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ADB Philippines Country Office Opens

Mindanao will be a focus of assistance

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (1 March 2001) - Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Asian Development Bank President Tadao Chino officially opened the Philippines Country Office (PhCO) at ADB headquarters today.

The new office, which has a staff dedicated solely to operations in the Philippines, will strengthen ADB's partnership with the Government, other donor agencies, the private sector and civil society. As ADB President Tadao Chino noted, "The country office will improve the responsiveness of our Philippine operations and strengthen our client orientation by establishing a streamlined and coordinated communication channel."

President Chino said ADB plans to lend the Philippines US$1 billion over the next three years. "A total of 16 projects have been identified and the focus will be on socio-environmental projects and poverty alleviation," he said. The Philippines is one of ADB's active clients, borrowing some US$400 million annually during the last decade. To date, the Philippines has borrowed nearly US$8 billion to finance key development projects. ADB has had its headquarters in the Philippines since it opened in 1966.

Gunter Hecker, Director for PhCO, said the office "will be a one-stop shop for our operations in the Philippines. It will provide a sharper focus on operations, better coordination and effective representation. Policy dialogue with the Government will be elevated and this will improve implementation of our portfolio."

ADB aims to sign a milestone poverty-reduction partnership agreement with the Philippines by the second quarter of 2001. "This is a big step which will be a basis for determining our country strategy for the Philippines," said Mr Hecker. ADB is entering such partnerships with every developing member and has signed agreements with Bangladesh and Mongolia.

ADB's past assistance focused on infrastructure, especially energy, road projects and agriculture - particularly irrigation projects to develop fisheries, forestry and coastal resources. Today's priorities include social infrastructure and in particular the development of the southern Philippines, which has a high incidence of poverty. Assistance for Mindanao will include developing infrastructure and strengthening transmission systems for rural electrification. It will also include providing microfinance and improving forest and coastal resources management to help poor upland and coastal communities. "Three projects dedicated to Mindanao are in the pipeline while several with large Mindanao components have also been identified," said Mr. Hecker.

ADB will also address urban poverty in Metro Manila over the next three years. It will help meet basic needs of the poor through health and education projects. ADB will also help the Government develop the private sector to create jobs and boost economic growth. In addition, it plans to provide technical assistance in policy areas including governance and trade and environment, as well as assist in capacity building at national and local government level.

The Philippines Country Office will have an initial staff of 10, including five Philippine nationals.

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Remarks by President Tadao Chino President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Speech during the Inauguration of ADB Philippines Country Office

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