The Role of the World Bank in the Philippines Water Sector

Transcription

1 The Role of the World Bank in the Philippines Water Sector Angel A. Alejandrino Research Fellow National Hydraulic Research Center

2 Methodology limited exposure to WB activities a sampling of stakeholders impressions WB staff appraisal reports reports - published, unpublished assume full responsibility for assessment

3 Outline of Presentation Similar to discussion format Doing the right things? Using the right tools? Employing the right people? Using its access outside the sector? Dealing effectively with reform? Conclusions

4 Doing the Right Things? (1) Reactive - supports sub supports sub-sector sector projects consistent w/ Government s water sector program Should also be proactive - foster IWRM, ensure coordination of all projects across all sectors Focus of WB infrastructure projects - water supply & sanitation, irrigation Should also support other sub-sectors sectors - hydropower ( 50s - 70s), flood control, water data system - initiate sub-sector sector reviews

5 Doing the Right Things? (2) Water supply & sanitation projects for all sectors - Metro Manila (from 60s...), provincial cities (from 70s...), rural areas (from 80s...), urban centers (from 90s...) Nature of assistance - new construction, rehabilitation, improvement, expansion, source development, governance, private sector participation Financial conduits - MWSS (Metro Manila), LWUA & LBP (water districts), DBP (LGUs) Assist GOP on WSS studies - alternative models & strategies to ensure access to safe water & sanitation for all

6 Doing the Right Things? (3) Focus on national irrigation systems - new construction ( 60s - 80s), rehabilitation of existing systems, improvement of O&M strategies, cost recovery, transfer of management responsibility to Irrigation Associations Focus on communal irrigation systems - new construction ( 80s ), rehabilitation of existing systems, improvement of O&M strategies, cost recovery, transfer of management responsibility to Irrigation Associations Should assist NIA in defining its new role - devolution of major responsibilities - national planning of irrigation needs to support national food policy, relationship with LGUs & Irrigation Associations

7 Doing the Right Things? (4) Undertake more policy & economic studies - ensure sustainability of infrastructures ensure sustainability of infrastructures - alternative models & strategies for O&M, rehabilitation, cost recovery Initiate wider consultation with stakeholders on findings of studies - reports usually end up in the book shelves of a few recipients, majority of stakeholders are not usually aware of the results of studies Follow-up recommendations - help GOP identify bottlenecks for implementing recommendations and revise strategies if needed

8 Using the Right Tools? Complementary tools - policy & economic studies, technical assistance, training, software & hardware, funding facilities for LGUs Policy & economic studies - WB should initiate wider consultation, follow-up activities Technical assistance & training - quite few, one-shot affairs, not sustained - WB should support GOP follow-up activities Software & hardware - appears balanced LGUs facility - provides alternative to LWUA lending facility in water supply & sanitation

9 Employing the Right People? Qualified in-house staff at country office & headquarters - routine work Qualified consultants - specialized work WB staff should be more sensitive & more flexible in dealing w/ local problems & practices Need to strengthen coordination among WB organizational divisions - overlaps in responsibilities, sometimes inconsistencies

10 Using Access Outside the Sector? WB consults with National Economic Development Authority, Department of Finance, Government Financial Institutions, Local Government Units, Non-Government Organizations Need institutionalized coordination of external agencies with water sector agencies - ad-hoc arrangements

11 Dealing Effectively with Reform? Responding to Government s policies in the water sector - reforms in policies, governance, institutional framework Need to be pro-active - foster IWRM, ensure coordination of all projects across all sectors Need consultation with water sector stakeholders at all levels and across all sectors of economy - WB initiative Follow-up, monitoring - WB initiative

12 Conclusions Yes, Yes, the Bank is doing the right things, using the right tools, employing the right people, using its access outside the water sector, dealing effectively with reform But, But, there are many opportunities for improvement Among these are - foster IWRM, ensure coordination of all projects across all sectors, consider support to other sub-sectors, sectors, undertake more policy & economic studies