THE UNION of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) in collaboration with the World Bank successfully held a consultative meeting today at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel to discuss and provide inputs for the World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for the Philippines for 2025-2028.
Governor Dax Cua, ULAP national president, emphasized the importance of this engagement, highlighting that local government units (LGUs) are central to realizing the aspirations embedded in the national development agenda. “This consultation is a testament to the very important role that LGUs play in shaping and implementing development strategies that are both effective and inclusive. The Future is Local, and it is through local governments that we will achieve our goals, including those set out in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028,” said Governor Cua.
The World Bank’s CPF outlines the strategic approach through which the World Bank Group intends to support the Philippines over a four-year period. This consultation provided an essential platform for ULAP and its member LGUs to contribute their perspectives, ensuring that the CPF aligns with local priorities and addresses the unique challenges faced by LGUs across the country. ULAP and the World Bank also discussed future areas of collaboration between local government units and the World Bank.
During the consultation, ULAP proposed several key strategies for enhancing the CPF’s impact, including the localization of World Bank programs, the prioritization of support to areas with the greatest need, and the direct provision of both soft and hard capacity-building initiatives to LGUs. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the World Bank, including the country director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, Zafer Mustafaoğlu, who expressed the World Bank’s commitment to working closely with ULAP and LGUs in shaping a framework that not only addresses the national development goals but also resonates with the needs and capacities of local communities.
Zafer Mustafaoğlu, the World Bank’s country ddirector for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, underscored the collaborative nature of the CPF, noting, “The CPF is a partnership, and LGUs are crucial to that partnership. LGUs are very close to the people and have a significant responsibility in delivering essential services. We also recognize the challenges of LGUs in responding to the needs of their societies. Our aim is to partner with local governments to help them provide the best services to their communities using the new CPF as a vehicle and a platform for collaboration.”
Present during the consultation is Undersecretary of Interior and Local Government Atty. Odilon Pasaraba along with Architect Arjay Arguelles representing Gov. Florencio “Joeben” T. Miraflores of the Province of Aklan, Atty. Ronamae Gatillo and Charles Salazar representing Mayor Kirk Asis of Bayugan City, ULAP executive director Aileen Leycano, and League of Provinces executive director Jomar Olegario.
“We appreciate the World Bank’s willingness to consider the unique challenges and opportunities faced by LGUs in the Philippines. Your support in aligning projects with local priorities and capacities will significantly contribute to the success of the framework and to our collective efforts in advancing sustainable development,” Governor Cua added.
The consultation concluded with a shared commitment to continued collaboration between ULAP, LGUs, and the World Bank, aiming to craft a CPF that will drive meaningful progress across the Philippines and contribute to the country’s sustainable and inclusive growth.
