The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved funding support for two government projects aimed at ensuring safer and more resilient schools, as well as strengthening economic recovery in the Philippines.
The Board has sanctioned EUR 466.07 million (US$500 million) for the Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools Project. This initiative is designed to aid the resilient recovery of disaster-affected schools in selected regions across the country. The term "resilient recovery" refers to enhancing schools' capacities to continue functioning after being impacted by natural disasters.
“Education is a key component of human capital. By improving the learning environment and making schools safer, children are more likely to attend classes, perform better academically, and complete their education,” said Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
This project will finance various interventions including repair, rehabilitation, retrofitting, reconstruction, and site improvements of schools severely affected by earthquakes and tropical cyclones in recent years. These measures aim to improve physical learning environments for over 700,000 students, with girls comprising half of the beneficiaries.
“By strengthening the resilience of educational facilities, disruptions to learning caused by natural disasters can be minimized, ensuring that children can continue their education with fewer interruptions,” said Fernando Ramirez Cortes, World Bank Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist.
Priority will be given to areas where school infrastructure damage and risk are most significant. These include the Cordillera Administrative Region, Caraga, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Davao Region, and Soccsksargen.
Additionally, the project will support enhancements to the Department of Education's (DepEd) operations and maintenance manual and tools. This aims to ensure that both central and local education authorities have up-to-date protocols for managing restored school infrastructure effectively following disasters.
In another move to bolster economic recovery in the Philippines, the World Bank approved EUR 699.105 million (US$750 million) under the Philippines Second Sustainable Recovery Development Policy Loan. This loan is intended to support reforms that increase investment in public service sectors; attract private investment in public infrastructure—particularly domestic shipping; promote renewable energy; protect the environment; and improve climate resilience.
“The Philippine economy remains resilient in the face of ongoing global and domestic challenges. The reforms supported by this lending program if implemented will encourage private investment innovation sustained growth,” said Ralph Van Doorn World Bank Senior Economist “Through these reforms Philippines can transition faster greener economy achieve its environmental climate objectives.”
Given its archipelagic nature marine transport is crucial for trade connecting numerous islands destinations enabling efficient movement goods products Van Doorn said attracting more local foreign investments domestic shipping boost country's competitiveness
The lending program also supports reforms aiming at enhancing plastic waste reduction recovery recycling promoting green transportation encouraging production consumption environment-friendly goods services through public procurement