Affirming Saint Louis University’s (SLU) initiatives are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) and the advocacies of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM), SLU hosted the World Bank Group (WBG) Country Partnership Framework (CPF) Consultation Stakeholder Discussion at the SLU Incubator for Research, Innovation, and Business (SIRIB) Center on 13 August 2024. The consultation aimed at collecting feedback on the strategic focus areas of the WBG Country Partnership Strategy for 2025-2028, taking into account its comparative strengths and the changing development landscape.
Mr. Vincent Abrigo, WBG Analyst and the lead facilitator of the day’s discussion, welcomed participants representing the private sector, the academe, civil society organizations, youth organizations, and Regional Line Agencies (RLAs) of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
He then invited everyone to take part in the opening ceremonies, acknowledging the SLU Center for Culture and the Arts (SLU CCA) Glee Club for the melodious opening prayer, national anthem, and a special number – SLU CCA’s version of the Philippine classic folk song, “Waray Waray.”
Executive Assistant to the SLU President and Head of the UN SDG Binnadang Center, Joselito P. Gutierrez, PhD, delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of SLU University President Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD. Dr. Gutierrez emphasized that SLU’s partnership with the WBG aligns with CICM and SLU’s advocacies for justice and peace, the integrity of creation, indigenous peoples’ apostolate, and fosters essential cultural dialogue. “Our visionary University President is pleased to extend a warm welcome to all of you for this unique consultation with the World Bank Group,” Dr. Gutierrez said.
Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong followed with his opening remarks, reflecting on the constructive and productive meeting he had with the World Bank the previous day. What was initially planned as a ten-minute courtesy call extended into an hour-long discussion, covering a broad spectrum of issues impacting Baguio City and the Cordillera region. That being said, Mayor Magalong expressed that the convergence “will be a great way to share our insights and share our technical issues and other critical issues because it is allowing them (WBG) to know more about the Cordillera Region and to know about our challenges. Hopefully we will be able to come up with certain key agreements to be able to establish a partnership with the World Bank. Sa inyong lahat ng naandito ngayon, thank you. (To everyone who is here today, thank you.) To Team Baguio, please don’t hesitate to convey our concerns. Please feel free to speak up and speak out,” Mayor Magalong urged.
Presentation of World Bank Group’s proposed Country Partnership Framework 2025-2028
The Stakeholder Discussion continued with the presentation of the WBG Philippines Country CPF for 2025-2028 by WBG Lead Economist and Program Leader Gonzalo Varela, and Clarissa David, Senior Country Officer of WBG.
As an international financial institution that supports countries pursuing their development goals through financing, knowledge, and partnerships, WBG programs are rooted in its mission is to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. Its current partnerships with the Philippines include sustainable economic recovery, increasing agricultural productivity, nutrition interventions to reduce stunting, social protection, and disaster risk management.
These distinctives were elaborated upon the discussion on the Context and Analytical Foundations of the CPF, which included data on the Philippines’ development context across various aspects such as economic growth, labor productivity, poverty incidence, income growth and disparities, education quality, and climate and disaster risk. Building on this, the conversation transitioned to the WBG Forward Strategy, outlining four High-Level Objectives (HLOs) aimed at improving the quality of life for all Filipinos by enhancing economic opportunities, strengthening human capital, and fostering greater resilience within a greener and more sustainable environment.
World Bank Group CPF Stakeholder Consultation
After the presentation, the CPF Stakeholder Consultation commenced in breakout sessions centering on discussion points on the evaluation of strategy relevance and operational constraints that were participated in by representatives from private sectors, the academe, civil society organizations, youth organizations, and Regional Line Agencies (RLAs), and Local Government Units from CAR.
The said sessions were facilitated by WBG officials: Gonzalo Varela, Lead Economist and Program Leader; Edgar Janz, Senior Country Officer; Clarissa David, Senior Country Officer; David Llorito, External Affairs Officer; Vincent Abrigo – Analyst and Lead Facilitator; and Stephanie Anne Margallo, External Affairs Program Assistant.
Shortly after, Edgar Janz, Senior Officer from the WBG Headquarters in Washington, DC, underscored common themes of communication, coordination, and working together, based on the discussions. He addressed the participants saying, “We came looking for input. You’ve been generous with insights and knowledge regarding development issues in the city and also region.”
The World Bank Group expressed their gratitude to the SLU Administration led by University President Rev. Fr Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD.
By hosting the World Bank Group’s Country Partnership Framework Consultation, SLU solidified its commitment to national and global development. This strategic engagement highlights SLU’s dedication to shaping a more equitable future through quality Catholic education rooted in the mandate of Missio et Excellentia (Mission and Excellence).
