THE national government estimates that there is at least $3.76 billion worth of projects in the pipeline for funding by the World Bank (WB) from 2008 to 2010 and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2008 and 2009.

Documents from the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) showed there is at least $1.95 billion worth of projects to be funded by the WB in the next three years while there is $1.82 billion worth of projects in the pipeline for financing by the ADB in the next two years.

For the WB’s fiscal year (FY) 2008, the government has proposed for funding four projects worth $294.94 million; for 2009, 10 projects worth $831.44 million; and for FY 2010 and other possible projects there are 21 programs on the pipeline worth at least $819.79 million. The fiscal year of the bank starts on July 1 and ends on June 30.

On the other hand, ADB will be financing at least $1.37 billion worth of projects in 2008 and at least an additional $442.60 million in 2009. There are around 22 projects in the pipeline for 2008 and eight for 2009.

In FY 2008 the WB is programmed to finance the $12.94-million Bicol Power Restoration Project to be implemented by the National Transmission Co. (Transco); $232-million National Roads Improvement and Management Program Phase 2 of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); the additional $40-million financing for the Rural Power Project of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP); and the additional $10-million financing for the Second Agrarian Reform Communities Development Project of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

For the incoming fiscal year, the bank will finance the $250-million Development Policy Loan II of the Department of Finance (DOF); $260-million Private Sector Development Support/Public-Private Partnership (LRT Line 1 South extension) of the Light Rail Transit Authority; the bank’s $63-million Transco Concession for the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.; $50-million National Sector Support for Social Welfare and Development Reform of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); and $50-million Local Government Support to Local Government Units (LGUs) through performance grants/Local Government Support for Municipal Finance of the DOF.

Also included under FY 2009 financing are the $50-million Support for Regional and Local Water Supply of the Local Water Utilities Administration; $58.32-million Participatory Irrigation Development Project of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA); $15.12-million additional financing for the Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Component of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); $18-million additional financing for the Manila Third Sewerage Project of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP); and the $17-million additional funding for the Judicial Reform Support Project of the Supreme Court (SC).

Meanwhile, Neda documents showed that while there is already a pipeline of projects for 2010 and other possible projects, around 11 of the 21 projects in the pipeline have no cost estimates yet. The estimated total of the 10 projects with costings amounts to $819.79 million.

The 10 projects with costings are the $98.1-million National Program Support for Kalahi-CIDSS 2 of the DSWD; $10-million National Program Support for Disaster Preparedness/Environmental Disaster Preparation, Mitigation, Mapping and Rehabilitation of the DENR; $80-million Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Development Program of the DAR; $25-million Judicial Reform Support Project 2 of the SC; and $140-million Cavite-Laguna North-South Highway Project.

Also included in the 10 projects are the $100-million Private Sector Development Support for Rural Power 2 of the DBP; $125-million Maynilad/Manila Water Supply Rehabilitation and Service Expansion of the DBP; $41.69-million Rehabilitation and Management of Critical Watersheds of National Irrigation Systems of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management; $100-million Visayas Rural Development Project; and $100-million LGU Infrastructure Projects.

The 11 other projects without costings, on the other hand, include the National Sector Support for Health Reform Project 2 of the Department of Health; National Program Support for Education 2 of the Department of Education; Metro Manila Urban Transport Integration Project 2 of the DPWH; Treatment and Rehabilitation of Minor and Major Esteros and Tributaries Riverfront Development Program of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission; Fund for Peace and Development of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process; and National Program Support for Integrated Financial Management and Accounting of the Department of Budget and Management.

Also included in the list are the Mindanao Rural Development Project Phase 3 of the DA; Participatory Irrigation Development Project APL 2 of the NIA; Support for Strategic Local Development and Investment Project 2 of the LBP; LGU Urban Water and Sanitation Project APL 3 of the DBP; and Rural Roads project of the DPWH.

Meanwhile, of the 22 ADB projects in the pipeline for 2008, there is one project that does not have any costing; and out of the eight projects for 2009, two do not have any costings as of April 4, 2008.

For 2008, the project that does not have any costing is the Poverty Mapping in Mindanao project through the Community Based Monitoring System of the Mindanao Economic Development Council and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In 2009, the projects that still have no cost estimates are the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Visayas and Mindanao project of the DILG and the Road Sector Improvement project of the DPWH. 

ADB projects for 2008 with costings include the $40-million Metro Manila Urban Services for the Poor Investment Program of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council; $50-million Health Care Investment Facility of the DBP; $85-million Agrarian Reform Communities Project II; $300-million Local Government Financing and Budget Reform Program of the DOF; $300-million Philippine Justice Reform Program of the SC; $250-million Development Policy Support Project II of the DOF; $250-million Standby Facility to Support Transco Privatization; $60-million Rural Electric Cooperatives Development Project of the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Education Association; and $30-million Building Virtual Power Station through Energy Efficiency in the Philippines of the DOE.

DOMESTIC manufacturers will be seeking an official scrutiny of the books of accounts of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), independent power producers (IPPs) and other power industry players by the Commission on Audit (COA) to determine who among them are really making huge profits and are to be blamed for high power costs.

THE national government estimates that there is at least $3.76 billion worth of projects in the pipeline for funding by the World Bank (WB) from 2008 to 2010 and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2008 and 2009.

THE Philippines has underscored the crucial role that can be played by biotechnology in resolving the food-security problem confronting nations all over the world during the food summit organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Italy.

BELIEVING that the bill seeking the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) would not be approved before Congress adjourns sine die on June 13, a militant legislator proposed a compromise that before going on break, Congress should reaffirm the Department of Agrarian Reform’s budget for 2008.

THE board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has overturned its previous policy giving full blanket authority to the secretary of labor to approve the renewal of license of manpower agencies sending Filipino labor abroad.

THE Delegation of the European Commission in the Philippines (EC) has urged Philippine exporters to its member-states to register chemical substances contained in their products to be able to qualify for the new rules adopted on June 1.

SEMIRARA ISLAND, Antique—Amid opposition and issues raised by environmental groups against the use of coal to fuel power generating facilities, the Department of Energy admits that removing coal-fired power plants in the generation mix could result in power shortages.