Inaprubahan na ng World Bank ang $500-milyon policy loan para mapalakas ang kapasidad ng Pilipinas sa gitna ng mga kalamidad, gaya ng kasalukuyang COVID-19 pandemic.
“The financing will also support urgent needs created by the COVID-19 crisis,” batay sa isang statement.
Ayon sa World Bank, bahagi ng matagal na nilang suporta sa Pilipinas ang inaprubahang Third Risk Management Development Policy Loan.
Layunin daw nito na palakasin ang mga hakbang ng bansa para makabangon at makapaghanda sa mga sakuna.
Ito na ang ikatlong loan agreement na inaprubaha ng World Bank para sa Pilipinas mula 2012 at 2015.
“The World Bank is committed to supporting efforts to strengthen the Philippines’ capacity to prepare for and respond to natural disasters as well as health and economic shocks like COVID-19,” ani World Bank acting country director Achim Fock.
“Natural disasters and pandemics disproportionately hurt poor families and communities. Enhancing risk management and the capacity to address these challenges can help ensure that the Philippines can sustain progress in poverty reduction.”
Sa ilalim ng bagong loan, inaasahang masusuportahan ang mga panganuhing reporma sa polisiya na kasalukuyang pinaplantsa ng pamahalaan gaya ng:
- Adoption and implementation of a unified disaster rehabilitation and recovery planning framework by the national government and local government units;
- Promotion of integrated hazard and risk analysis in physical planning, and in support of policy development;
- Development of multi-year investment plans for seismic risk reduction and retrofitting of important government buildings; and
- Implementation of an emergency cash transfer program during shocks.
Naglaan ng $14-bilyon ang World Bank bilang “fast-track package” ng developing countries na nangangailangang magpalakas ng sistema dahil sa COVID-19.
“The immediate response includes financing, policy advice, and technical assistance to help countries cope with the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.”
