News and Updates

World Bank Assists Projects to Strengthen Assets of Poor Filipinos
Second Women’s Health and Safe Motherhood Project (WHSMP2), Second Land Administration and Management Project (LAMP II) signed as well as grants for the preparation of two proposed projects—the National Program Support for Basic Education and the Participatory Irrigation Development Project. Full story »»

Over Three Million Filipinos to Benefit From Improved Sewerage Coverage and Sanitation Services
The US$64 Million loan for the Manila Third Sewerage Project (MTSP) was recently approved to support the government’s goal of decreasing water pollution and the damage it does to the environment and people’s health as stipulated in the 2004 Clean Water Act. The project will increase sewerage coverage from about 8% to 30%, and sanitation services to 100% in the East concession area. Full story »»

Improved Environment and Natural Resources Management Could Boost Economic Progress
Better management of the environment would not only result in improved quality of life for Filipinos but could also result in higher economic growth, states the Philippines Environment Monitor 2004: Assessing Progress. Full story »»

Performance of Local Governments Key to Service Delivery in East Asia, says World Bank Report
More than ever, the future of East Asian countries depends on the capacity and performance of local and provincial governments, according to a new World Bank report, East Asia Decentralizes–Making Local Government Work. Full story »»

Grant Signed to Fight Corruption in Government Procurement Through Internal Audits
A grant to support Internal Audit Units of government agencies to perform their functions in conformity with international standards for the professional practice of internal auditing was recently signed. Full story »»

Four Filipinos Win Top Honors in World Bank’s Global Competition for Innovative Projects
Four projects proposed by Filipinos, ranging from using ducks to stimulate rice production, to employing pots to catch blue crabs (alimasag), to building awareness on the benefits of the much-dreaded janitor fish, to producing a radio soap opera to increase environmental understanding, were among the 31 recently-acclaimed winners of the World Bank’s Global Development Marketplace. Full story »»