The World Bank Group (WBG) in partnership with the Ateneo de Naga University Fr James O’ Brien Library-Knowledge Development Center (AdNU JOBL-KDC) and the Center for Local Governance (CLG) conducted the Regional Dialogue on Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) – Bicol at the Bro Richard Michael S. Fernando, SJ Hall on 25 November  2014.
The Dialogue was done through a Video Conference from the World Bank Country Office at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City Philippines.

The activity began with the warm welcome of Ramon Nonito C. Ayo, University Treasurer, to the participants coming from the provinces of Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon.

The Master of Ceremonies Dr. Malu C. Barcillano, Director of the CLG, acknowledged the participants and presented the following Objectives of this Country Partnership Strategy:
1. To create awareness among partners and the general public on the Country Partnership Strategy or CPS;
2. To discuss possible partnerships in the implementation of the CPS (interest to work within the Bank or pursue complimentary/ parallel efforts that will deliver the desired outcomes);
3. To promote informed debate and discussion around critical development choices and trace-offs around the reforms and programs related to the 5 engagement areas in the CPS such as:

•  Transparent & accountable government;
•  Empowerment of the poor & vulnerable;
•  Rapid, inclusive & sustained economic growth;
•  Climate change, environment, disaster risk management;
•  Peace, institution building, and social & economic opportunity.

4. To contribute to the effective implementation of the CPS in areas where there are opportunities for strategic program or project communication.

After which she turned-over the session WB Manila for Motoo Konishi’s Message. Mr. Konishi is the Country Director of WB. In his message, he highlighted the recent economic milestones of the Philippines and cited the role WBG in the continuous development of the Philippines.

Moreover, Maribelle S. Zonaga, the Senior Country Operations Officer of the WB, presented and discussed the Country Partnership Strategy themes as Making Growth Work for the Poor. She discussed the Inclusive Growth on Poverty Reduction and Shared Prosperity covering the following Engagement Areas and its outcome on:

• Transparent and accountable Government;
• Empowerment of the poor & vulnerable;
• Rapid, inclusive & sustained economic growth;
• Climate change, environment, disaster risk management; and
• Peace, Institution building, and social & economic opportunity.

Subsequent to this the session was turned-over to Federico Jose Lagdameo, Chairperson of the Philosophy Department of the College of Arts and Sciences of the AdNU, as the Moderator for the Panel Presentations and discussion from the Government, Business Sector, and the Academe.

Reuel Oliver, the Executive Director of the Naga City Investment Board and the Acting Manager of the Public Employment Service Office, served as government representative. In his discussion, he mentioned that Naga City is the 3rd Most Competitive City in terms of Delivery of Basic Services such as shelter, health & sanitation, and employment in response to poverty alleviation measures to the targeted families; and in Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing hub in the Country thus providing venue for the employment for the un-skilled and semi-skilled individuals as well as to those professionals who are not yet practicing their professions. The Industrial activity to address issues was also raised by Mr. Oliver.

Magno Edilberto Conag III, Chief Executive Officer of the Nueva Caceres Technology Solutions, Incorporated and former Executive Vice President at Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), focused his presentation on the Agriculture and replication of small chamber of commerce in the Metro Naga area by the MNCCI. He emphasized the challenges being faced by the agriculture sectors primarily on how to access the funding for their crops and produce. Likewise, the creation of chamber(s) in the locality is an initiative to reach out and further their level of awareness in terms of information technology, where they could learn innovative approaches in terms of agriculture. He also imparted the risks which is the sustainability of the funding and leadership in continuing these schemes. The possible collaboration between WBG and the MNCCI to support the small chambers was explored by the Mr. Conag so that the opportunities will be properly addressed.

From the Academe, Rolan Jon Bulao, Chairperson of the Social Sciences Department of the College of Arts and Sciences of the Ateneo de Naga University presented the Critical Reforms, Programs and Projects on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture Modernization with support services, Disaster Preparedness, and the risks in achieving and how to manage it. On transportation and infrastructure, he expounded the Upgrading of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) and the Upgrading and Development of the Naga Airport. While in the Agriculture Modernization with support services, the Land Reform, Crop Insurance and Research-based farming were among his recommendations. As for the Disaster Preparedness proposed 2 points:

1. To build evacuation centers that are different and independent from public school buildings/classrooms; and
2. To intensify the permanent settlement ban in volcano permanent danger zones and in coastal areas identified to be prone to storm surges.
In addition, Mr. Bulao purported how the WBG and or the Academe can contribute in realizing the milestones.

Following the panel discussion was the open forum led by Mr. Lagdameo. The concerns relative to corruption and decentralization, transportation, implementation of local projects, renewal of energy, health and sanitation services delivery, disaster preparedness, agriculture and the availability of the WB projects were raised by the participants to the to the Panelists as well as to the WBG, which properly responded.

The participants represented the Regional offices of Department of Education, Department of Health, Philippine National Police, PhilHealth; Provincial Office of Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Provincial Government of Sorsogon; City Government of Sorsogon, Tabaco and Naga; the academic institutions like Ateneo de Naga University, Bicol University, Catanduanes State University, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Naga College Foundation, Partido State University and University of Nueva Caceres; for the Civil Society Organizations were Kolping Philippines, Incorporated, Simon of Cyrene Children’s Rehabilitation and Development Foundation, Incorporated, Caceres Social Action Foundation, Incorporated, Real Estate Brokers Association of the Philippines, Incorporated, Coalition for Bicol Development; the People’s Organizations from Naga City and Pili Camarines Sur; the Naga City Youth Officials, from the Non-Government Organizations were Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, Bicol Consortium for Development Initiative; and from the Metro Naga Development Council, Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative II; and the Media practitioners from Radio Mindanao Network-DWNX and Sorsogon City.

To conclude the dialogue, Chiyo Kanda, Manager — Portfolio and Operations of the WB, gave her closing message.

The video streaming was made possible through the effort and assistance of the Ateneo de Naga University Network Operations Computer Services through Zero M. Magallon and Arvin B. Corpuz of the JOBL.

credits:
Wide shot and group picture by Dr Digna P. Alba
Some data and notes c/o Federico Jose Lagdameo and Rolan Bulao

Written by Benita Michele C. Verdadero