A Newsl etter o f the Wo rld Bankjo ovi:C o u n t r y O f f i c e M a n i I a

March 2000 Volume 5 Number 2

James D. Wolfensohn Visits the Philippines 23275WB President HighlightsPartnership for Poverty ReductionW orld Bank President James D.

Wolfensohn arrived in thePhilippines to discuss developmentl

issues with the Government and the Bank'spartner organizations. Some of these issueswere poverty reduction, good governanceand transparency.

From February 24to 26, the World Bankchief was in Manila for the concluding legof an official tour of selected East Asianscountries affected by the recent regional Xfinancial crisis.

During his three-day stay, Mr. Wolfen- .sohn met with President Joseph EjercitoEstrada, members of the Economic Coor-nating Council and other governmentofficials. It was his first visit to the Philip- ,pines since President Estrada assumedoffice on July 1, 1998. Both Presidents

expressed commitment to poverty reduc- Philippine President Joseph Ejercito Estrada welcomes WB President James D.tion, a partnership in rural development Wolfensohn (right), while Socio-Economic Planning Secretary and NEDAand the fight against corruption. Director General Felipe Medalla (left) and Finance Secretary Jose Pardo (2nd

from left) look on.

Meeting With Concerned Sectors focus of its Medium-Term Philippine Group, these five elements include strength-A highlight of Mr. Wolfensohn's visit Development Plan (MTPDP). He also ening governance, establishing a properwas his speech during the multisectoral discussed the Comprehensive Development legal and justice system, ensuring compe-conference on partnerships for governance Framework (CDF) and acknowledged that tent financial supervision and control,and development. More than 400 partici- some of its principles are being applied in implementing social safety nets, andpants from the three branches of govern- the national arena and MTPDP. minimizing corruption.ment, the private sector, diplomatic corps, Mr. Wolfensohn described the frame- The World Bank head said, "The elementmedia and civil society attended the work that could effectively address poverty. overriding it all is the issue of corruption. Ifconference and it provided an opportunity Culled from over 50 years of the Bank's you get all the other elements in place, butfor the WB President to touch base with the experience as an international development the society is corrupt, it doesn't work. SoBank's various stakeholders. institution and his personal visits to you have to deal with corruption issues

In his talk, he commended the Estrada hundreds of projects in 84 countries during along with infrastructure and social issues."administration for the poverty reduction his first term as President of the World Bank p. 2

In This Isue .CODOWNGOWinsatWBDevttMarketplace, p3 WBPictureGalleryp4-5In 'niSS Ise *Bank Approves Two New iLoans, p3 WB's New Faces, p6.1

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waP*1 WORLD BANKPRESI DEONT VISITS, drawn up during an earlier trisectoral New Funds for Development ProgramsPR SIE TVS .* conference which involved leaders from During his trip to the Philippines, World

the government, NGO and private business Bank President Wolfensohn witnessed theMr. Wolfensohn pointed out that he was sectors. signing of a $100 million loan agreement to

not recommending a formula for success. In his keynote address at the same finance the government's Social ExpenditureInstead, he was simply presenting what the conference, President Estrada said that his Management Program. World Bank ManilaBank has found out on a global basis in its administration adheres to the principles of Office Country Director Vinay Bhargavafight against poverty. the CDF and recognizes globalization as the signed the agreement on behalf of the Bank

Mr. Wolfensohn made his comments in wave of the future. The president reiterated while Secretary Jose Pardo signed on behalfthe light of a 10-point action plan presented his commitment to poverty reduction. He of the Philippine government.to President Estrada during the same elaborated, "Poverty eradication was the Specifically, the loan will be used tomultisectoral conference. Among the central plank of my platform when I sought improve the procurement systems, financialpriorities listed were the use of the "citizen the presidency. It is now the central driving management and management informationas customer" approach against corruption force of my strategy of government." systems of the Department of Education,in all areas of public service delivery and President Estrada emphasized that Culture and Sports and the Department ofprocurement, strengthening of government combating corruption and inefficiency in Social Welfare and Development.regulatory agencies through the selection of govcrnment has always been a major thrust Mr. Wolfensohn was accompanied bycredible public officials and the passage of of his administration. In the delivery of Mrs. Elaine Wolfensohn; Jean-Michel Severino,pressing reform laws, and the decentraliza- essential services, he has committed his Vice-President for East Asia; Jemal-ud-dintion of the management of public schools to government to treat each citizen as a Kassum, newly-appointed VP for East Asia;the local governments. The ten-point agenda customer in much the same way as the best- and Mr. Javed Hamid, Director for East Asiato improve government performance was run private companies serve their clients. Private Sector Development Unit.

I could have danced came, started by the staff singing the oblivious of their partners.Comprehensive Development Framework Just when Jim and I became attuned

all night with Jim to the tune of "Mambo No. 5." On cue, one to each other's moves, I heard my cue toby ELENA M. MARtTINEZ of my co-dancers cheered me on, "Go, return him to his former place. But, no,

Bibi, go!" So off I gracefully went to take Jim wouldn't let go of my hand and(Mr. Wolfensohn's visit to the Philippines Jim by the hand and lead him to the dance wouldn't stop dancing. Instead, he andwasn't exactly a whirlwind of state dinners and floor. Soon, outgoing Regional Vice- I joined my co-dancers for the finale.official meetings. Here's a personal account of President Jean-Michel Severino, incoming Suddenly taking the lead, Jim curled histhe night when jim Wo1fensohn slipped on his Regional Vice-President Jemal ud-don right arm around my left arm and hisdancing shoes and hadfun on the dancefloor.) Kassum and Jim's wife, Elaine, were also other arm with another colleague, Maribel

I nervously sipped my beer minutes on the dance floor. I stood completely Belizario. Instinctively, the rest of thebefore our song-and-dance dancers interlocked arms andnumber during the cocktails in = followed Jim who moved forwardhonor of World Bank President and backward, alternately kickingJames (Jim) Wolfensohn who was up his heels along the way. Oh, itthen on the last night of his second was so much fun! In the end, wePhilippine visit. raucously applauded Jim for his

Jim, who's accorded a states- spontaneity and innate talent forman's welcome in many countries, entertainment. That night was justwas the unknowing man that I was too short for me.to dance with that night. The more As all the excitement simmeredI thought of his global stature, the down, I turned to take my glass ofless help I got from my beer. My beer but quickly changed my mindhands felt cold and clammy with since I didn't need it anymore.the sanitizer I had hastily rubbed After all, my evening had alreadyon them. Yet my nerves wouldn't been made, thanks to Mr. Jimcalm down, knowing that within Wolfensohn.minutes I would be dancing with no M Ms. Elena Martinez ("Bibi") isordinary Jim. a Team Assistant at the World

Then the intense moment finally Bank Office Manila.

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CODE-NGO W ins by the World Bank. The contest drew nearly People's Choice awardees, 4 Team's Choice

Innovation Competition 1,200 entries from all over the world. awardees and 4 World Bank Institute Choiceat v Bs Development Development Marketplace 2000 is a awardees. More than S3 million were

forum to encourage cooperation within the awarded to the winning entries which wereMarketplace development community in the search for chosen for having the greatest promise of

- _ , solutions to reduce poverty. Two events yielding the highest results in povertyhighlight the activities of the Development reduction.

_ =6 iK _ ;Marketplace: Innovation Competition and CODE-NGO's entry, "Localizing CivilX 8 1 _ Knowledge Products Exchange. Society Campaign To Fight Poverty", aims

The first Innovation Competition, held to make the government accountable for theX a s 7 a from February 8-9, 2000 in Washington D.C., progressive decline of poverty in the

identified the most innovative ideas in the country, using the following strategies:development community. Come April, 2000, (1) Poverty monitoring at national and local

.. .i an exhibition called Knowledge Products government levels; (2) Advocacy for theExchange will showcase leading edge targeted delivery of basic services, asset

The awardees: Ms. Corazon Juliano-Soliman development products and services. reforms and natural resources managementand Mr. Danilo Songco (right) of CODE-NGO. Innovation Competition was opened to programs towards high poverty incidence

NGOs, businesses, the academe, foundations, areas; and (3) Monitoring of government'sThe Caucus of Development NGO Net bilaterals and multilaterals. Over 250 teams delivery of anti-poverty programs atTworks (CODE-NGO), an umbrella caine to Washington D.C. and another 50 national and local levels.

organization of 12 networks representing participated via videoconference to present The winners were announced by James3,000 peoples' organizations and coopera- new ideas and approaches in reducing D. Wolfensohn, President of the Worldtives in the Philippines, was among the 44 poverty using the Internet as their platform. Bank, at the MC Preston Hall of the Worldwinning entries to the Innovation Competi- There were 44 DM Award winners, 4 IFC Bank in Washington D. C.tion at Development Marketplace organized Award winners, 2 InfoDev awardees, 6

BankApproves Two New Loans for 1<

Social Services and National Roads A.

the World Bank's Board of Executive largely benefiting the poor during thisTDirectors recently approved a package of period of budgetary constraints. We also -

assistance consisting of$ 100 million for the want to support government reforms ,Social Expenditure Management Project and intended to improve public expenditure , j -

$150 million for the First National Roads management in the social sector."Improvement and Management Project. The First National Roads Improvement r:i<La

The Social Expenditure Management and Management Project (NRIMP-I) is the4> Project (SEMP) supports the provision of first phase of NRIMP, a nine-year progranim basic social services, particularly those of sustained assistance from the World Bfrlcoming from the Department of Education, directed at improving Philippine national,Culture and Sports and the Department of roads. NRIMP supports the Government'Social Welfare and Development. SEMP reform program for the road sector -provides for the construction of 900 class- addressing management and financingrooms and the repair and maintenance of issues of national roads. It also seeks to V -

26,000 sites; the distribution of 25 million develop sustainable financing, promotetextbooks and 450,000 desks and chairs; better monitoring of road conditions and W i .and the training of about 5,000 teachers. the involvement of road users, and improve it.,The Project will also assist the Social Welfare key business processes within the Depart _Department in the operation and mainte- ment of Public Works and Highways. .

nance of centers, institutions and programs The NRIMP Program will be imple-for distressed and disadvantaged groups in mented in three phases from 2000the poorest municipalities in the country. to 2009. The first phase, NRIMP-I, will

World Bank Country Director for the be undertaken over a period of 3 1/2 years.'Philippines Vinay Bhargava said, "Our aim It will upgrade about 528 kms. of nationalis to support the Government in protecting roads and provide for the maintenance of .the budget for the provision of basic services 1,000 kms. of national roads.

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,24-26'; 7 e6,waItJ 2000

The two Presidents listen intentlyto the conference proceedings.

s~~~~~~~~~w Conr Direcorna Bf7 ,-hagv grees-,

President Joseph Ejercito Estrada offeratostoW ldW Cuny ictrnyBhraages PhilippineBank President WOlfensohn during a tate Dn r. President Joseph Estrada.

The donor community participates in the conference onPartnerships for Governance and Development. TheWB Chief stresses a point during a Q&A session with

Philippine media.

4

WBGaUlery

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World Bank Office Manila staff warmly welcomes Bank President Wolfensohn and party.

OVERNA aVELOP E OSJ I U I E RADA JANFf S D~ WOLPE;SOpN

WB President Wolfensohn talks abu teCmrehensiveDevelopment Framework (CDF) atteCneece onPartnerships for Governance and Dvlpet

President Estrada gives the keynote address to the Partnershipsconference.

President Wolfensohn talks legal withChief Justice Davide.

ridPresidentrsWolfensohn g rnand bumps with the svelte ladies ofWB Office Manila.

doing something that will have a positiveimpact on other people.

Luisa copes with the demands of herwork through a strong support system athome and in the office. She loves to go

sailing with her family and friends wheneverher schedule allows.

She cherishes her time with her family,

especially now that a bouncing baby hasbeen added to her personal crown jewels.

ESPERANZA "SP" SADIUA is an Adminis-ANGELINA"ANGIE"IBUS istheOpera- ii t trative Team Assistant. She holds ations Officer for participation/civil Bachelor of Science degree in Industrialsociety relations. She is responsible for Psychology from the Far Easternexpanding stakeholder involvement in University and Business Managementthe Bank's operations and increasing the from the University of California at Loslevel of their participation in World Angeles.Bank-financed projects. Sometime during the I 980s, SP went

Angie brings to her new job experi- to the United States and worked as anences she gained working with interna- Office Manager for an Australiantionally-recognized institutions in the garments company in L.A. for ten years.areas of rural development and institu- When she decided to come to thetional capacity building. Her first - Philippines, she was appointed Adminis-exposure to the field of people-centered trative Assistant at the Internationaldevelopment was with the International Center for Living Aquatic ResourcesInstitute of Rural Reconstruction where __Management (ICLARM) in Makati City.she spent over 10 years working with Last year, ICLARM announced itspeople's organizations, government and plans to move to Malaysia and SP foundNGOs to implement participatory and herself desperate to land another job.rural development appproaches. It gave Fortunately, the World Bank Manilaher the opportunity to share ideas and . L Office took her into its fold. She would

experiences wit felo Fiiio. swl (Sitting, L to R): Angelina Ibus, Luisa Espanocla;expericnces with fellow Filipinos as well (standing) Caridad Valerio, Esperanza Sadiua. later find out that she was the firstas with disenfranchised groups in countries candidate the Bank called up for thein Asia, latin America and Africa. Her most LuisA SAMBELi EsPANOLA is a Team position.recent professional engagement was with Assistant at the Bank's Infrastructure Unit. At the Administrative Office, SP hasthe Food and Agriculture Organization with She holds a degree in Business Economics earned the distinction of being the unofficiala Philippine government project that from a university in the United States. She afternoon timekeeper. When the bundyprovides technical support for agrarian started her career with the World Bank at its clock strikes at exactly 5:00 p.m., she wouldreform and rural develoopment in targeted headquarters in Washington, D.C., while her have cleaned up her workstationi and becommunities. husband was studying at the U.S. Naval ready to go. She wants to be home with her

She is an Agriculture Business graduate Academy. family before sunset.of the University of the Philippines at Los She was very glad that the Bank provided SP is raising two small kids which sheBanos, Laguna and holds a Master of her the opportunity to resume her career in showers with her presence and attention asScience degree in Management for Agricul- Manila. She believes that working in a world much as her working week will allow. Fortural Development from the Cranfield class organization which helps the less relaxation, she likes to go hiking or campingInstitute of Technology in the UK.lustitwoe months echnolog the j, Afortunate improve their lives is a tremen- and taking out of town trips.

just two months on the Job, Angie dons experience. Right now, she coisidersmanages to keep her weekends free for her her work to bean opportunity to pitch in her MA. CARIDAD "CAY" VALERIO is a Teamfamily and hopes to keep it that way. small share in poverty alleviation plus a Assistant with the Portfolio Management

whole lot more. She looks forward to be Team. Prior to joining the Bank, she was

6

WBNews

connected with the leading telecommunica- Team Leaders and Officers. hesitate in taking the opportunity to jointions company (PLDT) as an executive It's not something new to her. Prior to the World Bank. She now feels fortunate tosecretary to the Vice President. Cay has a her stint at the Bank, she rose from the be with a highly professional organization.Bachelor's degree in Business Administra- ranks at the Philippine Airlines. At PAL, she She considers herself a team player withtion from the University of Santo Tomas practically ran the office single-handedly for a positive work attitude and a willingness towhich has helped her a lot in her work a succession of Filipino executives and learn from others to be able to keep pacebefore and now at the Bank. foreign consultants. with the Bank's high working standards.

She is truly grateful for the opportunity What adds a new dimension to her work Those qualities, she hopes, would nurture ato experience work in a multi-cultural at the World Bank Office Manila is the long, meaningful and productive stay withenvironment where professionalism and excitement of learning the terminology, the Bank.dynamism at its highest standards are acronyms and operating cycles of projects Monette thinks everything boils down toclearly evidenced in the staff s unwavering her Team is working on. It's a tough grind, time management. Everyone has 24 hours tocommitment to provide efficient and she admits. But somebody's got to do it and spend each day and she believes she owes iteffective support to the country office. to herselfto balance career and family.

On the side, she addresses the Bank's Well, she manages her time wisely,policy on life-work balance by keeping enabling her to live up to expectations ather weekends totally devoted to her work and still enjoy her free time going todentist husband. Cay loves cooking, the malls and watching movies.eating, trying out new restaurants,mailing and watching laser discs at home.a MAYA GABRIELA VILLALUZ is the

Operations Officer for Environment.LOURDES "LUDY"ANDUCTA is a Commu- u - . Maya is a Civil Engineer by profes-nications Assistant assigned to the Front - sion, and her post-graduate accomplish-Office Unit. She graduated from the iments include mnasteral degrees inUniversity of Santo Tomas with a I Environmental Engineering andBachelor's Degree in Economics. Her first 7 Environmental Science andprofessional stint was with PLDT, Technology, and a doctorate inassigned to the Office of the Vice S Environmental Science. Her previousPresident, Risk Management Center. working stints with the Department

Her exposure to the various adminis- - I of Public Works and Highways andtrative and technical aspects from her the Department of Environment andprevious job has equipped and enabled r Natural Resources, as well as with aher to cope with the varying degrees of - leading consulting company, firms upthe daily demands and challenges posed (Sitting, L to R): Monina Lozada, Maya VilIaluz: her credentials as an environmentby the requirements of the Bank. (standing) Lourdes Anducta, Patti Morente professional.

A lady with a mind of her own, she Having participated in foreign-aidedprefers to experience everything firsthand as P i c projects in her previous jobs, Mava feelsshe is not the type to be intluenced by atti to get things the right. that working in a multi-cultural workplacesomeone else's opinion or judgment. Ludy attitude to get things done rght, such as the World Bank is not exactlyis a firm believer that a person makes their new to her. She expects the demands on herown destiny. Her ultimate dream is to MONINA "MONETTE" LOZADA is a Team performance to be higher now becauseexperience the thrills of a Safari adventure. Assistant assigned to the Bank's Front Office. the work environment at the Bank instills

She spent 11 years as Administrative efficiency and commitment to deliver on

PATTI "PATTI" MORENTE. Patti is a Team Services Officer to a top-ranking executive time.Assistant with the Rural Development of the Development Bank of the Philippines. Maya considers herself a well-roundedTeam. Onlv six months on the Team, she is Then she moved to the Moldex Group of person, friendly but driven. She is not toobeginning to like the daily challenges that Companies as Executive Secretary to the keen on her generation's current penchantcome with her new job. She likens her work President for seven years. for malling. She says, "I only go to the mallswith running a small office to serve the Monette is clear on the career growth for bargain-hunting and the movies, butclerical and administrative demands of path she wants to pursue such that when nature-tripping is always my first choice."

the time came to move on, she did not

7

j i i t ' 1 t,. | | | lF ** | | ,,; | poor on five continents and it gathers first-' ' D 'NS hand information on the poor, what they

want to improve their lives and the kind of

innovative Bank policies needed to reduce- 1| _ the 1998 sector study and adding several poverty. In the Philippines, in the Mindanaonew ones as well. region, women say, "We boil bananas for

Philippine This is the result of a joint study of the our children if food is not available. In someEducation for the World Bank and the Asian Development cases, when corn seeds are distributed, we_ l 7 l I l | 21st Century Bank undertaken in collaboration with the cook these seeds instead of planting them.

1998 Philippines Department of Education, Culture and Families borrow money to acquire theseEducation Sector Studv Sports, the Technical Education and Skills seeds, and the cycle of poverty continues,Itt pages. 1999. Development Authority, the Department of because the are unable to pay ofnf these

Science and Technology, and the National loansThe Philippine Education Sector Study Economic and Development Authority of Rather than extol the despair of the(PESS) is a comprehensive overview and the Government of the Philippines. disadvantaged, the book also focuses ondetailed analysis of the main issues in the . . ' .countrv's education sector, from basic to initiatives that give the poor more powerhigher education. It huilds on the 1998 Voices of the Poor and greater opportunity as well as a widersector study and the work of the Congres- Can Anyone Hear Us? range of options at the local level. It offers asional Commission on Education, highlight- Deepa Naraya, et. al. host of new wavs by which poor communi-

ing the progress and pinpointing the 334 pp ties can put themselves in the driver's seating the progress and pinpointing the .pp ..... . .direction of future reform efforts. Voices of the Poor s a reveang new stud in improving their living conditions; citing

-_I success miodels fromi a njumber of counitries.PESS focuses on the government's by the World Bank on the causes and effects -

n ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~As Plrofessor Amarty aSen th e 1998education and training policy in the context of global poverty. It presents detailed ys Professor EconomicS, ts it,of current economic difficulties, the personal accounts from over 60,000 men Nobel te for is, puts it,implications of its continuing integration and women in 60 countries on the realities "[Voicesiof to imvelo usinto the global marketplace and the of living with poverty, and what the poor the inside."demands of vulnerable groups. It is need to improve their lot.organized arotind four broad areas: (1) the From Georgia to Brazil and Nigeria to To orderWorld Bank Groupfinancing of education and training and the the Philippines, the new book chronicles the publications, contact:efficiency of resource use; (2) equity in the daily struggles and hardships of the poor International Booksourcelower levels of the education system-basic and how their lives are shaped by common Center Inc.education for whom and of what quality; (3) "pains" such as hunger, powerlessness, I1 27-A Antipolo Streetskills for competitiveness-the adequacy of social isolation, state corruption, gender Barangay Venezuela, Makati City

Tel. (632) 896-650 I / 6505 / 6507middle- and higher-skills development for inequality and the rudeness of public Fax (632) 896-1741the future competitiveness of the Philippine officials. According to many of those Or visit our 24-hour online website ateconomy; and (4) the management of the interviewed for the book, poverty is much www.worldbank.orglpublications.education sector-coordination and more than a lack of income. Poverty also To borrow, contact:facilitation by the center, autonomy and means having no 'voice' in influencing key The World Bankaccountability at the peripherv. The book decisions affecting their lives. Country Office Manilacomes with a comprehensive statistical Voices of the Poor is the result of ten 23/F,The Taipan Placeannex, updating the tables that appeared in years of intensive consultations with the Emeraid Ave., OrCtigas Center

The World Bank Countrv Office Manila23/F, The Taipan Place PlaceEmnerald Ave., Ortigas Center StampI 1vPasig city LHere

I ouch i a qrtly newsletter of the World BankCountry Office Manila. All correspondence may be addressed to:

The World Bank Country Office Manila23/F, The Taipan Place

Emerald Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig CityTel. 637-5855 to 64

EDITORIAL STAFF: Vinay K. Bhargava, editorial adviserLeonora A. Gonzales, editorElena Martinez, contributor

Charito C. Sanalila, production assistant