$750-M loan para sa sustainable recovery ng Pinas, oks sa World Bank

INAPRUBAHAN ng World Bank ang $750-M loan para sa Pilipinas para palakasin ang “environmental protection at climate resilience’ lalo na ang target na renewable energy at tumulong na mabawasan ang panganib ng climate-related disaster.

“The US$750 million Philippines First Sustainable Recovery Development Policy Loan (DPL) supports ongoing government reforms to attract private investment in renewable energy; enhance plastic waste management through reduction, recovery, and recycling; promote green transport, including the use of electric vehicles; and reduce climate-related fiscal risks from the agriculture sector,” ayon sa  World Bank sa isang kalatas.

Sinabi ng World Bank na ang loan ay para suportahan ang target ng gobyerno na 50% ng renewable energy sa kabuuang power generation sa 2040.

Ayon pa sa World Bank, kailangan ng power sector ng bansa ng “significant increase in investments in solar and wind technologies and a strong policy environment conducive for investment in renewable energy” para makamit ang nasabing target.

Popondohan din nito ang pagpapasimula ng bagong insurance products para sa mga smallholder farmers at palakasin ang operasyon ng Philippine Crop Insurance Commission.

“The aim is to help mitigate climate-related disaster risks to the country’s budget and the farming sector,” ayon sa World Bank sabay sabing “If properly designed and targeted, crop insurance can help stabilize farm income, reduce poverty, and provide a climate safety net for food producers.”

Tutulong din ang financing mechanism sa pagpapatupad ng Extended Producer Responsibility Act, binibigyan ng mandato ang malalaking negosyo na maka-recover o makabawi ng hanggang 80% ng plastic packaging waste sa taong 2028.

“The Philippines produces approximately 1.7 million tons of post-consumer plastic waste yearly, with an estimated recycling rate of only 28% for recyclable plastic waste while other plastic waste enters the ocean,” ayon sa World Bank.

Ang $750-million loan ay bahagi ng development policy loans na ipinahihiram ng  Washington-based financial institution sa mga developing countries gaya ng Pilipinas para  “support policy and institutional changes needed to create an environment conducive to sustained and equitable growth as defined by borrower-countries’ own development agenda.”

“The Philippines has rebounded strongly from the pandemic but continues to face serious challenges, including high global commodity prices, disruptions in global supply chains due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, weaker exchange rates, and high inflation,” ayon kay World Bank Senior Economist Ralph Van Doorn.

“Reforms aimed at attracting private investments in public service sectors can open up new sources of economic growth and quality jobs,” dagdag na pahayag nito. (Daris Jose)