tobut abls to udewsthings many challenges we face everyday," he in promoting a responsive and inclusive our clients, to be able to view things says. To him, the most important development. " from their perspectives. " challenge is how to best serve the Bank's Tito Nicolas has been working for the Bank Ming Zhang has been working at the Bank clients. "This requires us not only to be for more than a year, having joined the Bank for five years. He joined the Bank in 1997 at the forefront of what we are doing, to on October 22, 2001 As Operations Officer through the Young Professionals Program, be knowledgeable and analytical, but also on Social Safeguards, he advises task teams which assigned him to research to understand our clients, to be able to and partner implementing agencies on matters development, where for a year he worked view things from their perspectives." related to land acquisitpon, psvoluntary on policies that addressed motorization Working at the Bank is always a great properties in urban areas, the growing number of learning process. "I try to learn so I can private motor vehicles, and the resulting provide the best services. At the same, I For resewtement plans requarong clearance, he traffic problems. He also worked on a learn a great deal from our clients," he recommendations to the Safeguards Group in study that explored the role of the real says. "The work is, of course, very the Headquarters in Washington D C "During estate market in Thailand's financial crisis meaningful and very rewarding, especially project preparation stage, I review and provide that started in July 1997. when we see the impact of projects inputs on the ISDS (Integrated Safeguards Ming spent the next four years in the happening on the grounid " Data Sheet), Resetdtement Action Plans (RAPs), urban d opment thenxtfour yearsfm the Bank's Ming eroysdoig a lot of things - Resettlement Frameworks, and IP urban development sector of the Bank's Mmg enjoys doing a lot of things -Frameworks," he says. He also coordinates East Asia and Pacific Region. He was reading, traveling, music, sports. "But with partner donor agencies, UN agencies and involved in the Bank's operations in China, perhaps because I am interested in too oversight and special government agencies on Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines, many things, I haven't been good at any issues and policies related to gender, specifically in infrastructure projects such of them," he says "Right now, I spend resettlemenit and indigenous peoples. as urban wastewater management, water most of my time after office hours with Before joining the Bank, Tito worked as a supply, solid waste, culture heritage my two daughters - a three-year-old, and freelance consultant for the ADB on preservation, and urban upgrading. He a ten-month-old. It's really an amazing resettlement and gender From 1998 to 2000, also worked on a number of policy studies- experience to see how kids grow." he worked as a full-itne Sr. Social Development 6 -~ ~~~~~~~~~~ TO IN" Specialist for the Subic Bay Metropolitan _ Authority, specifically for a World Bank- financed project in Subic Before that, he WB Approves 2 RP Projects worked for a Danida-funded project for six c ommunities in ARMM benefit from indirect impact of the years as a 50cmo-economic planner and later as a program planner in connection with the l Improved local governanice, project i terms of employment income, rehabilitation of the Pasig River. transparency and mistitutitonal redueed transport costs, and increased capacities for implementation in the trading opportunities as a result of using He also taught at the UP Diliman Department region. roads built under the project. of Sociology for two years and at the De La WB Country Director Robert Vane Salle University-Taft Behavioral Sciences WB Country Director Robert Vance eB try Drector obertVnc Department for two terms He also worked as Pulley said: "While this project is focused Pulley said the project bulds on existig a researcher at the Luzon Secretariat for Social on ARMM, we expect the project to programs that involve eommunity- Action for two years and had a short-term benefit the whole of Mindanao as a an imporacheselemeuralfdevelopment work at the Philippinie Partnership for the World Bank assessment has shown that an important element of the Bank's Development of Human Resources in Rural the destruction and damage brought Country Assistance Strategy for the Areas about by the armed conflict in 2000 not Pp only depressed socio-economic growth "We have seen the first ARCDP's "The Bank gives one an opportunity for applied and development of directly affected consistent satisfactory performance learning," he points out "Unlike in che communities but all of Mindanao." which has benefited at least 68,000 university where most learninlgs are theoretical, households in more than a hundred here at the Bank you'll find the chance of h e cagraran reform commuedhtues In 14 applying various concepts and approaches and economic costs of conflict at P70 billion grarin reform com unthe seiond evaluate whether these work or nor. You'll also over the past 25 years. phase of ARCDP, rural families will be exposed to actual cases of community The pro)ect is designed as part of a benefit from direct investment in rural development and services, adverse impact broader and longer-term program and infrastructure such as irrigation, which miligationi, and engagemenit with various operational framework of peace and will help increase productivity and stakeholders " development in ARMM. It promotes improve farm income. What he finds very challenging with his work community-driven development Further, better rural access will lead to s bridginig the gap between practice and policies through effective partnerships between lower marketing costs, higher use of in resettlement and indigenous people and government, loal government unts, inputs, and higher output from promoting wider understaniding of good communmty groups, NGOs and the agricultural and off-farm enterprises. practices in these aspects. "I find great private sector. Meanwhile, dryig and marketing satisfaction in being able to help vulnerable facilities should reduce marketing costs people have a voice in developments that affect It also aims to improve transparency, and shoul reduce markti costs them and in promoting a responsive and governance, and accountability of the nd improve product quality, thereby inclusive development" regional and local government units to increasing incomes. their respective constituencies, especially Provision of potable water will also be Outside the office, Tito spends most of his conflict-affected communities. improved, lowering water-borne diseases, time with his family "I'm really more of a . hence more labor availability and higher homebody I have two sons and a baby Communit'-Driven earnings. daughter, who keep me very much occupied ARCDP II will consolidate, sustain, and at home What happens is I do things that broaden the gains made in community tree crops, leading to long-term increase my kids do. We play video games, basketball, development and provision of support in production. billiards, and more recently, beyblades " services. Tito has a BS Degree in Psychology from St "These families would directly benefit In addition, improvements in land Louis University, Baguio City and a Master's from the project in terms of increased titling, rural finance and training in Degree mn Sociology from UP Dilhman produLctivity and household incomes," agricultural and enterprise development said WB Task Manager Frank will encourage the development of new m Byamugisha. enterprises and higher productivity of "y5931 Byamugisha. existing enterprises. He added that more people would also a . 2 7 Philippine Environment Monitor 2002: Metro Manila Residents Want Cleaner Air November 2002 __ ~~~~~~~~~~33 pages solutions: "There are solutions that have But four-stroke motorcycles are cleaner been tried and tested in other Asian capitals, and more fuel efficient In the Philippines, which if done here, can yield significant the share of four-stroke motorcycles is only results over time." 25% compared to 100% in Vietnam, 85% in China, 82% in Thailand, and 60% in Reduce Fine Dust Emissions I,dia Alarmed by worsening air pollution, The report cites that fine dust pollution Require manufacturers to install exhaust majority of residents in Metro Manila want in Metro Manila and other large cities cleaner air, according to the Philippine should be the country's immediate priority catalystsfrgasoline vehicles. Manu&cturers Environment Monitor 2002, which was In Manila, Cebu, Davao, and Baguio, should comply with the revised government recently launched by the World Bank. exposure to fine particle emissions causes standards on exhaust catalysts This would mean an increase of only 2% of the cost an estimated 2,000 premature deaths each of an vince o aout U2 or The report says that a person in the year, 9,000 cases of chronic bronchitis, of a new vehicle - about US$200 or Philippines spends around P2,000 each anid 51 million days of respiratory illnesses P I 0 ,000 - but a drastic reductaon in carbon year for treatment and medication for monoxide, hydrocarbons, and mtrogen illnesses caused by air pollution. In addition, the report suggests the oxides. Further, the report estimates that the costs following measures that will help reduce Reduce sulfir in dieselfuel Sulfur-conitent of air pollutiotn stch as medical treatment. air pollution in the country. of automotive diesel is currently 2,000 low productivity, low wages, and premature Improve the maintenance of commercial ppm and the Clean Air Act requires loss of life for the residents are staggering- vehicles. Emissions inspection and reduction to 500 ppm by 2004-the norm almost US$1.5 billion a year or 2% of the improving maintenance requirements, used by many countries today. country's gross domestic product. particularly for high-use diesel vehicles, Enforce the ban on waste burning in cities. World Bank Country Director Robert along with the government's harmonization The 2001 Philippine Environment of standards for vehicles and fuel, is The on Solid Wast Vance Pulley emphasizes that the worsening required. Substantial sanlctionls should be Monitor on Solid Waste cites the need for air pollution has severely affected the quality enforced for those who fail to comply with local government units to promote waste life of Filipinos. the standards. recycling, composting, and sanitary land fili'ng of solid waste tO StOp open burning. Jitendra Shah, WB Senior Environimental Sbft to four-stroke tricycles. A motorcycletorcycl Engineer and principal author of the report, with a four-stroke engine costs almost the says the situation is alarming but there are same as the one with a two-stroke engine. 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