IMPACTSTORIES 2 ADB IMPACT: STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINES Ian Gill

About this Publication Contents 3 Unlikely Heroes Over the last 4 decades, the Asian A poor, disaster-prone province in the Philippines topped rankings in Development Bank (ADB) has been national secondary school exams, thanks to innovative curriculum and helping the Philippine Government alternative approaches under an ADB loan project. achieve its vision of a country free of poverty. In this publication, we tell the 6 Cleaning Up the Philippines’ Greenest City A grant project helped City deal with the air and noise stories of the people and places this pollution caused by its popular tricycles. partnership has helped. 8 Bigger and Better This publication was written and The ADB-funded Davao International Airport is helping unlock the vast photographed by Ma. Rita R. Festin, economic potentials of . ADB national officer, and produced by ADB’s Philippines Country Office. 10 Caring for the Children of the Poor An early childhood development project is making sure that children from poor families grow up to be bright and healthy adults. 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550 Metro , Philippines 14 A Greener Way of Turning Trash Into Treasures Fax +63 2 683 1030 A new “green” waste collection center is helping improve the working [email protected] conditions of waste pickers and recyclers in Manila’s Smokey Mountain. www.adb.org/Philippines 16 Vendors Learn and Earn More Together In this publication, “$” refers to US New resource centers provided women vendors with both new sources dollars. of income and hope. 18 Using the Sun to Provide Light at Night (Cover photograph taken by Joe Cantrell) A rehabilitated solar-powered battery system lights up a poor and remote village in .

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TOPPERS: The students and faculty of National High School in Leyte

the feat even more meaningful to these Unlikely Heroes communities. Southern Leyte is one of the provinces where the ADB’s Secondary Education A poor, disaster-prone province in the Philippines topped Development and Improvement rankings in national secondary school exams, thanks to Project (SEDIP) began through a $53 million loan approved in 1998. The innovative curriculum and alternative approaches under an project benefits more than 1 million ADB loan project high school students in 26 of the Philippines’ very poor provinces where TOMAS OPPUS, LEYTE enrollment, completion, and student performance levels were low. The t is no accident that Southern project aimed to improve the quality Leyte, an impoverished region in of secondary education and access to Ithe eastern Philippines, topped the such education in those provinces. standings in the recent National Under the project, school heads Achievement Test (NAT). Three of South- were trained in planning and man- ern Leyte’s national high schools in fifth- agement, and teachers were trained class municipalities placed first, second, in subject knowledge and teaching and third in the results for first-year high skills. The project provided textbooks school students. In fact, eight of Southern for students in core subjects, such Leyte’s national high schools were in the as math, science, English, and Filipi- top 30 for the country. That the test came no. Some students unable to attend just a week after a disastrous landslide school regularly have been provided buried a local elementary school made with an alternative secondary edu- 4 ADB IMPACT: STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINES

“SEDIP played a very significant role in influencing in influencing learning. It is also the learning. It is the stimulus that developed the schools... stimulus which developed the schools, with all the inputs, learning packages, It revitalized learning in the classroom” and the in-service training. It revitalized learning in the classroom. The learning cation program. Innovative ways to Overwhelmed that the school heads gathered from keep the students in school have been When the national test results came the training significantly developed developed; some schools even have out, Southern Leyte schools division their competence to lead the schools,” their own school feeding programs superintendent Dr. Violeta Alocilja Dr. Alocilja said. to discourage children from dropping literally “jumped for joy,” even at the “I am glad because, with SEDIP, out due to hunger. The SEDIP has also risk of suffering the fourth stroke of all teachers are trained. And SEDIP promoted the decentralization of sec- her life. After all, there was a time insisted that the first ones who were ondary education management by when Southern Leyte ranked second trained be the same teachers to be building up the capacity of divisions, to the last in the eastern part of the trained for Phase 2. There’s a very regions, and central offices to take on Philippines’ central Visayas region. good tracking mechanism that they new responsibilities. But within a year of her appointment have installed for in-service training,” ADB’s contribution in the “soft” to Southern Leyte, the area was able she said. Teachers are, after all, the key areas (capacity development, school to zoom up the list of SEDIP schools, in the learning process, she noted. development, alternative school pro- rangking 3rd in the whole region. Rizal National High School teacher- grams, and teaching-learning materi- Last year, it ranked first among SEDIP in-charge Margarita Badeo said she als) of education was complemented divisions in eastern Visayas. initially thought it was a school in through aid from the Japan Bank for “SEDIP played a very significant role Metro Manila with the same name International Cooperation,p, which sup- p that had topped the exam rankings.ra ported the project throuthroughgh infrastruinfrastruc-c- “I was shocked.shocked. I diddid not expect ture development ((newnew schools and it.it. I reallyreally have mixed emotions,”emo new classrooms for existinexistingg schools) Badeo said. She feltfelt happyhapp with anandd scschoolhool equipment.equipment. her students’ achievement,achievemen she said,said, butbut overwhelmedoverwhelmed by the responsibility ofof keepingkeeping upu with people’speople’s highhigh expectations.expectation

NoNo Small FeatFeat TheseThese accomplishmentsaccomplishments are no smallsmall featfeat consideringconsidering how difficultdifficult it is forfor studentsstude to eveneven reachreach thethe school premises. Badeo’sB smallsmall school is located inin a remote hill,h and its 194 studentsstuden wear rubberrubber flip-flopsfli to walk to school, goinggoing throughthroug mud andand over a rugged uphilluphill terrain.terrain Some 5

NO SMALL FEAT: Marayag National High School, despite ACHIEVERS: Students of 3rd its remote location, ranked placer Pintuyan National High second in the national exams School recount how they achieved their good grades

Teachers and students were well prepared for the that we are not affected by landslides. The neighboring towns like Liloan, San exam, pumping in months of intense review and Ricardo, and San Francisco—those extra school hours that spilled over into the weekends three are really prone. We are very thankful to God that we are spared,” of them walk an hour or 5 kilometers they were given mock tests based on says town councilor Eusebio Tiempo. each day just to get to class. The previous NATs. students change into shoes only Creative Solutions inside the classroom. Most of the Well-Prepared With an average ratio of 40 to 50 students are children of poor farmers When the landslide occurred, then- students in a class in this province, and are malnourished, which poses Education Secretary Fe Hidalgo gave teachers manage the students better, an additional problem to the quality the district the option to cancel the unlike their counterparts in many other of learning. The school maximizes exams. The teachers decided to go areas where class size is sometimes poor students’ attendance through a through with the exams, focused as double that number. daily feeding program: parents take the students were. Some learning challenges require turns bringing simple lunches for the “It is not, however, the review itself particularly creative solutions. In the entire school. This way, students do that enables students to perform well project’s High School Innovation Fund not have to leave school at lunchtime, on exams but the process of making (HSIF), innovative interventions are or worse, drop out due to hunger. connections and seeing relationships used to help students with low reading In San Francisco town’s Marayag between and among lessons,” said comprehension or for other activities National High School, the school of Lolita Andrada, BSE Director and to improve student performance. 40 students that placed second in the SEDIP project manager. They are identified and grouped national rankings, students do not Students started their review into one class for reading sessions wear shoes either. Here, however, it is months in advance. “By doing this where they are given exercises such because shoes make the students’ feet preparation, we can improve more, as silent reading, shown films, and swell when they are walking through maintain, and move higher,” says encouraged to understand the story. sand to reach the beachfront school. Rico Amper, principal of third-place From frustration, they progress to Again, access is a problem here: the Pintuyan National High School, which independence. school is just meters from the sea, sits on a hill in the heart of Pintuyan In the project’s Secondary Schooling and waves can get very high during town, overlooking the sea. Alternatives component, students the Philippines’ powerful typhoon The roads leading to Amper’s school at risk of drop ping out are assisted. season. The school, nonetheless, has are being cemented, but several Some principals and teachers provide many best practices both in arts and sections bear landslide warnings. scholarships out of their own pockets. academics. In fact, the Mines and Geosciences Wendy Duncan, ADB Senior Project “We are very happy that we got Bureau has warned that the back of Management Specialist, commended second place because our hard work in the 30-year-old school, where a creek the understudy program for principals the daily reviews did not go to waste,” is located, is vulnerable to landslides. in Southern Leyte, which means there says second-year high school student Residents trust their safety to fate, and are no gaps in the school hierarchy Daryl Aure, one of the students who so far they have been lucky indeed. at any time, such as during training took the NAT. “Here in Pintuyan, we are happy programs. I Teachers and students were well prepared for the exam, pumping in With an average ratio of 40 to 50 students in a class months of intense review and extra school hours that spilled into the in this province, teachers manage the students better, weekends. Toward the exam date, unlike their counterparts in many other areas 6 ADB IMPACT: STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINES

Cleaning Up the Philippines’ Greenest City

A grant project helped Puerto Princesa City deal with the air and noise pollution caused by its popular tricycles

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY tourism area, hence the need to have a rear cargo compartment, whose his city—a popular tourist design was inspired by the vintage cars destination in the Philippines— of the 1950s. Tprides itself as being the cleanest and greenest in the country. But Noisy, Heavy Polluters it used to be one of the noisiest. These large sidecars, however, are Much like other bustling cities around relatively unstable and, coupled with Asia, Puerto Princesa, the capital of old and poorly maintained engines, Palawan, had its share of air and noise make for tricycles that are generally pollution problems, caused mainly by not roadworthy. They, therefore, take the poorly maintained two- and three- more effort to operate, and make more wheeler passenger tricycles plying its noise than their counterparts, reaching streets. In this city, they are the “king 90–97 decibels. Studies suggest that of the road,” unlike in other Philippine prolonged exposure to noise levels at or cities where the jeepney is king. above 80 decibels can cause deafness. About a third of the total vehicle They are also heavy polluters. About population in the country consists of 94% of these motorcycles and tricycles tricycles, which are used in both urban run on poorly maintained two-stroke and rural areas. Tricycles are a popular engines that emit fine particulate mode of public transportation among matter, which poses a danger to public commuters due to their high accessibility, health. Due to lack of knowledge availability, affordability, and convenience. and the perception that it increases Being much less expensive than other fuel efficiency, lubricants are used vehicles, they play an important role in the excessively. Gasoline is also adulterated country’s overall transportation system. with kerosene because of high fuel In Puerto Princesa, tricycles are prices. Since two-stroke engines have fast becoming tourist icons on their low fuel efficiency, the incompletely own, as the tuk-tuks are in Thailand. burned gasoline and lubricant are As of 2005, there were about 4,000 emitted into the air as small oil tricycles in the main town. Each tricycle droplets, which increase visible smoke measures 1.6 meters (m) in height, and particulate emissions. 1.8m in width, and almost 2m in “Most people do not realize that length. This unique, larger-than-usual there are so many pollutants in the design is intended to transport not just black smoke from tricycles. The very people, but cargo, too. They are fitted tiny particulates in the smoke absorb with wide windshields and roomy sulfur dioxide and other volatile organic sidecars, with shelves at both the front chemicals that go into your respiratory and back sections to load agricultural system. Day by day, those pollutants produce. The city is an agricultural and accumulate in your lungs and, finally, 7

KING OF THE ROAD: Noise and pollution aside, tricycles are in high demand in Puerto Princesa City

And this is through our efforts to prevent or minimize air pollution. That is why it is very important that ADB supported us with this fund to help us in our desire to become part “It’s an embarrassment to be promoting the city of the solution and not the problem in as environment-friendly when there was so much the preservation of our environment,” air pollution” Mayor Hagedorn said during the project launch. damage your health. It might cause Tricycle-driving is a popular means From February to July 2006, a total asthma; it might cause respiratory of earning a living in the Philippines of 481 tricycle drivers and operators (or disorders,” says Yue-Lang Feng, an ADB since it does not require much skill. 12% of the total 4,000, compared to Principal Environment Specialist. The ADB study also found that the the target of 10%) received preventive In 2003, faced with bad traffic, road network in Puerto Princesa is mostly maintenance trainings, briefings on the pollution, and over 3,000 tricycles, City made up of narrow streets. Thus, the Clean Air Act emission standards, and Mayor Edward Hagedorn implemented demand for tricycles is only expected to lectures on the differences between a scheme that allowed tricycles to ply increase, despite the fact that they clog two- and four-stroke engines. the city streets only on alternating the city streets, slow down traffic, and Twenty-five tricycle drivers were days, thus effectively cutting by half are more accident-prone than cars. also selected to undertake 3-month the number of tricycles on the streets Thus, in 2005, the Air and Noise intensive vocational courses on engine on any given day. Pollution Reduction Strategies Project, mechanics—a first in Palawan—that funded by a $240,000 grant from allows them to practice as certified Solutions Needed ADB’s Poverty and Environment engine mechanics. “It’s an embarrassment to be Program, was launched to help reduce About half of the grant was used promoting the city as environment- pollution from tricycles and to provide to establish a Tricycle Multi-Purpose friendly when there was so much air more “teeth” to the enforcement of Fund, which provided financing for pollution. So we had to make a very air pollution laws. The project tackled operators and drivers to purchase drastic move,” said Mayor Hagedorn. the environmental and underlying new units, convert their engines into But it was not enough. Other social issues surrounding tricycle use, more efficient technologies, or receive problems—such as poor tricycle and lessons learned from the project training for other means of livelihood. maintenance and the need to provide will serve as the basis in formulating As of project completion in September drivers with alternative livelihoods in and replicating strategies in other 2007, about 109 two-stroke tricycles a city with a 14% unemployment Philippine cities that have similar air have been retrofitted, and 73 two- rate—remained. pollution problems. stroke units have been replaced with A 2003 survey conducted by ADB new four-stroke engines. found that 70% of the drivers do not Helping Preserve the Environment Puerto Princesa City now enjoys properly maintain their tricycles. Most “It’s not only the preservation of our better air quality and less noise, fitting tricycle drivers are also low-income forest and marine resources that is our into the mayor’s plan to position his earners, taking home between P100 goal here in Puerto Princesa, but also for city among the top tourist destinations and P150, or less than $3, each day. us to help in reducing global warming. in the country. I 8 ADB IMPACT: STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINES Bigger

and Better

The $128 million, state-of-the-art airport is helping unlock the vast economic potentials of Mindanao

DAVAO CITY and Asian Spirit. Davao’s spacious and modern terminal building can easily eing an archipelago, the accommodate up to twice its designed Philippines relies heavily on air minimum passenger capacity of Btransportation for economic 1 million passengers per year. “These basic and social connectivity, and figures illustrate the direct impact of the Davao’s $128-million, state-of-the-art new airport on Davao’s economy, with international airport has played a crucial bright prospects to grow further,” says role in bringing more passengers and ADB transport specialist Shihiru Date. cargo in and out of the gateway to southern Philippines. Gateway to BIMP-EAGA With ADB financing, the Davao airport The old airport terminal did not fulfill its was upgraded and expanded to provide strategic role as a gateway to the BIMP- reliable, safe, all-weather air services that EAGA region. The terminal had exceeded meet international standards. The airport its passenger capacity, and the instrument improves Davao’s access to nearby mar- landing system could not support the kets and the overall economic prospects precision approaches and landings that of southern Philippines, and could be international flights require. As a result, considered a vital intermodal transport international passengers bound for link for this large geographical area. The Davao had to transit through Manila. A airport also supports Davao’s strategic new airport was clearly needed. role in the Brunei Darussalam–Indone- Today, the airport sees an average of sia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN 4,200 passengers per day, the bulk of Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). them during the early morning hours Domestic passenger volume has when most flights operate. Even during steadily grown from less than a million these peak hours, the airport can easily in 2003, during the old terminal’s last handle a steady inflow of passengers, year in operation, to 1.4 million last year, with its 14 domestic and 14 international for an average annual growth rate of check-in counters almost double the 10%. Last year’s international passenger number available at the old terminal. volume grew an impressive 70%, with The check-in counters are equipped with more than 60,000 passengers in 20 electronic scales and conveyor belts for weekly international flights. There are baggage, and the airport’s baggage- 280 domestic flights weekly, in and out, handling system is also computerized. on four different airlines—Philippine The upgrades were funded through Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, a $41 million loan from ADB, approved 9

LARGER CAPACITY: The new airport handles 280 domestic and 20 international flights weekly

GATEWAY: An average of 4,200 passengers go through the airport daily

The airport supports Davao’s strategic role as a Modern Facilities In addition to the main terminal building, gateway to the BIMP-EAGA region, and improves the there are also new support buildings for overall economic prospects of southern Philippines administration; central plant; airfield maintenance; and fire, crash, and rescue services. The airport has a 688-slot car in 1994, while the European Investment landings per hour, depending on the size parking area, with four slots for shuttle Bank provided an additional $23 million of the aircraft, and the airport has the buses, as well as a 3-megawatt standby loan. The original cost of the project was equivalent of 8 gate holding areas for power generator. The cargo terminal $105 million, but as a result of foreign those aircrafts. building covers almost 5,580 square exchange escalation costs, the Asian “The Air Traffic Control tower is meters and can handle up to 84,600 financial crisis, and rising land acquisition considered the most advanced here in the tons of cargo a year. Air-cargo volume costs, the total cost of the project Philippines, even more sophisticated than has grown from 39,000 tons at a growth reached $128 million. The Francisco NAIA’s,” boasts assistant airport manager rate of 2% per annum. Bangoy International Airport opened in Joey Saddam, who oversaw the airport’s Energy management controls for December 2003 and has been operating construction. the centralized air-conditioning system, smoothly since. The 209-hectare project The Project also covered the cons- power, and lights are now located in took 4 years for both air-side and land- truction of a new terminal building, just one room. An access control system side civil works to complete. which was inspired by Malay architecture. ensures that only authorized personnel The new terminal, which is four times may access sensitive areas of the airport, International Standards the size of the previous terminal, came and security cards ensure that the system The airport upgrades included extending at a cost of P1 billion (about $20 million records who accesses which parts of the the runway by 500 meters, achieving a when the project was ongoing). The airport. A closed-circuit television system usable take-off length of 3,000 meters terminal is computerized, more secure, complements the terminal’s security. that can accommodate the wide-body and has approximately 9,000 square To maintain these modern facilities, aircraft of major airlines. The installation meters of commercial space available, a the airport has increased its terminal of a new landing instrumentation system significant increase on the space available fees from P40 to P200 (from about for two runways upgraded the airport’s in the previous airport. It has four new $1 to $5) per passenger, bringing fees compliance with standards set by the boarding bridges for passengers, as closer in line with those at the Manila International Civil Aviation Organization well as a flight information system. and Cebu airports. Operating Category for its Precision Baggage is screened three times before a Davao’s new international airport helps Approach Category 1. This puts Davao’s passenger boards the plane. “It’s better unlock the vast economic potentials airport at par with Manila’s Ninoy Aquino that you know that all the baggage has of the Southern Philippines, where International Airport (NAIA) in terms of been thoroughly checked… for your improved transportation access can dra- the runway’s technical specifications. The own protection,” said airport manager ma tically improve economic growth and runway can accommodate 8–10 aircraft Frederick San Felix. development. I 10 ADB IMPACT: STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINES

SECOND MOTHER: Lola Salud operates a volunteer day-care center for children of poor working mothers

Childhood Development (ECD) project, Caring for the who were honored for their exemplary performance and dedication to work. While not rich, these field workers Children of the Poor practically volunteer to care for other people’s children. For example, 62-year-old Rosalinda Densing, or Tita Daya as she is fondly An early childhood development project is making sure that called, receives P1,000 (about $25) children from poor families grow up bright and healthy per month as a day-care worker in Flores in Catmon, looking after up to 80 children daily, ranging CEBU CITY from 3 to 5 years of age. When asked if that was enough, she smiled and ifty-three-year-old Saludita Buton, answered, “I just let it be enough.” or Lola Salud, has 10 children At the awarding ceremony in 2006, Fand 8 grandchildren of her DSWD Undersecretary Luwalhati own. But, over the last 5 years, Pablo noted that these workers were she has spent her days babysitting up recognized for their responsiveness, to five other toddlers and operating a innovativeness, effectiveness, and volunteer day-care center for children sustainability in implementing their of poor working mothers. She does respective programs and by how well this in a space less than 20 square they utilized their facilities. meters in area adjacent to her home in “Both national and regional officials Barangay Catadman in Catmon, Cebu. focused on identifying and selecting the Lola Salud is one of the field workers most inspiring efforts among all the ECD of the Department of Social Welfare project achievements,” she stressed. and Development’s (DSWD) Early DSWD was the lead agency implemen- 11

BEST SERVICE PROVIDER: Erlinda Lagunsad (center, in white) gets ready for a feeding session in Barangay Mateo, Kidapawan City

ting the ECD project, funded by ADB and the World Bank, with the Philippines’ Department of Health and Department of Education. Since 2000, about 3 million children have been served by the project through its various service delivery packages, such as for rural health midwives, day-care workers, and child development workers. It reached 1,522 barangays (towns) in 132 municipalities in 13 provinces where half of the Philippines’ most disadvantaged and vulnerable children are located. The project also constructed or renovated barangay health stations, day-care centers, and mothers’ homes. condition marked by severely stunted children,” she said, and added that she It upgraded existing facilities and physical and mental growth. will do so until her last breath. significantly improved services. From Tita Daya, who has been a day-care dilapidated huts with rainwater from Second Mothers worker for 10 years, said, “I just want to the roofs dripping on the children, To care for the children under her help, no matter what the honorarium.” the centers are now made of concrete wing, Lola Salud sings and dances She herself has eight children, aged and with sturdy roofs. Almost 250 for them, reads books, gives them 22 to 39, and 13 grandchildren, one barangay health stations and 933 day- milk to drink—practically everything of whom goes to her afternoon day- care centers were constructed, while that any mother should do. She does care session, where children learn arts almost 500 barangay health stations not get paid or receive any salary; and crafts, are taught good manners and almost 1,000 day-care centers instead, she just receives fish, or rice, and proper behavior, and engage in were either repaired or upgraded. or small monetary donations. “She outdoor and indoor activities. Maricel Dicdiquin, 25, conducted The early years are considered as most critical to the fieldwork as a mobile child development child’s development, when the physical, mental, social, worker up to her ninth month of pregnancy, sometimes walking for and emotional facilities of the child are being formed hours just to reach parents in remote Balindog, Kidapawan City and teach The project provided integrated just likes to take care of children,” them about proper child care. Because services in health, nutrition, Catmon Mayor Estrella Aribal said of the “exercise” she got from hours psychosocial development, and early proudly of Lola Salud, who was a of walking to reach her target families, education for disadvantaged children long-time barangay health worker. she said she did not have a hard time up to 6 years old. These early years Lola Salud’s day-care home, which giving birth. “There’s no tricycle there are considered as the most critical to was constructed with funding from and even if you ride the tricycle, you child development, when the physical, the ECD project, has toys, a baby have to pay the fare back and forth. So mental, social, and emotional facilities crib, a blackboard, children’s books, you just leave early so you can reach of the child are being formed, and and a cassette player and tapes. your destination,” she said. For her the child requires proper nutrition, “Those who are rich can afford efforts, she receives a P1,500 (about health care, mental and psychomotor maids. Those who are poor and have $38) monthly honorarium from the stimulation, emotional nurturing, to work can leave their children here local government and barangay. social acceptance, and support. with me. But those without work It’s a job she has to do, she said. “They Otherwise, irreversible damages may cannot leave their children here,” Lola depend on me. If I am scheduled to go occur and the child may not function Salud said, even if the child is her own there, I have to go there because they properly as an adult. The lack of iodine, grandchild. “This is my service to my are waiting for me. They appreciate for example, can cause cretinism, a fellow man. I just want to take care of the stories, the toys, and the materials 12 ADB IMPACT: STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINES

DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS: The Kidapawan City ECD Dream Team led by Erlinda Solis Doblas, (second from left) City Social Welfare and Development Officer and ECD action officer

their success to good teamwork, regular interagency meetings, and consultations. The fact that all of them in the team are mothers also helped. “I am very grateful for their cooperation,” said Erlinda Solis Doblas, the city’s social welfare and development officer and ECD action officer. “I am also inspired seeing them cooperate because our vision for our children here in Kidapawan is common. We want our children to be totally developed,” Ms. Doblas said. “We want them to be competitive in any field.” that I bring because they have not seen day, 7 days a week. They can always Through the project, expectant those before. I pity them because, I call her,” he testified. The couple mothers are now aware of the benefits wonder, who will do this for them taught their own children to help of prenatal care. “In our time, we were when I leave?” she said, referring to people in whatever way they can, so not. Things are different now. Now we the warm welcome she always receives it was no surprise that their youngest say, why do we only now have ECD? in remote areas. child chose to become a nurse. We wish it were here earlier so that our The local government of Catmon, own children could be even brighter,” Committed to Helping Others Cebu was twice awarded for its strong Ms. Doblas joked. Erlinda Lagunsad, a 45-year-old midwife, commitment to the project due to the Enriqueta Prudente, who represents received the best service provider award. strong commitment of Mayor Aribal, the Department of Education in She gives primary health services, such herself a former teacher. “I saw that this the team, pointed out the positive as immunization, maternal health project can help the people of Catmon influence the project has on the care, and a feeding program for kids in a lot, especially the poor children in the children’s school performance. “They Barangay Mateo, Kidapawan City. The farms,” the mayor said. perform better and can already ECD project provided her the materials and supplies. “Why do we only now have early childhood develop- “I probably won because of the ment? We wish it were here earlier so that our own cooperation of the people. I did not know I won because I do this daily children could be even brighter” on my own. This is my routine,” she said. She knows the job has many “Before the program started, when socialize because of the training they challenges and problems but only had we were still a fifth-class municipality, got from ECD workers,” she said. reassuring words for her peers, “We we really had a major malnutrition The project provides the centers should accept all the challenges and problem. So ECD was really able to with vitamins and medicines, usually we should be willing to work hard.” help. And our service providers were for upper respiratory tract infections, Her husband, Anacleto, is proud of really devoted to their job. Even if the gastroenteritis, and diarrhea, which her being named best midwife for, farms were far, they would go. And the are the top illnesses in the area, according to him, she is the “best farms here are in steep hills, without according to Dr. Jocelyn Encilenzo, wife” too. “By supporting her, it’s just roads, and in really difficult conditions,” the city health officer. like saying I am supporting the people she said. Now, access is easier after the Marilene Capilitan, city nutrition because I also happen to be a public local government constructed roads in officer, noticed that the children who servant,” he said. He has been a practically every barangay in Catmon. go to feeding sessions prefer natural government worker for more than 30 food over nutripacks, the taste of years. “People here in the barangay Brighter, Better Developed Children which they easily get tired of. Mothers are very lucky to have a midwife like The ECD team in Kidapawan City also also bring in whatever vegetables they her who could be on duty 24 hours a received a DSWD award. They attribute have in their backyard to augment the 13

SMARTER KIDS: ECD workers like Tita Daya help improve the performance of children in school

food provided at the supplemental feeding for the malnourished. To motivate mothers to have their children immunized, they are given free grocery items and a certificate that shows the child has been fully immunized. The city boasts of a 99% fully-immunized-children rate.

Making Parents More Effective An important component of the project was the Parents’ Effectiveness Service (PES). Over 100,000 parents and other caregivers were taught about laws on the rights of the child, responsible parenthood, responsibilities on ECD behavior, management of younger and older children, issues in husband– wife relationships, prevention of child abuse, and health care and parenting issues. More than 8,600 service providers, such as day-care workers and midwives, have also been trained. In Balindog, barangay officials passed an ordinance stipulating that at least one parent in each family has to attend all nine modules of the seminar before a barangay clearance can be issued. Over 90% of the households have already attended the seminar, with only about 100 households left. Mobile child development worker Dicdiquin laments the lack of awareness among poor rural folk on parental responsibilities. “Some just give birth and give birth. Even if the midwife or the barangay health worker advises them to go on family planning, they are stubborn and do not listen. But when PES was implemented, they were taught that they have a responsibility to their children, not just to themselves,” she says. “It’s okay for people have children as long as they can feed and educate them. But those who can’t might resort to child labor because they need money for their family,” she warned. I 14 ADB IMPACT: STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINES A Greener Way of Turning Trash Into Treasures

people and cooperatives engaged in recycling municipal solid waste, often under very difficult working conditions. “It became apparent that there was a need to improve the recycling CLEANER AND SAFER: The new facility and provide capacity building UNUSUAL PLAYGROUND: The materials recovery facility provides and skills training to the community,” old dumpsite was hazardous to a better workspace for Smokey said Anita Celdran, program director Smokey Mountain’s children Mountain’s waste pickers of Sustainable Project Management, a Geneva-based nongovernment organization that is working to address A new “green” waste collection center is helping improve the the problem. working conditions of waste pickers and recyclers in Manila’s Smokey Mountain Better Workspace Needed New services were also needed. The supply chain had to be organized, MANILA and the recycling process had to be streamlined to double the selling price mokey Mountain was once a of the recyclables. The work conditions 2-million-ton garbage heap of the waste sorters in the area can be Sthat, for over 40 years, served quite precarious. as a waste disposal facility for “It became evident that to improve the Philippines’ capital city of Manila. the work environment, a new It drew a large community of informal workspace has become imperative,” settlers who scavenged the garbage Celdran explained. for their livelihood. To address this issue, ADB is working Once Manila’s scourge, Smokey with the Philippine Government’s Mountain has been transformed by National Solid Waste Management the Government into a low-income Commission to support Sustainable housing community for more than Project Management in training the 30,000 people. Although the housing Smokey Mountain community in situation has improved, the area improving waste recycling through remains home to individual waste better collection, sorting, and pickers, junk shops, and a variety of exporting. Trash is transformed into primary materials that can fetch more profit in international markets like the NEW LIVELIHOOD: People’s Republic of China, a major 38-year old Yolanda importer of recycled plastics. Gruta is one of over For more than 2 years, Sustainable 100 housewives trained Project Management has been training to recycle old phone and assisting the community, led by its books into handbags parish priest, Father Ben Beltran, and and accessories the Samahan ng Muling Pagkabuhay Multi-Purpose Cooperative. “Communities like Smokey Mountain have been stepping up waste recycling programs and turning what used to be regarded as unwanted trash into precious, revenue-generating treasures,” Celdran said. 15

A Green Facility “It became apparent that there was a need to On 11 May 2007, the Smokey Mountain community inaugurated its first “green” improve the recycling facility and provide capacity material recovery facility or waste building and skills training to the community” collection center, with the health and safety of the community in mind. Fund, through contributions from the The cooperative in the area has Under the new National Solid Waste Governments of Norway and Sweden, also been recycling old newspapers Management Law, communities are and ADB’s technical assistance funding and phone books into handbags and encouraged to set up material recovery program. accessories, which are sold mostly in facilities to help divert waste from active The facility is designed for natural Australia. Over 100 housewives were landfills. The facility is supported by a ventilation, protection from heavy rains, trained to make the bags, giving them $229,500 grant from ADB‘s Poverty and will have a large kitchen area for additional income. A clothing line and Environment Program, which aims an expanded food catering business to is also being launched to create job to accelerate learning about poverty– feed the workers at the site. The Holcim opportunities in the community. environment linkages and effective Cement Company provided a 10-day Despite the projects that are under way approaches to poverty reduction. It is construction training course for 40 in Smokey Mountain, much work remains financed by the Poverty and Environment residents who, in turn, donated some to be done, according to Celdran. The of their time to help build the facility. remaining landfill continues to be a health “It has truly taken the effort and and safety hazard to the community. support of the whole community to make Rainwater percolating through the this new building a reality,” Celdran said. mountain continues to carry traces of metals and toxins that pose health risks to Beyond the Building the community even as the mountain now In addition to the waste recycling facility, seems to be covered with grass. Unaware Sustainable Project Management is also of the hazards, a number of community working to educate the community members are growing vegetable gardens on recycling. Households in Smokey on the mountain top while children play Mountain will sort their trash and along the water run-off. I contribute to the supply chain as most of the organic waste comes directly from collection bins outside of each building in the community.

UNSAFE: Children of waste pickers remain exposed daily to toxic air and chemicals from the old dumpsite 16 ADB IMPACT: STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINES

Vendors Learn and Earn More Together

New resource centers provided women vendors with both new are Mahayag, in Zamboanga del sources of income and hope Sur Province; Ozamiz, in Misamis Occidental Province; Kidapawan City, in Cotabato Province; Surigao DAVAO DEL NORTE City, in Surigao del Norte Province; Cabadbaran, in Agusan del Norte t the market in Panabo City, Province; and Buluan and Parang, in the southern Philippine both in Maguindanao Province. A province of Davao del Norte, times used to be hard for Nerve Centers vendor Remedios Homesillo. An important feature of the project “It was becoming so difficult to sell. was the establishment in each town We needed a new livelihood,” said the of a women’s resource center that mother of nine and grandmother of provided space for training, a drop- 20 who, with her husband, sold meat in clinic, daycare facilities for pre- at the market for the best part of 6 schoolers, cold storage, lockers, and decades. washrooms. All of these services are But a project, backed by a $1 million available for a minimal fee. grant from ADB’s Japan Fund for The women’s resource centers Poverty Reduction (JFPR) financed by have become in effect nerve centers the Government of Japan, helped for women’s activities—places where them break out of the cycle of women can meet and enjoy one poverty and debt. By teaching them another’s company, said Myrna Lim, new skills, improving their working Executive Director of the Notre Dame conditions, and providing support Foundation for Charitable Activities, for them as parents, the project gave Inc., Women Enterprise Development, new hope and sources of income to the project’s implementing agency. the vendors. “The project hopes to provide The project targeted about 1,600 sustainable gender-sensitive social safety poor women vendors in public nets for women market vendors (and) markets in eight areas of Mindanao. improve the quality of their working Aside from Panabo, these areas environment,” she said.

DIVERSIFYING: Mercy Alforque, a 50-year old vegetable vendor in Ozamis City, wants to learn hair- trimming, manicure, and pedicure to augment her income 17

NEW SKILLS: Maria Sol Suico, a fish vendor, has attended food processing, nutrition, and health seminars

Vendors have hailed the centers as places where they can socialize and work together. “It’s a place where we can get closer to each other, see each other often. Not like before where we did not know each other and we were on our own,” said Geraldine Aguia, a vendor in Panabo Potent Political Force The town mayor said the new municipal City and a mother of three. “We now A requirement before market vendors hall, which replaced a facility built in have someone to turn to and we just can benefit from the project is for the 1960s, has helped Mahayag raise do not go direct to City Hall. If we go them to be formally organized and to more revenues which, in turn, resulted individually, there is no action. As a elect a board. Their association gives in the town’s upgrade to a third-class group, we have their ear because we are them an independent voice separate municipality in 2005. Department of more powerful.” from the larger federation, which Interior and Local Government Under- includes male members. secretary Austere Panadero was so New Sources of Livelihood Recognizing the potent political force impressed by the building that he called Change didn’t come easy, however. that the women wield, the vendors’ it the “best municipal building in the In Panabo City, attendance at training associations have attracted strong whole Mindanao” at its inauguration in sessions was dismal at first because backing from local politicians. In Panabo March 2005. vendors were reluctant to leave their City, the mayor provided a P200,000 “We are proud of this building. Before, stalls. Since most of vendors start their (about $5,000) microfinance revolving Mahayag looked like it was left behind,” days at the market at 4:30 am, the women whom the project intended The women’s resource centers have become nerve to benefit worried about forgoing centers for women’s activities—places where potential market sales to attend a full day of training from 9 am to 5 pm women can meet and enjoy one another’s company But once women realized the benefits, attendance dramatically picked up. fund. In Ozamiz City, the mayor’s office declared Mayor Paulino Fanilag. “Now, Gabriela Ocaña, a mother of two provides health services through the no more. People pay their taxes because who sells fruit for a living, attended women’s resource center. In Mahayag, they can see where their taxes go.” training sessions on customer service the mayor immediately provided vendors The women’s resource centers and the and soap-making. “I have sold some with temporary stalls after their stalls infrastructure projects under Mindanao soap, and my family uses my own were damaged in a market fire a couple Basic Urban Services Sector Project are soap, so we have also reduced our of years ago. being completed one after another. In expenses,” she said. The eight project areas are also Panabo City, a new bus and jeepney Popular with the vendors is training benefiting under the ADB-funded Minda- terminal was completed at the end of on preparing and handling food. nao Basic Urban Services Sector Project, 2006, and women market vendors have Jean Sotto, who has been running an which is upgrading and rehabilitating stalls there as well. In Ozamiz City, a new eatery for the past 20 years, has used much-needed infrastructure through a two-storey public market is being built to the training to extend her culinary $30 million loan. replace the existing dilapidated building knowledge into new food items such as In Mahayag, the newly built municipal where, as women market vendors often desserts. Her sister, Elvira Senuino, who hall is funded with P14 million ($350,000) joke, it rains both inside and outside assists her, attended a training session from the project, with the JFPR-funded during the wet season. on how to make Christmas decorations. women’s resource center for vendors “I am very happy that this project In 2005—the year she took the course— standing by its side. Mahayag—which came to Mindanao,” said Loli Aginones, Senuino was able to sell P2,000 (about won the dubious distinction of being a mother of three who learned to $50) worth of decorations. the dirtiest municipality in Mindanao make and sell peanut butter, tarts, and Vendors are also taking courses in in 1997—became the second cleanest macaroons through the project. “It’s a subjects such as herbal medicine, hair municipality in Zamboanga Del Sur big help to the women of Panabo. At the styling, dressmaking, and nail care. Province in 2006. same time, I enjoy what I’m doing.” I 18 ADB IMPACT: STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINES Using the Sun to Provide Light at Night

A rehabilitated solar-powered battery system lights up a poor and remote village in Palawan

PALAWAN ENERGY ENTREPRENEUR: 35-year old Apolonia Cortaje or 2 hours every night, 12- shows off the rechargable battery that has increased year-old Ian Grace reads and her income Fdoes her homework under a 10-watt lightbulb, while her mother cooks and prepares her lessons for preschool and day care the next day. They have no television or radio, much less a computer. But the faint light from the lamp is enough to keep Ian Grace among the top 10 students in her class. The light comes from a solar- powered battery system financed by ADB through the Danish Cooperation Fund for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Rural Areas. The Philippines’ Department of Energy is implementing the project, which is rehabilitating old renewable energy systems in remote areas. In Barangay Bunog, where Ian Grace lives, the Department of Energy used the funds to rehabilitate a non- operating solar battery system installed years earlier. The nearest electric pole is 30 kilometers away, and it will cost the Palawan Electric Cooperative P15 million (about $375,000) to electrify this off-grid barangay. Since demand for power is low in Barangay Bunog, connecting it to the grid would not be economically viable, hence the need for an alternative solution.

No More Candles “The solar energy helps us a lot because it gives us light, especially at night. Our children are able to study their lessons and we are able to do our household chores even at night,” said Ian Grace’s 19

MONITORING BRIGHT NIGHTS: For 2 hours CONSUMPTION: Solar each night, Ian Grace (right) power is cheaper than and her family enjoy solar- kerosene powered light

A BATTERY A DAY: Charging one battery a day earns an extra P200 ($4) for energy managers

system. And it puts the renewable “It really does us good because my mother is able to energy system in a bad light,” says work at night and I am able to help her, too” Reynaldo Reynaldo, a new and renewable energy (NRE) expert. “We mother, Stella, in Filipino. Bunog has six. Each station caters found out that the problems were “It really does us good because my to 10–15 households. About 70 kind of trivial. For example, some mother is able to work at night and I am households, each with its own solar of the broken parts cost only P10 able to help her, too,” added Ian Grace. battery, are benefiting from the project. ($0.25) but render the whole system “Without electricity, the children These “energy managers,” who are non-operational. only use candles for their light in the usually full-time housewives, accept The Government approached ADB evening,” said Evelyn Kamias, officer-in- batteries for charging the whole day. for a technical assistance to rehabilitate charge of the elementary school where They can charge one battery a day or the failed projects, rectify them, and Ian Grace studies. “The children often an average of six batteries a week, ensure the success of new ones. Thus, don’t do their homework because they earning for them an extra income of the $450,000 technical assistance find it too difficult to study under a P50 (about $1.25) a week. They can project was conceived in 2003. The dim-lit candle or kerosene wick lamp.” even earn more by charging mobile project was executed by India’s The The solar-powered white light is phones on the side. Energy and Resource Institute, in brighter than the yellowish light from The Bunog solar project is one of two association with IDP Consultants, Inc. kerosene lamps, which can easily formerly nonfunctioning renewable of the Philippines. consume about a liter of fuel each energy systems made operational This time, communities were week, eating up a big chunk of a poor again under the ADB project. The other involved and trained on operating and farming family’s meager income. With is a twin micro-hydropower system in maintaining the energy systems. solar power, they save up to P600 Balbalan, Kalinga Province. With the system now running (about $15) annually. smoothly for almost 2 years, Engineer Reliable, Cost-Effective Reynaldo considers the project Extra Income The Philippines promotes NRE successful and sustainable. Users are “We benefit a lot from solar power. It systems—solar, wind, and small- happy to pay the fees, and others are helps augment our income because scale hydroelectric power—for requesting their own solar battery- we can sell even at night,” said store rural electrification. While most charging stations. The project can owner Rosalia Dulig. Now, she is able projects provide reliable and cost- also easily be replicated in other to serve customers until 8 pm. effective electricity, about 20–25% remote parts of the country, to help “We used kerosene before. It fail due to substandard equipment, achieve the national target of 100% blackened our walls and the smoke was inadequate after-sales services, and rural electrification by 2008. bad for our children’s health,” added poor monitoring and maintenance. “When I grow up, I would like Apolonia Cortaje. “Now, we get to save After installation, residents were to live in a place where it is clean, because solar power is cheaper.” not trained to take care of them or peaceful, and bright,” said 12-year- Apolonia is a BEE—or “babaeng perform minor repairs. old Maureen Saylila. Bunog is already (female) energy entrepreneur”—who “When one component breaks clean and peaceful and—for 2 hours manages the solar battery-charging down, the end-users sometimes feel each night—bright as well, courtesy station in her sitio, of which Barangay like they have lost confidence in the of the community’s solar energy. I About the Publication

Over the last 4 decades, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been helping the Philippine Government achieve its vision of a country free of poverty. In this publication, we tell the stories of the people and places this partnership has helped.

About the Asian Development Bank

ADB’s vision is an Asia and Pacific free of poverty. Its mission is to help its developing member countries substantially reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of their people. Despite many success stories, the region remains home to two thirds of the world’s poor. Nearly 1.9 billion people in Asia and the Pacific live on less than $2 a day. It is these people, above all, whom ADB aims to help. Through its policies and operations, and in cooperation with governments and other development partners, ADB promotes growth and development to help people out of poverty. It works to provide all the people of the Asia-Pacific region with access to the essentials of life—safe water, education, and basic health services. ADB is a multilateral development bank owned by 67 members, 48 from the region and 19 from other parts of the world. ADB’s main instruments for helping its developing member countries are policy dialogue, loans, equity investments, guarantees, grants, and technical assistance. ADB is based in Manila, Philippines. It has 26 offices around the world and more than 2,000 employees from over 50 countries.

Asian Development Bank 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines www.adb.org Publication Stock No. 098808 Printed in the Philippines