| Grant Profile: |
| Project Title: |
Mindanao Reconstruction and Development Fund (MRDF) - Bank-executed Portion |
| PCF/LICUS/SPF: |
PCF |
Status: |
Open |
| File Number: |
317
| Region: |
EAP |
| Sector: |
Multisector |
Country: |
Philippines |
| FY approved: |
2006 |
Grant Theme : |
Social dev/gender/inclusion |
| Keyword(s): |
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Approved Amount: |
$120,000.00 |
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Grant Recipient:
World Bank-executed |
Grant Purpose:
The grant was part of the Mindanao Reconstruction and Development Fund which focused on post-conflict reconstruction and development activities for conflict-affected communities in the Philippines.The purpose of the grant was to undertake monitoring and evaluation of the activities financed under the Recipient-executed Portion of the grant.
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Grant Activities:
The grant activities included:
(1) Supporting external monitoring and evaluation of the activities financed under the Recipient-executed portion of the Mindanao Reconstruction and Development Fund
(2) Supporting participatory community monitoring of the activities financed under the Recipient-executed portion of the Mindanao Reconstruction and Development Fund
(3) Supporting dissemination of monitoring and evaluation reports through workshops
to local stakeholders.
The grant financed consultants' services and workshops required for the aforementioned activities.
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News:
Recurring armed conflict between government authorities and rebel groups in Mindanao in the Philippines has for decades forced people to flee their homes. The crisis has resulted in around two million displaced people. Apart from the suffering of displaced people, the population in Mindanao remains poor and with limited access to basic social services.
To help conflict-ridden communities rebuild their lives, the Government and the World Bank have initiated the Mindanao Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP) in 2003. Yielding a number of encouraging results through support to community-based projects and capacity-building activities, the program has since its initiation attracted other donors.
The RDP has combined financial, technical and capacity-building assistance to address the needs of conflict-affected communities. It has focused on improving the delivery of basic social services, rebuilding infrastructure, and providing livelihood and employment opportunities for communities. Special attention has been paid to vulnerable groups – indigenous people, women, youth, and children affected by the conflict.
The project emphasizes the importance of building the capacity of all stakeholders in the country – the government, civil society organizations, and local populations. The objective is to assist them in formulating municipal and regional development plans in a collaborative manner. As a result of the assistance, stakeholders should be better equipped to implement effectively, and manage available monetary, material and human resources.
Local NGOs have supported communities in managing small projects. These projects have resulted in quick impact at the community level and people have been provided with opportunities to “learn while doing”. Project activities have included: inter alia, peace education and talks, literacy trainings, livelihood skills trainings, improving access to quality education, vocational training for youth, assistance to displaced women, agricultural and farming activities, development of potable water systems, rehabilitation of schools, and festivals for sharing best practices. At the end of 2008 50 projects had been completed. Three projects remained unfinished due to renewed outbreaks of conflict in some villages.
An assessment of the community-based projects shows that these initiatives have helped identify potential partners and effective models for development and peace for subsequent programs. Reports by people implementing these projects suggest that community activities have had some impact on peace building in some communities. The level of impact, however, varies across different parts of Mindanao.
The RDP has been instrumental in providing basic services for internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the local levels. Under the RDP government staff has been recruited and trained, target communities have been identified for implementation of IDP assistance activities. Community consultations have presented a major success in the process.
In addition to community level projects, the RDP has built government capacity at the central, regional and municipal levels through training workshops. Workshops include trainings in program management, leadership, procurement and financial management, office and human resource management, problem-solving and decision-making, monitoring and evaluation, conflict sensitivity, and promotion of peace.
An assessment of Mindanao’s economic and socio-political situation suggests that the Reconstruction and Development Program carries the capacity to contribute significantly to the peace process in the island and expand Mindanao’s development potential.
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