WB to scale up Mindanao rehab aid

The World Bank (WB) Group said it will increase its level of assistance to Mindanao’s peace-building and development programs after a review of its country partnership strategy, according to a WB statement on Friday.

The World Bank has allotted up to $1.41 billion of support for the Philippines next year until 2019. This is $660 million for 2018 and $750 million in 2019 which includes projects for agriculture and education in Mindanao.

In completing its performance and learning review report or PLR, the World Bank said it has decided to “scale up” the Mindanao program to “raise agricultural productivity and improve connectivity from farm to market; boost education, skills, and employability of the youth; and help build resilient communities.” The World Bank said 682,000 people in conflict-ridden Mindanao has already benefitted from various programs. About 36 percent of the nation’s poor are in the region.

“(We) fully supports the government’s focus on developing lagging regions, including in Marawi and surrounding areas,” said Mara K. Warwick, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand. “The World Bank, together with the Asian Development Bank, will coordinate financial assistance from the development partners for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi City. Also, the World Bank will provide technical assistance for the early recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction planning for Marawi City as requested by government.”

The World Bank administers the Mindanao Trust Fund-Reconstruction and Development Project (MTF-RDP) for lasting peace and development in Mindanao. The fund is a multi-donor grant facility to consolidate international development assistance for the region. For over a decade, the European Union, the US, Canada and Australia has given $28.9 million to the program.

The MTF with 573 infrastructure undertakings, among others, has funded programs and projects that promote economic opportunity, provide access to basic services, and build greater understanding and cooperation among community members in conflict-affected areas.

To increase its assistance to the region, the World Bank said it the partnership strategy will focus on five areas: transparent and accountable government; empowerment of the poor and vulnerable; rapid, inclusive and sustained economic growth; resilience to climate change, environment, and disaster risk management; and peace, institution building, and social and economic opportunity, with focus on conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

“The strategy is built on our longterm partnership with the Philippine government, development partners, and other sectors of society,” said Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific.

The midterm review of the strategy provides an opportunity to assess progress and lessons learned, and introduce revisions to its implementation, the statement said. “Following consultations with various stakeholders in Iloilo, Tuguegarao and Cotabato, the review finds that overall, key elements of the country partnership strategy remain relevant to the government’s Philippine Development Plan.”