A N ews l ette r of th e W o r l d Ba n k C o u n t r y O f f i c e M a n i I a 23226 he Philippines and the World Bank * * Irecently signed a US$4.79 million Phi lippines -VWorld Bank Sign loan for the Land Administration and Management (LAM) Project. The loan is the first step towards the implementation and Managm nt Projec of the long-term Land Administration and Management (LAM) Program which seeks to establish an efficient system of land titling and administration. The initial project will assess the viability of the LAM Program and formalize institutional support for its development. Finance Secretary Jose Pardo and Vinay Bhargava, W1 Country Director for the Philippines, signed in behalf of the Philip- pine Government and the World Bank, l respectively. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Assistant Secretary and LAM Project Executive Director Mylene Albano and Ms. Jemima Sy of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), co-funder of the project, were also present during the signing ceremony. In his remarks, Bhargava said, "The Project L-R: DENR Asst. Secretary and LAM Project Director, Mylene Albano; Finance Secretary, will help eligible small landowners in the Jose T. Pardo;WB Philippine Country Director,Vinay Bhargava; and WB Operations rural areas, where poverty is more preva- Officer, Rural Development, Ma.Theresa Quifiones. lent, to improve their security of land tenure, and use their titles to increase their access to credit. In the urban areas, it This initial effort is being undertaken as the land development process, land will enable transparent and secure land through a small "Learning and Innovation registration finance and fee structure, real transactions that will facilitate investment, Loan" intended to test approaches, catalyze property valuation framework, and land growth and affordable housing." changes and establish workable institutional laws and regulations. The Project aims to establish a system arrangements prior to supporting the The second component implements a of land titling and administration based long-term program. The Project is the first Land Administration prototype in six on clear, coherent and consistent laws and Learning and Innovation Loan approved municipalities. A third undertaking involves policies, and supported by the appropriate by the World Bank for the Philippines. support to the Project Management Office institutional structure. At the national level, Alternative approaches will be considered and two Project Implementation Offices for it is expected to improve the services of to accelerate programs designed to improve the prototypes in Quezon City and Leyte. the Register of Deeds and hasten resource the protection of rights to land, eliminate The fourth part provides for the design mobilization at the local and central fake titles, and introduce a framework for of a long-term LAM Program. government levels. The anticipated an equitable system of land valuation. An inter-agency committee chaired improvements will likewise result in better The LAM Program has four components. by the Department of Environment and land administration and management, The first component entails studies and Natural Resources will implement an area with broad-based impact. recommendations on key policy areas such the Project. This *ssue WB Report for FY2000, p2 WB on Environment. p4 In Thl s Issue R.M.Magsaysay Awardee, p3 * Latest Statements from WB, p5 * WDR 2000-01 Attacks Poverty, p3 City Development Strategy, p6-7 Project, the Second Local Government Unit WB's REPORT FOR FY 2000 UrbanWaterSupplyProject,andtheSecond Social Expenditure Management Project. The AND PLAN FO R 2001 lending package reflects the Government's intent to exercise restraint on new borrow- ings and focus more on increasing its utilization of committed funds. The Bank ow utilization of Official Development are also needed to ensure success of the fully supports this strategy, which will result LAssistance (ODA) has been recognized reform package. in further reduction of unutilized funds. as a major development obstacle by the Philippine Government, following the joint Update on New Loans Non-Lending Assistance review in late 1999 of ODA-assisted projects The Bank's assistance to the Philippines is In FY 2000, the Bank also mobilized grants with the World Bank, the Asian Development governed by a Country Assistance Strategy, amounting to US$20 million. Ongoing grants Bank and the Japan Bank for International which supports a partnership among total US$18 million, which support initiatives Cooperation. Government, the private sector and civil by Government and civil society to enhance As of June 30, 2000, the World Bank is society, to reduce poverty and make capacity building, knowledge sharing and financing 25 ongoing projects for which people's lives better. The current CAS partnership development. For example, a US$1.8 billion have already been committed. framework provides for a lending program US $900,000 grant provides for projects About US$1.2 billion of these commitments in the range of US$1 billion to US$1.5 billion involving out-of-school youth under have remained untapped. for fiscal years 2000 to 2002. For FY 2000, partnerships among Government, business In his report on the operational and NGOs. results and plans of the World Bank's Other non-lending services include Assistance to the country for FY 2000- _ policy advice, technical assistance, 2001, Vinay Bhargava, WB Country _ and related analytical and advisory Director for the Philippines, said, "We Social Expenditure Management Project 100 activnties. These services have become are happy to note that the disburse- National Roads and Improvement Project 150 promotesla imprtanding ofBank ment for World Bank-assisted projects Mindanao Rural Development Project 27.5 promotes a wider understanding of has improved from US$152 million in Total Loan Amount 277. p development issues In support of Fiscal Year 1999 to more than US$ 202 public debate and a national consen- million at the close of FT 2000. For FT sus. For this purpose, the Bank 2001, we are projecting to double our prepares and publishes reports and disbursements to US$400 million." Land Administration and studies. Relevant materials are now The disbursement of US$400 million Management Project 4.79 available at the Bank's local website at in project financing will depend upon Second Local Government Units www.worldbank.org.ph. Reports and the release of the second tranche of the Urban Water and Sanitation Project 100 studies are not only made available Banking System Reform Loan (BSRL) Second Social Expenditures Loan Project lOO but participation in discussions amounting to US$ 100 million. BSRL Metro Manila Urban Transport through the electronic forum at the supports the banking sector reform Integration Project 60 web site is also possible. program that will enable the domestic Total Loan Amount 264.79 banking system to better withstand Projects for Mindanao current and future difficulties and The Government has requested shocks. A key component of the comprehen- donors to accelerate on-going foreign- sive reform program is the privatization of three loans have been approved totaling assisted projects in Mindanao. There are the Philippine National Bank, an increase in US$277.5 million. These loans are for the presently about US$700 million in World its capital, and a reduction in its non- Mindanao Rural Development Project, Bank loans for 16 ongoing projects under performing loans. National Roads Improvement Project and which provinces in Mindanao are eligible to Other reforms under the program include Social Expenditure Management Project. receive funding. (Most of these projects also improvements in Central Bank supervision, The loans have been signed and became cover provinces in regions outside of streamlining disclosure requirements by effective early this year. Mindanao.) banks, enhancing capital adequacy, and For FY 2001, the Bank has signed one The World Bank may consider Govern- providing a resolution framework for loan, and is processing three additional ment proposals for a reallocation of funds troubled banks. loans amounting to US$260 million directed for Mindanao from ongoing projects, to fast Legislative changes in laws governing at assisting the Government in its drive to track meeting urgent rehabilitation needs government banking, the Bangko Sentral alleviate poverty. The loans are for the Land in conflict- affected areas in Mindanao ng Pilipinas, the securities market and the Administration Management Project, the provided that the trouble spots are made safe Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation Metro Manila Urban Transport Integration for development workers to operate. 2 The latest World Development Report, the World Bank's most comprehensive study of global poverty, was launched in the 20I 20 A3TACI(S POX E D 7 Philippines coinciding with a discussion on 2UW/2001 ATTACKS POvERT the preliminary Philippine Poverty Assess- ment Report and the Bank's activities for In his opening remarks, Agrarian Reform governance and combating corruption. poverty reduction in the country. Secretary Horacio Morales Jr. said, "(The An open forum followed the presenta- Highlights of the World Development World Development Report) is an important tions. The participants proceeded to Report and Poverty Assessment Report were testament to the unending search for organize themselves into small breakout presented by John Page, Director, Poverty emancipation from poverty, hunger and groups to discuss the details of the WDR Reduction Strategies and Development disempowerment. It is a daring attempt to framework for attacking poverty. Policy at the World Bank; Monica Das bring together experts, activists, practition- Government officials; representatives Gupta, Senior Social Scientist, WB Develop- ers and donors from within governments, from the private sector, NGOs and civil ment Research Group; and Tamar Manuely- civil society and the private sector to develop society; the media; and the staff and officers an Atinc, Lead Specialist in the WB Poverty a common and consensual framework in of World Bank Office Manila (WBOM) Reduction and Economic Management Unit eradicating poverty in this millennium." attended the launch. of the East Asia and Pacific Region. Lloyd (More on the Report on page 8.) Mckay, Lead Economist at WBOM, acted as *The preliminary Philippine moderator of the forum. Vinay Bhargava, Poverty Assessment Report WB Country Director for the Philippines, indicated that the incidence of discussed the World Bank's anti-poverty poverty in the country remains - programs and projects in the Philippines. high. A suggested framework for = nx i i i'. BNK The launch provided an opportunitv to attacking poverty presented by - put a local spin to the global outlook of the Ms. Tamar Atinc involves a A newest World Development Report. The creating opportunities for the panel of reactors included SGV founder poor through pro-growth Washington Sycip, socio-political feminist policies, protecting the poor activist Ana Maria Nemenzo, and Socio- from crises and natural Economic Planning Secretary Felipe disasters, and empowering L-R:Tamar Manuelyan Atinc,Vinay Bhargava,john Page, Medalla. of the poor by improving and Monica Das Gupta. R. M. MagsaysayAwardee Joins Urban Development Forum The World Bank's Country Assistance A brief background on the state of urban to influence policy, their small achievements TStrategy for 1999 to 2002 presents viable renewal projects in the country set the tone were like shots in the dark. strategies that promote sustainable urban for the consultation. The presentation by the Mir. Arputham suggested that urban development and combat urban poverty. NGOs stressed that the development of urban poor groups should first show what they To discuss ways in which the govern- poor communities does not only help to can do together. Their solidarity and ment, various concerned organizations, improve the living conditions of poor settlers accomplishments will serve notice to and international donor agencies can work but also serves to enhance the city's infra- government, or even international donor together in advancing urban development structure and physical appearance to pave the agencies, which may then be attracted as programs in the Philippines, the Bank way for increased investments. As proven institutional cooperators in community- hosted a multi-sectoral consultation by success stories in other countries, urban wide urban renewal. focusing on partnerships for urban poor community renewal efforts in the form of The Ramon Magsaysay honoree initiatives. Representatives of urban poor slum upgrading can be viewed as a social commended those who attended the groups, housing authorities from selected investment that pays itself off over the consultation for sparing the time to thresh Metro Manila cities and urban development long term. out issues on a pressing social problem. He experts from the World Bank and Asian Jokim Arputham shared his life-long said, "It is important to have discussions Development Bank attended the consulta- experience in helping the urban poor in and this (the consultation) has been a lively tion. Jokim Arputham, this year's Ramon India's most densely populated cities to find dialogue. You should have more open Magsaysay Awardee for International a place of their own. He argued that India's discussions among the urban poor, Understanding, joined the discussion as slum dwellers have tried various approaches, government and the donors. There's a guest speaker. but until they had gathered sufficient leverage still lot of work ahead of you." 3 relating to the depletion of the ozone layer. _ B B 0 | ; ' ¢ - GEF has since expanded its scope to include initiatives against major diseases like HIV, international efforts to deal with the digital Pr om oting vdivide and concerted action to meet immedi- ate demands such as giving rural communi- ties access to electricity from renewable Sustainable : ; energy sources. The World Bank is a founding member Environmental of the GEF. As a global, knowledge-based 0 ainstitution, the Bank is involved in all of Protection the Environment Fund's initiatives. In the Philippines, the Bank has facilitated GEF assistance to a number of projects that the Philippines has been tagged as one of is that environmental concerns in the contribute to national development as they Tthe environmental hotspots in the Philippines, as in other developing coun- impact on global environmental concerns. world. The World Bank helps Government tries, cannot and should not be neglected," The Leyte-Luzon Geothermal Power Project pursue programs and projects that link Patchamuthu Illangovan, Sr. Environment helps expand power generation from a poverty alleviation to sustainable develop- and Team Leader for the Monitor, stated. renewable resource. The Conservation of ment. These efforts try to ensure that "We hope that policvmakers will find the Priority Protected Areas Project develops economic development does not come at the Monitor a useful tool, a one-stop shop of alternative livelihoods for local communities expense of the environment and its underly- information that will help them decide in i selected national parks and wildlife ing ecological systems. formulating policies and plans. For the reservatlons. A component of the Mindanao Some of these initiatives are described general public, we hope to see a higher level Rural Development Program assists coastal in the following sections. of awareness and understanding of commuities in managmig their marine resources. In Marikina City, the GEF will be environmental issues and challenges." promoting non-motorized transport to Environment Monitor 2000 The Environment Monitor is the proad congestonized tendant To provide benchmarks of key environmen- outcome of several workshops involving pollution. These four projects have been tal and natural resource indicators and government, the academe, NGOs and civil provided with over $50 million in GEF trends in the country, the Bank published society. Various stakeholders were also funding since 199 1 m the Philippines Environment Monitor 2000, consulted before it was finalized. Most of a compact overview of the state of Philip- the information used in the Monitor was Other Ongoing Activities pine environment. It was formally presented gathered from reports of government Growing awareness of promoting sustainable in August 2000 before a multi-sectoral group agencies, universities, and NGOs and donor environmental efforts has expanded the comprising representatives from govern- organizations, and other unpublished types of undertakings handled by the WB ment agencies, non-government organiza- sources. (More on The Environment Office in Manila. With the assistance of Ms. tions, academe and the media. vwonitoronp. £.) Maya Villaluz, Operations Officer for the In his opening remarks at the launch EnVillaluz, therank render for to ceremonies of Environment Monitor 2000, GEF Country Program Environment, the Bank renders support to Richard Anson, WB acting Country Director nt pror the re-engineering of the Ecology Center of for the Philippines, said, "The goal of the The Bank, in partnership with the UN the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority under World Bank's Country Assistance Strategy Development Program, UN Environment the Subic Bay Freeport Project II. Under the is to help reduce poverty and improve the Program and the Secretariat of the Global Philippine Human Resource Development quality of lives of more Filipinos. We believe Development Fund (GEF), sponsored a GEF Fund, it also extends technical assistance to we cannot reach this goal if we do not awareness training and program develop- the Laguna de Bay Environment Manage- address environmental issues now. The ment workshop from August 22 to 24, 2000. ment Project, the Social and Environmental environment simply cannot wait." The training workshop aimed to strengthen Assessment Capacity Building Project, and According to the Monitor, the presence country coordination and to enhance the Strengthening of Enforcement and of policies and laws has not prevented country capacities to identify, propose, Capacity Building Project for the Department environmental degradation. Urban air and prepare and implement GEF-financed of Environment and Natural Resources. Its water pollution, natural resource degrada- projects and activities. analytical and advisory assistance is engaged tion and declining quality of coastal and The GEF, and its sister organization, the in the pilot implementation of the Environ- marine resources comprise the three broad Montreal Program, are among the first mental Safeguard and Risk Management challenges that need to be addressed on the global partnerships to establish financial Study, which seeks to enhance safety local front. mechanisms to contend with global guarantees for the different WB investment "The underlying theme of the Monitor environmental issues, particularly those projects in the country. 4 Alegations of Corruption WBNews Against Public Officials The World Bank Office in Manila has LATEST STATEMENTS received a number of calls from the media F O BAN KV and others, asking for comment on the F THE vW ORLD BANK"S recent reports of allegations of corruption COUNTRY DIRECTOR against high public officials in the Philip- pines. The World Bank has consistently advised its member countries of the serious nance of a sound macroeconomic frame- with concern that the government's budget economic and social consequences of work agreed to by the Government and deficit is now well above target for this year, corruption, especially within government. the World Bank; (ii) implementation of primarily due to shortfalls in tax revenue. In the Philippines, we recently published a a reform program in the banking sector It is now critical that actions be taken to report, prepared at the government's which would require strengthening contain the fiscal deficit during the rest of request, on combating corruption. We are Central Bank and Philippine Deposit 2000 and to include actions in the 2001 also assisting, at their request, the various Insurance Corporation (PDIC) charters budget that will ensure that the budget deficit government agencies and civil society and banking regulation; and (iii) privatiza- gets progressively smaller in line with the organizations in combating corruption in tion and rehabilitation of the Philippine medium-term trajectorv for the budget the Philippines. National Bank. deficit which now deviates from that In this context, the World Bank views The mission found that good progress envisaged in the medium-plan. Actions are these allegations of corruption as a serious continues to be made in implementing the needed to strengthen government revenue matter, and we are concerned about their banking sector reforms. The legal frame- and to restrain expenditures. The decline in impact on the economy. We note that the work governing the banking sector has been government revenue as a share of Gross Philippines is a democracy; it has a func- strengthened with the enactment of the Domestic Product (GDP) urgently needs to be tioning legal system, a free press, an active General Banking Act. Prudential regulation reversed, and improved tax administration civil society, and a constitutional procedure is being strengthened. Capital structure of can contribute to this. Second, overall for responding to such allegations. We have banks is continuing to improve, including expenditures need to be kept to a fiscally ever,y hope and expectation that the allega- the Philippine National Bank with the sustainable level, while taking care to tions will be quickly resolved by the man- infusion of over 10 billion in pesos in maintain strategic social programs that are dated Philippine institutions through a additional capital. critical to the poor, (e.g. education, health, due process within the legal system. The main remaining challenges to the and social services) and to accelerate (October 18, 2000) banking reform agenda are to: (i) pass the implementation of the Official Development legislation amending the respective charters Assistance (ODA)-financed projects that are of the Central Bank (BSP) and Philippine vital to poverty reduction in outlying areas. Status of Banking System Deposit and Insurance Corporation (PDIC) We are requesting the authorities to take charters; (ii) strengthen the protection of action to address the fiscal problem to Reform Loan Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and PDIC achieve a satisfactory macroeconomic staff from lawsuits brought against them in framework in 2001 and thereby help restore A World Bank mission visited the Philip- connection with actions taken in their investor confidence. pines from October 13-19 and has reviewed official capacities; and (iii) continue the The Mission has returned to the World the progress in the implementation of the rehabilitation of PNB to restore its financial Bank Headquarters and will discuss its actions required prior to the release of the health. The authorities are aware of these findings with the Regional Vice President. second tranche of $100 million out of challenges and expect the remedial actions We have agreed with the authorities that US$300 million Banking Sector Reform to be completed soon. discussions on the program in banking sector Loan (BSRL). It will be recalled that the It will be noted that one of the require- and macroeconomic reforms will continue BSRL is meant to strengthen the Philippine ments for the release of the second tranche through the World Bank Office in Manila. banking system to enable it to better of BSRL is "maintenance of a sound Since, the closing date for the BSRL has been withstand current and future difficulties and macroeconomic framework." Such a extended from June 30, 2000 to June 30, 2001 shocks through a comprehensive reform framework involves, among other things, authorities have until then to complete the program. The Philippine Government and targets pertaining to fiscal, monetary and implementation of the actions required for the World Bank have agreed in 1998, when external policies. In consultation with the the second and third tranche release. The the loan was signed, that this amount would International Monetary Fund (IMF), we tranches can be released any time between be disbursed in three tranches, the timing review compliance with this requirement now and June 30, 200 1, depending upon of which would depend on specific actions. based on the government's commitment completion of the required actions for the A summary of actions include: (i) mainte- to the World Bank. In this regard, we note respective tranches. (October20, 2000) 5 * wTop Priorities In essence, a CDS spells out initiatives which emerging cities should consider to avoid the CITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY: pitfalls of unplanned sprawl exemplified by CITY DEVELOPMENT SlTR ltEY: today's megacities. In its City Development Plan, Olongapo CJreathng Vibrant Urban Centers City presents its potentials in maximizing use of its limited areas for commerce and of the Future industry, the full implementation of free trade policies and tapping non-traditional revenue generating resources. Its immediate The challenges to make cities more livable ance, seven cities have been able not only development thrusts are focused on three Tand sustainable are daunting. It is to formulate multi-sectoral, medium-term projected that 24 billion more people will be strategies by themselves but have also residing in cities in the next 30 years. Each established viable partnerships with all city will find its resources severely strained concerned sectors. By using their respective by the demands of a rising population. CDS, the participating cities have already In the past, the World Bank has seen a number of immediate results. responded to the development needs of Most of the pilot cities have focused on cities through individual projects or sector aligning their long-term development loans. Over time, however, this strategy strategies with their comparati e advan-t proved inadequate for cities facing multi- tages. Two of ther, San Fernando andv_ faceted problems. Olongapo, have shown their entrepreneurial The Bank also realized that it could not capacities by tapping new financing act alone in assisting clients in the develop- opportunities to fund their respective ment of livable cities. The entire develop- development efforts. p ment community and the city government San Fernando City was able to secure M K need to develop common policies and financingfromtheLandBankofthe Mayor Kate Gordon institutional approaches that offer sustaina- Philippines for its flood control projects. areas: economic, social, and the environ- ble solutions. Hence, the evolution of the This assistance will be provided under ment. Under its economic action plan are City Development Strategy (CDS). the ongoing Water District Development the computerization of public services, Holistic Approach Project of the World Bank. The city will development of a local investment code, A City Development Strategy is designed to apply for additional support from the and low cost housing projects The city s assistthecitygovernmentandconcerned Municipal Development Fund for its lon m p i t stakeholders in articulating a shared vision sanitary landfill, health and education Metropolitan Subic Free Port, establishment fortakholertys fuatiure. tit g enailshaidentifyiong projcs Thsassac ilaseof a corporate city and development of a forthecity's future. Ittinth ils ifdentifying Oprovided throughthe Local Government banking and finance center as well as a strategies to attain the vision, facilitating prvddtouheLcaGvrnnt om nitonub resource mobilization and allocation, Finance and Development Project which is San Fernando City distinguishes itself by formulating priority actions for each being implemented by the Department of being the regional center of government and strategy, and implementing specific priority Finance with assistance from the World commercial activities in Northern Luzon. programs and courses of action. Bank. On top of the WB assstance, Its CDS lays down concrete programs and This new approach calls for broad was able to mobilize other technical aid projects on the environment, poverty coalitions of local stakeholders and identified in their CDS from the World allection anvint, poverty development partners, both local and Health Organization, the US Agency for alleviation and infrastructure development. international, to develop a strategy for a International Development and the Ford coastal resource management, livelihood particular city/urban area in recognition of Foundation. training programs, radial and diversion its distinct socioeconomic structure, Using their CDS as the primary docu- roads, and comprehensive drainage constraints and prospects and a shared ment for project negotiation, Olongapo City system. The city's CDS even provides for "vision" of goals, priorities and require- got a credit line from the Development Bank capacity building in environmental ments. In the process, the cities themselves of the Philippines for its power distribution management, information technology define their own City Development Strategy. and commercial area development projects. and vocational education. The city will access the Municipal Develop- The Philippine Expenence ment Fund for other priority projects, which The Driving Forces The Philippines is the site of one of the include such non-revenue generating earliest implementation of the City Develop- undertakings as flood control and land Not coincidentally, the two participating ment Strategy. Through the Bank's assist- use improvement. pilot cities are currently run by women- 6 Mayor Kate Gordon of Olongapo City and Mayor Mary Jane Ortega of San Fernando W BNews City. Both city executives have extensive exposure and experience in the preparation and implementation of development strategies. Mayor Gordon was the former our vision, not my vision." representative of Zambales. Mayor Ortega, Around this time, the World Bank a first termer in office, is a member of the invited some 24 cities nationwide to com- UN Advisory Committee on Local Authori- pete for a technical assistance grant and the ties and is the first Filipina to be awarded chance to go to Tokyo. The finalists were the prestigious Scroll of Honor given by the trimmed down to 7, which included San United Nations Center for Human Settle- Fernando and Olongapo City. ments. Also, she is a recipient of the World A Vision Bank certificate of excellence for her city's RealizingAVision development strategy. Right now, both lady mayors are imple- The two lady mayors took the time to menting the priority projects underlying share with In Touch how their particular their CDS. They are also sharing the CDS CDS is guiding the fulfillment of a shared with everyone, including the next genera- vision for their cities. tion of leaders and stakeholders. The central vision for Olongapo is the Mayor Mary Jane Ortega Mayor Ortega discloses, "We have conversion of the former US bases into the presented our CDS in meetings with the first free port facility in the country. Mayor "We felt relieved. Finally, we would be presidents of academic institutions and the Kate Gordon explains, "That vision was able to say and do what we wanted." NGOs. We are now sharing it with all the easier said than done. We had to explain to San Fernando City Mayor Jane Ortega teachers so they may know what the CDS our people what a free port is all about. It went through a less thorny route. After is all about." was a difficult time." she won the mayoralty race, the first thing "Our next move is to share the CDS down An opportunity to realize the vision of a' Mayor Ortega did was to sit down and wvrite to the barangay level. We also plan to do a free port presented itself when the Subic Bay her vision for the city. A former journalist, campaign to educate the children about it." Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) was created she expressed herself well by putting As exemplified by the acts of Mayors by law. It was further strengthened in 1998 whatever she had in mind on paper. Gordon and Ortega, the CDS is taking when the World Bank came around offering When she attended a public management the challenge of city development to the to help turn Olongapo into a well-planned seminar in Germany, she learned that a local level. It is providing a mechanism city of the future. Kate Gordon remembers, vision for a city should not come from a of integrating stakeholders' views and "The World Bank initiated this new single person alone. After she arrived home, attracting sustainable financing for cities. program [the CDS] at the right time for us. Mayor Ortega immediately called all the In fact, by encouraging public participation They said that its focus would be for local stakeholders in San Fernando City. She and joint ownership, the CDS is ensuring governments, particularly the cities, to help recalls, "I told everybody we would be that everyone has a stake in their themselves. starting all over again. Let's come up with city's future. We're on the Net! http//wwwwor1dbank.org.ph Get fresh news and updates on the Bank's programs and - projects. The site also provides useful links to other develop- ment-oriented websites, especially to the World Bank Homepage, which is your portal to the Bank's development <,,>- ,~ . initiatives worldwide. You need information? Our web site has links to abstracts, full Bank reports, country data as well as research working papers. Give us your feedback. Use the button, "We want to hear from you" or the Public Discussion ______________ Area. s"- /or - r F # -> s4haa>Et w-s Aside from the web site, our Public Information Office - '-- ^--- remains open, Mondays to Fridays, 9-12 noon and 1-3 pm. 7 Bank recently published the Philippine Environment Monitor 2000, which provides initial benchmarks of key indicators of down the political and legal basis for production, consumption, pollution and inclusive development; b) creating public ambient quality. institutions that foster growth and equity; The Monitor points out the most - World Development and c) promoting inclusive decentralization pressing environmental challenges in the Report 2000/2001 and community development. Achieving Philippines including deforestation and Attacking Poverty greater security for the poor requires focus land degradation in the countryside, and air 332 pp. in dealing with economy-wide and region- pollution caused by vehicles and inadequate wide risks and in helping the poor cope with sanitation in urban areas. It also survevs the The World Bank's mission is to fight poverty individual adverse shocks. Among the policy and legal framework for environmen- with passion and professionalism. It also measures recommended by the Report are: tal protection in the country and proposes a recognizes that poverty alleviation requires a) formulating a modular approach to few measures to fine-tune their impact on a comprehensive, multi-faceted, properly helping people manage risks; b) developing an aggravating situation. integrated mandate. national programs to prevent, prepare for Among the major causes for alarm cited The new World Bank Development and respond to macro shocks; and c) by the Monitor are: Report (WDR) builds on past thinking, and designing national systems of social risk * Air pollution in Metro Manila exceeds substantially broadens and deepens the management that promote growth. national air quality standards abroad; understanding of poverty and its causes. It The new World Development Report Nearly half of the country's rivers fall proposes a new strategy for attacking offers that there really is no simple, below normal quality norms; poverty in three ways: promoting opportu- universal blueprint for implementing a * Almost half of the country's land area nity, facilitating empowerment and sure-fire strategy to alleviate poverty. suffers from moderate to severe soil erosion. enhancing security. Developing countries like the Philippines Forest cover has been substantially Promotion of opportunity means that must prepare their own mix of policies, reduced by increasing urbanization, illegal poor people have access to jobs, credit, reflecting national priorities and local logging and forest fires. roads, and markets for their produce as well realities. It hopes that the developing world The Monitor will be updated regularly to as water, schools, sanitation and affordable and the international community work keep policymakers, researchers and civil health services. Some core policies that together to combine various insights with society in general up to date on the state of respond to the growing demand for more real resources so that concrete progress may health of the Philippine environment. opportunities include: a) encouraging finally be made in the fight to end poverty. effective private investments; b) expanding To order World Bank Group into international markets; and c) building t publications, contact: up the assets of poor people. Of special International Booksource interest is the policy consideration to Center Inc. expand infrastructure and knowledge into I 127-A Antipolo Street poor rural and urban areas, where, in the Philippines BarangayVenezuela, Makati City case of the Philippines, a majority of the Environment Fax (632) 896-1741 population lives. Monitor2000 Or visit our 24-hour online website at Facilitating empowerment entails [ www.worldbank.org/publications. collective initiatives that reduce bureaucrat- To borrow, contact: ic and social constraints that prevent poor The Philippines is among the six threatened The World Bank Country Office Manila people from helping themselves. To address biological hotspots in the East Asia and 23/F,The Taipan Place this anti-poverty strategy, the new WDR Asia-Pacific Region. To keep track of major Emerald Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City suggests these courses of actions: a) laying environmental trends in the country, the The World Bank Country Office Manila 23/F, The Taipan Place Place Emerald Ave., Ortigas Center Stamp Pasig City Here InTouch is a quarterly newsletter of the World Bank Country Office Manila. All correspondence may be addressed to: The World Bank Country Office Manila 23/F, The Taipan Place Emerald Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City Tel. 637-5855 to 64 EDITORIAL STAFF: Vinay K. Bhargava, editorial adviser Leonora A. Gonzales, editor Charito C. Sanalila, production assistant