12 Jan 2018   

World Bank approves $170m to support rural projects in the Philippines

The World Bank has announced an additional $170m in financing to support the Philippines government implement a project to improve rural livelihoods.

In a statement on Friday, the World Bank said that the financing will go into developing essential rural infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, irrigation systems, and drinkable water supplies. It is expected that 400,000 residents would directly benefit from the scheme, with a further 100,000 taking advantage of rural enterprises formed as a result.

The Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), run by the country’s Department of Agriculture, has been active since 2014 and has the aim of reducing poverty. It has so far led to the approval of 232 projects that will deliver 1,700 kilometers of roads and bridges, 100 agricultural facilities and 18 small-scale irrigation plants.

An initial assessment of the project in 2017 showed that real incomes had increased by 10% in farm and fishery households, and that 20% more farmers had adopted climate-smart agricultural policies. Communities also reported an increase in school attendance and faster response to medical emergencies.

Mara K. Warwick, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand, commented:

“The PRDP is one of the most innovative projects of the Philippines. The practice of the Department of Agriculture preparing provincial commodity investment plans together with local governments have empowered local executives to mobilize additional resources and bring in programs of other government agencies. The PRDP helps to consolidate and efficiently plan programs and activities that alleviate poverty in rural areas.”

 

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Image Credit: John Christian Fjellestad