WOULD the World Bank (WB) delegation’s visit to Catigbian recently be a sign of good things to come, we may know soon.
No less than country director for the Philippines Bert Hofman admitted amazement as he led the WB team of officials in visiting their funded projects in this agricultural town.
The team, comprised of operations and portfolio manager Maryse Gautier, social development network leader Mark Woodward and other officials came for WB 2009 Portfolio Review Field Visits.
A recipient of three WB-funded projects, Catigbain in turn readied a welcome worthy for guest partners: a drum and lyre corps from Immaculate Mary Academy.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Atty. Johnson Sinco and DAR personnel escorted the visiting team and made a courtesy call to Mayor Roberto Salinas before walking to the Catigbian Livestock Auction Center, the 1st World Bank funded project here.
At the welcome program, WB team leader acknowledged the warm welcome and said “We get out of Manila to know how you meet your challenges, know your priorities and see how you looked into your priorities.”
“We also want to know what we can do,” he added, hinting future partnerships with the town.
The WB team also visited the rehabilitated Baang – Liboron Farm to market road (FMR) and the on-going Poblacion – Candumayao – Alegria – Causwagan Norte FMR rehabilitation through the Agrarian Reform Communities Development Program (ARCDP-2).
The newly completed municipal health center was WB’s last stop.
After hearing how beneficiaries gained from the projects, Hofman expressed WB elation for having delivered in their job of alleviating poverty.
However, Hofman hinted a better strategy of privatization on the livestock center.
“Maybe you have some more investments to think over, [and privatization of the center] means money [used for operating the facility] can be generated for future projects” he said citing better schools, more equipment in the health center or better roads.
On the health center, Hofman hailed the Yellow Card, a system that prioritizes the poorest among the poor for free medical services and charges those who can afford.
“But some money should be generated out of the health center,” he told the local leaders.
Another WB leader, Woodward said he is very optimistic that the LGU can sustain the operation of the health center, as long as it applies the principle the town has been into.
“[The town] is remarkably neat well ordered, organized clean place so I think if that will be applied to the health center, that would mean great.
The positive impressions from the WB top brass also encouraged and dared local officials.
“The experience working with WB adds to the capacity of the Performance Team to become better government workers” Mayor Salinas admitted.
Seeing the perfect chance, the local leaders shared their next priorities: rehabilitation of prioritized farm to market roads, construction of solar driers, construction of mini-impounding projects, acquisition of post harvest facilities and assistance for livelihood activities, which they hope WB could partner.
Meanwhile, Washington-based Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has chosen the Philippines as among the countries eligible for a large-scale grant, one that pours additional source of capital for investment in economic development, MCC said in a statement sent to the Palace.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the MCC statement reaffirms the Arroyo government’s commitment in reducing poverty and focus on making the economy grow.
At present, the Philippines enjoys a threshold program status, which means it is only receiving smaller grants designed to help improve performance on specific indicators.
With a compact assistance status next year, the Philippines will be eligible for full assistance from the US-based MCC. (rachiu/PIA)