WB cites Phl for social protection mechanism

MANILA, Philippines - The World Bank has cited the Philippines for its social protection mechanism, disaster resiliency and climate change adaptation.

In an international conference attended by representatives of countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia and the Pacific, World Bank country director for the Philippines Motoo Konishi said the Philippines provides a rich experience for other countries facing similar challenges with disaster and climate risks.

“The Philippines, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has converged its three flagship programs – conditional cash transfer (CCT), community driven development and livelihood support – to make them an effective tool in making households more resilient to disasters,” Konishi said.

The World Bank cited the DSWD’s CCT program, which has become an integral part of the country’s social protection systems, and has helped the national government respond to victims of last year’s Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Yolanda is considered the strongest storm to make landfall in recent history, with over 8,000 casualties and close to 200 severely affected municipalities.

It affected about three million households with almost 13.5 million family members and either damaged or destroyed over a million houses. Total damage and loss had been estimated at almost $13 billion.

The World Bank said loss of jobs, livelihood, houses and productive assets pushed about half a million households into poverty, while the poor became poorer.

“The typhoon was the game changer. It tested the resiliency of our people and stretched government disaster response systems and social protection structures to the limit,” Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman told the conference.

Meanwhile, the World Bank said social protection, disaster risk management and climate change adaptation share the common objectives of reducing risks, lessening the impacts and building resilience to shocks.

There are various tools and instruments available to prepare and respond to disaster and climate risks, such as public works programs and benefit transfers, it said.

“A country is financially resilient when its government and people can manage the financial impact of disaster and climate change risk without compromising sustainable development, fiscal stability or the well-being of families and communities,” the World Bank said.