InTouch 5 (3)

A News l ette r o f the Wo r ld Bank f oc C o u n t r y O f f i c e M a n i I a June 2000 Volume 5 Number 3 23225 DONORS PLEDGE US$2.6B IN NEW FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - in the delivery of basic social services, rural development, public sector reforms, specifically in governance, and anti- corruption efforts in thejudiciary. - Finance Secretary lose T. Pardo chaired the meeting and World Bank Philippines Country Director Vinay Bhargava co-chaired it. Special Concern: Mindanao The new funds have been earmarked mostly for the fight against poverty, US$361 million of which have been allocated for Mindanao in recognition of the complex situation in the island. The amount is in addition to current available funding of U$700 million ~~ 7' ~~for Mindanao. Total ODA for Mindanao now amounts to more than US$1 Billion. Government and donor community representatives to the CG Meeting: (L-R) NEDA In a statement, WB Country Director Director General Felipe Medalla, Bangko Sentral Governor Cesar Buenaventura, Vinay Bhargava stressed, "The donors Finance Secretary Jose Pardo, World Bank Country Director Vinay Bhargava, Agricul- expressed deep concern for the physical, ture Secretary Eduardo Angara, and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno. socio-psychological sufferings of the displaced people in conflict areas in Mindanao and the adverse economic A t the 23rd Consultative Group (CG) CG meetings provide a regular forum for impact of the conflict on the overall Meeting held in Tagaytay City from policy dialogue between the Philippines and economy. They noted that the socio- AJune 19-21, the international donor the donor community, and a mechanism economic needs of Muslim Mindanao must community committed US$2.6 billion in for the mobilization of ODA. This is the be addressed for a permanent and lasting fresh funds for development programs and first time a CG meeting was held in the solution to the conflict in the island." projects in the Philippines. The new package Philippines. Under the theme, Sustaining He added, "Providing immediate action of financial assistance will be extended on Poverty Reduction Through Growth and for relief to displaced persons will be top of undisbursed aid funds amounting to Other Supporting Policies, the donor considered once delivery mechanisms are US$7.7 billion. Pledged and ongoing community discussed with Government in place. Finally, new projects for Mindanao overseas development assistance (ODA) officials recent socio-economic develop- will be considered within the framework now stands at US$10.3 billion. ments and the country's programs and plans it p.2 In This Issue . Opportunities for the Underpriviledged Youth. p2 P2.2M Grants for 10 NGOs, p4 InThisIse .Global Development Gateway. p3 Rural Development Team, p6-7  '" p.1 DONORS The CG participants also welcomed steps Providing being taken by the government to improve PLEDGE US2.6OD. .. investor confidence. During the discus- Opportunities sions, the government has shown its f th O t o of a medium-term development plan, commitment to reduce fiscal deficit this for the Out-of with the participation of affected Muslim year and indicated to the donor community School Youth communities." that the additional fiscal burden caused Finance Secretary Pardo, chairman of the by the Mindanao situation could be met verv Filipino parent dreams of a good CG meeting, reiterated that the Philippine without imperiling expenditures for the Eeducation for her child. Yet the strain of government is equally concerned that the social and rural sectors. Also cited were economic difficulties is forcing a lot of worsening hostilities could adversely impact efforts to push forward important structural youths to leave school behind and seek the progress of development programs and reform measures, facilitated largely by the whatever work is available on the farm, in projects in the island. He said that to fast Economic Coordinating Council, which sweatshops and on the streets to augment track the delivery of necessary services, the was created bv President Estrada early family income. This vicious cycle will spawn Estrada administration would form a new this year. a new generation of unskilled hands with Cabinet cluster that would integrate and The donors were also encouraged that a little prospects of employment to take them oversee development efforts for Mindanao. Presidential Commission on Effective out of the poverty trap. Governance has been established to develop All is not lost, however. A consortium Performance and Challenges public sector reform plans. Moreover, they involving the Department of Social Welfare The donor community commended the welcomed the initiative to commission the and Development (representing govern- government for the encouraging macroeco- Development Academy of the Philippines ment), Ayala Corporation (private sector), nomic developments since the CG meeting to formulate an action program to combat the Children and Youth Foundation of the last year. The donors acknowledged that the corruption. Philippines (NGO), and the World Bank government's economic management has The Consultative Group is composed of (international donor) recently signed a been instrumental in reducing inflation, representatives from the World Bank,the Memorandum of Agreement to ensure that , , ~~~~~~~~~~~~children remain in school and enhance the accelerating the pace of economic growth, Asian Development Bank, the Japan Bank opportnritie tshoo arenarea oth and improving the country's balance of for International Cooperation and bilateral of school. These institutions have agreed to payments and foreign reserve position. donor organizations. contribute, commit and pool resources for a project called the Out-of-School Children and Youth (OSCY) Consortium. A Philip- pine Human Resources Development grant Priority,rAction Areas Emphasized by was tapped to prepare the project proposal MorityAWon Axm Eniphmizgd by while an ASEM grant is funding a number Donors at the CG Meeting of sub-projects. have been selected by Seven proponentshaebnslctdy * Implementing key measures to other asset reforms; the Consortium to scale up their ongoing enhance resource mobilization, * Supporting family planning and tested programs for the out-of- school in particular improved tax programs; youth. administration, completion of the . Finalizing and implementing the The Pearl S. Buck International, Inc. is comprehensive tax reform process National Anti-Poverty Action undertaking a sub-project in Ormoc City to and better targeting of public Agena; enable selected OSCY in the Visayas to go expenditures towards the poor; Agenda; back to school for their basic education * Boosting investor confidence by * Instituting reforms in the judiciary under a scholarship grant. The sub-project addressing, specifically, govern- and specific anti-corruption seeks to directly benefit 300 youths as well ance at the stock market, moving measures as 300 elementary students, 150 high school expeditiously with outstanding * Setting up a CG Working Group students and 50 vocational or college legislation for the power sector, that will facilitate regular donor- students. Meanwhile, the Don Bosco the Central Bank Act, and the GOP dialogue on the government's Technical Institute in San Jose City, Nueva Securities Act; and proceeding comprehensive governance Ecija has attracted 40 male dropouts for with privatization initiatives; improvement program; and intensive training in agro-mechanics and * Continuing focus on rural Improving utilization of official entrepreneurship. Graduates are expected to development and the implementa- development assistance, particu- be eventually employed by fabricators of tion.o e Cv ly te apcan of te "farm equipment and small machinery. tion of the Comprehensive larly the application Of the "Project In Makati City, the Don Bosco Technical Agrarian Reform Program and Readiness Filter" on new projects. Institute is engaged in the Integrated Skills 2  Training and Placement Project for Male the training course which will commence 848-1865, or Mr. Luis P. Morales of the Out-of- High School Dropouts. A total of 60 in August. School Children & Youth Development Project dropouts are expeced to go back to school to The Center for Industrial Technology at 892-4787. acquire employable technical skills and at and Enterprise in Cebu and the Laguna p1w*,, the same time, earn the equivalent compe- College of Arts and Trades in Sta. Cruz, tency of a formal high school education. The Laguna have started their respective Rogationist Academy College of Technology CISCO Networking Academy (CNA) in Silang, Cavite will launch a similar program for out-of-school youths. training sub-project for female dropouts. CISCO is a leading supplier of Internet Some 60 school dropouts will undergo technologies and CNA is its educational I technical education in electronics while program in association with training -* acquiring competencies and skills equiva- institutions worldwide. Pilipinas Shell lent to secondary level proficiency. Foundation's SKIL program, Except for the sub-project with the a technical training course for OSCYs in OSCYD Project Launch. From L-R: Elaine Wolfensohn, wife Rogationist Academy, beneficiaries of the Central Luzon, also received funding of World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn; Olivia other three sub-projects have started support from the Consortium. Maglipay of the Laguna State Polytechnic College; Laguna attending their respective classes. The For grant applications,please contact Provincial Governor Jose Lina; World Bank Country Director Vinay Bhargava; Manuel Rivera of CISCO Systems; Rogationist sub-project is currently Ms. Felicitas C. Rixhon of Children & Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, president and CEO of Ayala recruiting and screening applicants for Youth Foundation of the Philippines at Corporation; and Naoyuki Nobe of Mitsubishi Corporation. D 4114r4fl n lThrough the Gateway, Bank program * Country Gateways that will allow Buil ingr a uloval stakeholders will be provided with links to countries to establish a network of 0 ideas and good practice, information about development communities on the Developm ent development activities and trends, funding Internet. sources, and commercial opportunities. A multi-agency and multi-disciplinary Gateways services may include online design team will develop the Gateway and Gateway training modules, product reviews, news, assist countries in creating their own jobs and directories. gateways in support of the Comprehensive I n the last decade, the development arena As currently envisioned, the Gateway will Development Framework. has witnessed the proliferation of new have the following integrated services: The World Bank is playing an initial players and partnerships, with growing * An Aid Effectiveness Exchange which catalytic role: it recognizes the importance involvement by the private sector, civil will have comprehensive project an d of more effective knowledge sharing and society and local governments. program data, a platform featuring partnership for success in its own opera- Great strides have actually been made to effective development methods and tions as well as throughout the development harness knowledge and Internet technology approaches, a hub to foster communities community. As a primary sponsor of this for sustainable development and poverty of practice, and a module for matching global effort, the World Bank Group will reduction. But a lot remains to be done. donor with development project or provide both seed money and assistance- To complement efforts by various groups program proposals; in-kind to establish the Gateway. Active in the development community worldwide, * A Development Clearinghouse that will participation from the development a collaborative initiative is currently help bring together dispersed develop- community is expected in terms of content, underway to create the Global Development ment knowledge to facilitate customized interaction and financial support. Gateway. The Gateway has been conceived access to development information; Mr. Gerhard Pohl, Global Head for as a comprehensive common platform that * A Civil Society Forum that will build on Regional Operations of the Bank's Gateway will enable development actors to share the many existing networks and portals Team, was in Manila for a briefing and to information and knowledge, communicate to create new interactive knowledge exchange views with stakeholders on the easily, and build communities of practice communities and networks; latest Bank initiative. About 40 representa- around significant development challenges. * A Private Sector Marketplace offering tives from the government, private sector, It is intended to serve the needs of a broad opportunities for the private sector learning institutes, and the donor commu- array of stakeholders, including developing through transaction-oriented informa- nity expressed interest in the Gateway. countries, civil society, the private-for-profit tion services as well as country and For more information, visit our website sector and other key partners. product market research; and at www.worldbank.org. 3  L*t .t li0ett ' in current development issues. S | ~ < The Small Grants Program (SGP) supports activities that promote network- P2.2M Grants to 10 NGOs for FYOO ing, dialogue and dissemination of informa- tion about local, regional and international Ten non-government organizations participation of economists to an interna- development involving various stakehold- received grants totalling P2.2M under the tional convention on sustainable develop- ers. For more information, please contact Bank's Small Grants Program for 2000. ment planning for indigenous peoples to Ms. Angie Ibus at telephone 917-3064. Any The projects funded by the Program short visual aids on the environment. They non-profit, non-governmental, non- covered a wide range of subjects, from the reflect the scope of the Bank's involvement academic development organization may apply. PrROPONENiTSNl PROJE NAEDESCRIPTION AMOUNT RELEASED 1. Philippine Economic FAEA 24th Regional Conference on Markets, Governance and Com- P 400,000 Society prehensive Development. FAEA is a union of economic associations and societies in SoutheastAsia The Philippines hosted FA EA's annual conference in December I 999 and thegrant financed the participation of Filipino representatives from civilsociety. 2. Pilipina Economic Literacy for Women NGO Leaders and PO Leaders. Participants 143,000 are beingprovided with tools fora better understandingofthe economyandto develop a gender-basedappreciation of macroeconomic trends andpolicies. The activities undertaken include a trainors' training course and the publication of criticalpapers. 3. ALAGAD-Mindanao, Inc. First Mindanao HIV/AIDSISTD Convention. The congress brings together key 300,000 stakeholders from Mindanao to look learn andact on pressing concerns about sexualand reproducdve health. At the end of the convention,various HIV/AIDSISTD efforts will be identifiedand the participants will renewpartnerships andalliances under a common cause. 4. Institute for Democratic Training Workshop on Poverty Measurements and Targeting. 84,000 Participation in Governance Barangay-bayangovernance trainors composed mostly of barangay leaders and local development workers from Leyte andSamarare attending thispilot trainingcourse. The skills theygain are expected to boost theirparticipation in anti-povertyprojects in their respective provinces. 5. Green Mindanao Crafting a Sustainable Development Plan for a Lumad Community in 250,000 Mt Kitanglad. The proponent is elicitingandaffiring familyhistory, customary laws and practices, and pacts in consultation with elders andyouth leaders among the Talandig, Bukidnon and Humagoon indigenous people in Mt Kitanglad Theirjoint agreements will lead to enhanced measures for the protection of ancestral domain and a sustainable development plan for the tribal communities. The process will be documented in a written reportas well as on film andaudio recordings. 6. Iloilo Caucus of Multi-Stakeholders Partnerships for the Promotion of Sustainable 263,500 Development NGOs, Inc. Development Initiatives in Iloilo. Planning workshops are being initiated involving various partners throughout the province. Agreements are being forged and structures rationalized for sustainable development efforts. The process will be documented. 7. Palawan Media and An Integrated Approach to Cooperative Development in Palawan. Forty 189,000 Environment Multi-Purpose participants for the live-in training workshop will include municipaland local coordinatiors Cooperatives agencyimplementors, andprivategroups. They willgo through a two-week course on values education, basic management, the cooperative movement, and its role in nation-building. An output of the workshop willbe a Provincial Cooperative Directory featuringsuccess stories in the sector. 8. Phil. Partnership for the Development of Learning Materials on Sustainable Integrated Area Development. 219,000 Dev't. of Human Resources in Advocacyand learning materials willbe developed for use of community-based Rural Areas (PhiIDHRRA- organizations, NGOs, andgovernment agencies and donors. Copies of the materials Visayas) will be distributed to members and partners ofthe PhilDHRRA network 9. Conservation International Philippine Visual Information Snippets for Filipino Children on Biodiversity and 248,100 Environmental Protection. Information snippets on the conservation of natural resources are beingproducedforairingoverthe Knowledge Channel everydayat regularintervals. Schoolchildren are the targetaudience of theshortprograms to informrandeducate them about the environment 10. Cahriba Alternative School Roundtable Discussion on Multiple Intelligences. This two-part conference 112,400 Foundation willconsist ofa local/national discussion andan internarionalteleconference on a new learning theory. Participants will come from DECS, CHED, TESDA, AIM, UPandthe localgovernmentof Los Banos. The teleconference willprovide foran exchange of views with scholars based in Harvard University. TOTAL P 2,200,000 4  WBQdCl Doing Bayanihan in Cavite "Money can't buy the satisfaction of seeing the smilingfaces of the people who will even tually live in the house we helped build..." 'For at least a day, Ifelt in solidarity with the homeless and the laborers..." Using hidden gifts in painting. "The brick brigade taught me the lesson of I +l =3... These were some of our thoughts and feelings after we sweated it out at St. Michael Village in Barangay Sungay East, Tagaytay City, a local housing site of the Upland Cavite Habitat for Humanity, Inc. ^ 1 ffi - -~ .. = I Around 40 of us from World Bank Office Manila rolled up our sleeves and happily worked side by side with the future homeowners who were there to contribute their sweat equity share for the housing units. Equipped with nothing but willing hands and an eager spirit, we started l r - ? zthe day with a simple orientation by the head of the local Habitat Office. As soon as the gloves were handed out, we proceeded to the tasks that c and bending wires under the shade, suited our physical stamina and tolerance to the sun which, on Cutting and bending wires under the shad. that day, was unusually cooperative. It was a day when titles and office positions did not matter; race, color and gender were completely ignored. No memos, no e-mails, no big meetings to attend to... It was simply the day when we just did it! -The Editor Oops ...be careful with the load. That looks like so much fun!A .0-m > - --4 f 8 All smiles from the staff, home partners and the Habitat staff. The "brick brigade"...Clearly, I + f =3! Some just have to supervise others. cement fro he ml 5  development, including her enriching stint Starting with this issue,In Touch will feature the Philippine Country Teams of the at the Australian Aid, she remarks, "My World Bank to give our readers a feel of the people behind the Bank projects and a greatest fulfillment is when I see that the better understanding of how the WB Country Team for the Philippines carries primary beneficiaries assume responsibility out its mission. for the projects, as well as, derive benefits from these." Tere is now on her third year with the Bank as Operations Officer for RD. The team's highly participatory approach is reflected both in their dealings with one another and between the team and their Team work Wo clientele. With this approach, everyone has a role to play. Team Assistants Maria Marjorie (Marj) Espiritu and Patria Consuelo (Patti) O f the 24 projects being supported by the coming to the Philippines, was recently Morente, who would normally be desk- 0 World Bank in the Philippines, nine cited for his effective leadership of a high bound staff, are actively involved in the are intended to improve the lives of people performance team involving national staff. overall project development. They some- living in rural communities. The Rural He says, "We have to combine all our times join field missions, facilitate work- Development (RD) Team is presently strengths and expertise to meet the greater shops, and assemble the final outputs of involved in all 9 projects located across the challenge of creating an impact in the rural these workshops. Marj is happy that she has country covering a wide range of agendas, areas where most of the poor live." moved on beyond traditional deskwork. She from rural finance to infrastructure to Maria Theresa (Tere) Quinones, is a says, "The opportunities given to me made agrarian reform to community- me realize that I am part of the based enterprises to social fund. Team. In a sense, I feel I am a The team distinguishes itself by stakeholder." going out there in the boondocks, Patti echoes the same rain or shine, even crossing islands sentiment. She explains, "I get to places where even the bravest to join the mission and be angels fear to tread. The combined informed of all activities from efforts of the RD teams here and at start to wrap-up of the project. the Headquarters Office in I find greater satisfaction in Washington, along with the that. It gives a higher sense of implementing government responsibility." Patti's and agencies, have resulted in a marked inMarj's recent exceptional effort improvement in the disbursement in producing a report on rural of projects. Moreover, projects, development won them which were rated unsatisfactory in a Team Spot award last May. the earlypart ofthe fiscal year, The High Performance R0 Team.(Standing L-R) Marj Decentralization, one ofthe have now achieved satisfactory Espiritu, (arol Figueroa-Geron, Patti Morente, and Tere fundamental directions the status. Quinones. (Seated, L-R) Richard Anson and Dodaie Bank pursued in 1997, has Anmentado. Not inphoto are Ver tara, a financial Theireffortshavenotgone management specialist, and Ernie Guiang, a natural helpedtheteamtobe more unnoticed by Bank management as resou rce management special ist. effective. "Being out there in the team members have received the field enables us to do our citations in recent Performance Awards. Performance Awardee for her outstanding work in a different way, in a way that is Indeed, the RD Team is a multi-awarded client work in delivering results on the more responsive, faster and sensitive to the group. ground and in mainstreaming NGO needs of the people in rural areas, " says The challenges in rural development are participation in Bank operations, most Richard. great and it is a gargantuan task for the notably in Country Assistance Strategy Carolina (Carol) Figueroa-Geron, former eight-member team at the World Bank (CAS) Consultations and in the implementa- Director at the Department of Agriculture, is Office in Manila (WBOM) led by Richard tion of the SZOPAD Social Fund. Tere is not obviously proud of the team. Herself a Anson. Richard, an experienced hand in RD one to rest on her laurels. Backed by her Performance Awardee for being an effective programs in four regions of the world before extensive experience in community alternate as Task Team Leader (TTL) in the 6  WBTeams field for the Mindanao Rural Development submitted to the Board and adjudged country now that I work at the World Bank." Project, Carol enthuses, "We are an example satisfactory by the Bank's Operations To ensure that matters related to financial of how a field-based group within the Bank Evaluation Department. management and natural resources are well can wvork effectively with our colleagues Dominic (Dodjie) Aumentado, Procure- undertaken, two specialists work hand in from Headquarters in order to proactively ment Officer for the Team, is another hand with the other members of the RD Team collaborate with our Government partners Performance Awardee for his efficient and and the implementing agencies. With in pursuing priority activities for rural timely handling of procurement requests projects worth billions of pesos, the Bank is development. I guess this is due from clients in the RD portfolio. He used to concerned with the efficient use of these to the mutual respect that we have for work with the Department of Science and resources in project implementation. one another." Technology and the Department of Educa- These projects go through a thorough Because of decentralization, some tasks tion, Culture and Sports. His accomplish- evaluation process. Felitio (Ver) Lara takes that used to be undertaken by colleagues ments in Government included the adoption care of financial concerns. Ernesto (Ernie) from HQ have been gradually assigned to of a more efficient procurement procedure Guiang, on the other hand, attends to forestry national staff. For example, Carol was in three flagship agencies. He finds his work and watershed management projects with recently named as Task Team Leader for at the Bank more fulfilling as he feels more due diligence. Before his work at the Bank, the preparation of the Implementation involved in the development efforts of the Ernie had a long experience on natural Completion Report (ICR) for the Philippines Bank. Dodjie claims, "I feel I am able to resource management projects with other Environment and Natural Resources Sector assist many projects of the government all donor agencies, such as the USAID and Adjustment Loan. Said ICR has been at the same time, so I'm doing more for my AUSAID. ONGOING PROJECTS for RURAL DEVELOPMENT Project Title Descrpti Government Iiplenenting UAency Partner AGRARIAN REFORM Helps plan and undertake development Department of Agrarian Reform COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT activities which will raise farmers' incomes COMMUNITY-BASED Supports locally generated natural resource Department of Finance RESOURCE MANAGEMENT management to reduce rural poverty and PROIECT environmental degradation CONSERVATION OF PRIORITY Helps to involve people in the protection and Natural Resources and NIPA (a PROTECTED AREAS preservation of forest resources group of NGOs) IRRIGATION OPERATIONS Helps to increase agricultural production, National Irrigation SUPPORT 11 expand small farmer incomes and rural Administration employment, and contributes to rural poverty alleviation MINDANAO RURAL Helps to increase farm and non-farm incomes DEVELOPMENT PROJECT of the rural poor and indigenous communities Department of Agriculture in Mindanao RURAL FINANCE II Helps expand the volume of medium- and long-term commercial credit to agriculture Land Bank of the Philippines and rural development in the countryside RURAL FINANCE III Gives financial support for the rural economy to help overcome the effects of the Asian Land Bank of the Philippines financial crisis and the devaluation of the peso WATER RESOURCES Supports developing a policy and institutional DEVELOPMENT PROJECT framework for improved water resources National Irrigation planning, development and management Administration Increases access for the poor to basic eco- SZOPAD SOCIAL FUND nomic and social infrastructure services and SZOPAD Social Fund Office employment opportunities 7  investment and competition, to education, DI P R and from governance and empowerment to financial regulation. At the same time, it also tions for a successful anti-corruption argues that progress has been uneven in campaign. It then lays down the lessons many areas, leaving enough of a remaining from the efforts of other countries in agenda to support growth and poverty Combating fighting the menace of corruption. reduction efforts over the medium term. ^ k - - Philippines approach in fighting corruption in the the key elements of this agenda which are: Pi lippie Philippines. Among its recommendations l)Intensifying trade liberalization and are policy reforms and deregulation to domestic competition.; 2)Strengthening This report has bee prepared at the reduce opportunities for corruption, standards of governance across financial, Government's request to help strengthen its enhanced public oversight, stronger corporate and public sectors.; 3)Broadening fight against corruption in the country. The sanctions against corruption, and support asset ownership, and the poor's access to World Bank Office in Manila agreed, since for judicial reforms. tangible assets (e.g., land) and intangible the Bank's global experience shows that As World Bank President, Mr. James ones (e.g., education); and 4)Nurturing corruption adversely affects a country's Wolfensohn, said during his visit to the domestic savings in the public sector to start development. Corruption is known to Philippines early this year, "The issue of with. reduce the effectiveness of poverty reduc- corruption in many countries is determined On this basis, the report projects that tion strategies and hinders growth. Most by the leadership and by the people of the GDP growth would pick up this year and often, it is the poor who are mostly and country. And when they get fed up with it, again cross the 5 percent threshold in the deeply affected by corruption. For these something happens. And until they do, not medium-term. It outlines many recommen- reasons, helping the Philippines combat a lot happens." dations to achieve the vision of the govern- corruption is an important element of the ment to meet its poverty reduction target in Country Assistance Strategy for the line with its medium-term development Philippines. plan for 1999-2004. In preparing this report, the Bank drew upon its global experience and analyzed a Z Philippine Growth wide and significant body of information With Equity: The and published reports from Filipino and RemainingAgenda publications, contact international sources. The Bank did not 157 pp. International Booksource conduct any new survey nor did it collect Center Inc. new data. The final version of the report has With the Asian crisis receding, the question II 27-A Antipolo Street benefited from the participation and facing the authorities now is how to bring Barangay Venezuela, Makati City Tel. (632) 896-6501 / 6505 / 6507 feedback of many individuals and institu- back growth to a pace healthy enough to Fax (632) 896-1741 tions. make a serious dent on poverty. For the man Or visit our 24-hour online website at The report recommends that a national on the street, the perception is that poverty www.worldbank.org/publications. strategy for fighting corruption should focus is no longer declining. To borrow publications, contact on reducing opportunities and moivation This report highlights how much recent The World Bank for corruption and making it a high-risk, achievements in terms of growth and Countryh Office Manila 23/F, The Taipan Place low-reward activity. poverty reduction owe to the progress the Emerald Ave., Ortigas Center The report recognizes the premise that country has made on a broad front of policy Pasig City the Philippines today meets many precondi- issues, ranging from openness to trade, The World Bank Country Office Manila 23/F, The Taipan Place Place Emerald Ave., Ortigas Center Stamp PasigCity ' 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