World Bank prepares 3-year country strategy for PH

MANILA, Philippines – The World Bank and the Philippine government will conduct nationwide consultations to craft a new strategy on what and where the multilateral institution will focus its financing assistance in the next 3 years.

In a statement on Monday, October 22, the World Bank said the results of these consultations will be used in mapping the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) that will cover the period July 2013 to 2016.

“This is the first time that various stakeholder groups will be coming together in broader nationwide consultations to discuss the new CPS,” the bank highlighted.

“The series of consultation meetings with the government, the private sector and civil society will take place in Makati City, Naga, Davao and Iloilo,” it added. These will be conducted from October 23 to November 8, 2012. 

This next country strategy will be presented to the World Bank Group Executive Board in July of next year. Motoo Konishi, World Bank Country Director, expressed optimism that the new round of consultations across the country will yield a diverse range of perspectives and recommendations that will inform the next country strategy.
 
“We look forward to hearing from government officials, leaders of civil society and the business sector, as well as representatives from the academe, trade unions and other groups, whose views on the current development challenges facing the country are important in preparing the new Country Partnership Strategy,” Konishi said.

Outline of priorities
 
The strategy, which is prepared every 3 years, outlines the priorities of the World Bank Group’s support for a country. It is made consistent with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP).

The strategy also incorporates the feedback and views of various stakeholders including government partners, civil society and the business sector.  
Konishi stressed that, given the changing development landscape as well as challenges in the global economic environment, a nationwide consultation with various stakeholders is important.  

“While the Philippines has weathered the lingering global financial and economic crisis with its strong economic fundamentals, much needs to be done to support the kind of growth that generates jobs, reduces poverty, and improves the lives of the Filipino people,” he added.

The current country strategy (July 2009-June 2013)extended some $700 million to $1 billion in assistance to the Philippines every year. The strategy focuses on improving governance and achieving growth that works for the poor, in line with the Government’s development objectives. 

The strategy supports efforts to achieve macroeconomic stability, an improved investment climate, better public service delivery for the poor and reduced vulnerabilities to income shocks and natural disasters. – Rappler.com