InTouch 5 (4)

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 | ; '