InTouch 7 (1)

A Newsletter of the World Bank DV_ _ _ _ Country Office Manila ___ Septemnber 2001 Volume 7 No.1 23229 New %ountry Director for the Philippines - -_= ] Signing of MMURTRIP WB C ountry Director for the Phiiippines Robert Vance Pulley and Fhannce SecretoryJose Isidro Comocho sign the loan and grant agreements for the project thut will help improve traffic in Metro Manila_ Gov't-GEF-WB ProjectTo 'mproveTraffic and Environment The World Bank will provide a US$60 The World Bank has a new The Philippine Government and the million loan while the Global Country Director for the World Bank recently signed the Environment Facility (GEF) will provide Philippines - RobertVance Pulley, agreements for a US$60 million loan and a US$1.3 million equivalent grant. The who assumed his post on July a US$1.3 million equivalent grant for the total project costs, including the 30. Van, as called by friends, is Metro Manila Urban Transport government's counterpart fund, are an economist who has been with Integration Project (MMURTRIP). estimated at US$97.6 million. the Bank for 14 years. Mr Pulley MMURTRIP aims to enhance the quality GEF provides grant and concessional succeeded Vinay Bhargava, who of life and economic productivity of Metro funds to countries for projects that aim has served in the Philippines for Manila residents by improving the to protect the global environment. It more than five years. efficiency and safety of the transport addresses four critical threats to the system through better access to public environment - biodiversity loss, climate Mr Bhargava has returned to the traspo andough noemtorizcced transpubt change, degradation of international Bank's headquarters in waters, and ozone deplenon. Washington D.C. as Senior In particular, the project will help reduce Ashinton D.c. asienior pollution by promoting the use of bicycle Help Lower-income Commuters Adviser to the Vice President of . . . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~East Asia and the Pacific and in Marikina City as an alternative to "This project is another solid Acting Country Director for motorized transport. manifestation of the government's (f 7 (_ 6 Grarts for Mindanao Signed p2 * AToastto Partnership p4-S In This Issue SmalGGransforNGOProjctsp3 - RosellasjourneyofHopep7 ; 0 t: 00tWB~~ WSGrant to Help LGUsf p * Ftlipino Report Cardtp8  I3 - Gov't, WB Sign $2.45M Grants for Mindanao and Development (SZOPAD) Social Fund Project. It will finance capacity building and microfinance assistance for community-based and microenterprise activities of indigenous people, women and widows in the SZOPAD area. Using a set of agreed guidelines and xprocedures, sub-grants wll be awarded to non-government organizations (NGOs) and people's organizations (POs) for them to undertake capacity building assistance and provide credit and development in the region and to groups or individuals. The Philippine Government and render critical interventions to alleviate Sustainable Livelihood the World Bank signed last June two the dismal living conditions especially grant agreements for Mindanao of the sectors most severely victimized The Bank has received more than 50 totaling US$2.45 million. by war and poverty," he said. proposals from NGOs and POs The grants - the first to be financed Mr. Kassum said the two grants would amounting to US$2.15 million. by the Japan Social Development Fund expand the Bank's on-going assistance livelihood, which can be replicated and the second by the Bank - will for the long-term economic and social through follow-on assistance programs. support the government's programs development of Mindanao. that promote sustained peace and . . The second grant of US$950,000 will speedy reconstruction in Mindanao, Basic Services help in the preparation of a long-term particularly in conflict-affected On top of the grants, 18 of the 24 peace and development plan for communities. Bank-assisted projects, which total Mindanao. It will finance a social projec assessment of the needs of conflict- The agreements were signed by former U .i,, affected communities in Mindanao. Finance Secretary Alberto Romulo projects that provide basic services like and former WB Country Director for water, health and nutrition, schools The grant will also pilot test the Philippines Vinay Bhargava. The and textbooks, roads and irrigation approaches to enable evacuees and signing was witnessed by Jemal-ud- systems to the people in Mindanao. those directly affected by the armed din Kassum, the Bank's Vice President Mr. Kassum said the implementation conflict to return to their communities. for East Asia and the Pacific. of these projects could be accelerated Meanwhile, Mr. Bhargava emphasized Lasting Benefits as the peace and order situation in the need for the implementing agencies Mindanao improves. "Peaceful to have adequate staff, clear-cut Reiterating the government's conditions and a Mindanaoan-demand responsibilities and accountabilities. commitment to promote peace and driven program are prerequisites for "Moreover, design and development in Mindanao, Mr. Mindanao's long-lasting implementation should be based on Romulo said such assistance would development," he said. adequate consultation and feedback bring lasting benefits to the country. The first grant of US$1.5 million will mechanisms, which will be supported "It will help the government address be managed by the Fund Management by these grants," he said. the deep-rooted issues affecting peace Office of the Special Zone for Peace 1 2  WBNews Small Grants Program Supports 6 NGO Projects As ofJune 30, 2001 TheWorld Bank's Small Grants Program The approved projects are the following: * Enabling Philippine Civil Society Policy Development in Information and (SGP) recently approved the requests . ConferenceWorkshopTowards of six non-government organizations Developing a People's Monitoring CommunicationsTechnology Issues - Foundation for Media Alternatives, (NGOs) for funding of their projects. and Reporting Mechanisms of $9,271 $9,2 71 Government Proj.ects -Transparency These projects would support people's j monitoring of government projects, International Philippines, $10, 000 * Workshop on Capacity Building of POs and NGOs on the General reform in the government's revenue * Building Civil Society Support for collection, promotion of good Revenue Reforms - Foundation for Agreement on Tariffs and Trade- governance by legislatures in Asian Economic Freedom, Inc., I Uruguay Round Agreement on governance. . Agriculture -Philippine Rural countries, participation of civil society