Donor Perceptions of Development Effectiveness in ARMM

The AIM - TeaM Energy Center for Bridging Societal Divides hosted a talk by Charles Donnelly entitled, “The Poorest of the Poor: Donor Perceptions of Development Effectiveness in ARMM,” last March 9, 2010. Representatives from organizations such as US AID, Shield from ARMM Project, and The Asia Foundation exchanged views about the topic.

Charles Donnelly, visiting research fellow of Team Energy, revealed that Official Development Aid (ODA) in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has increased exponentially. However, the region remains the worst performing region in the Philippines. His talk explored the internal nuances and external facets of aid delivery in ARMM.

AIM Family Day 2010 at Enchanted Kingdom

The AIM Staff celebrated the most anticipated Family Day at Enchanted Kingdom last March 6, 2010. Upon arrival at the theme park, staff and family settled at the Eldar’s tent for the program. Enchanted Kingdom’s “Boulderville” mascots and Arabian dancers warmly welcomed the AIM family. Fun games thrilled both kids and staff as they win souvenirs from the theme park.

Despite the sunny weather, everyone enjoyed the fun- filled rides Enchanted Kingdom offered such as Flying Fiesta, Anchor’s Away, Rio Grande, Realto, and Space Shuttle.

For a newcomer like me, it was a day to remember as I was able to meet new people and to interact more with my AIM family.

A Diagnosis of the Philippine Health Care System

How does one see the public health care system? Seen through the eyes of a former government health official and a current public health advocate, Dr. Kenneth Hartigan- Go exposed the reality behind the Philippine health care system in his talk, “Philippine Health Care: A Diagnostic and Management Dilemma,” held at AIM last March 4, 2010. This was the fourth of the series of the Center for Development Management‘s “Development at Work” seminars.

Despite good policies, the country’s health care system has failed due to lack of synergy between national and local government health services and the mismatch between academic health and health sector needs. Dr. Go analyzed the current Health Sector Reform Agenda (HSRA) in a macro and micro context, focusing on some rarely discussed components of health such as governance, financing, regulations and health service delivery. Problems arose from weaknesses observed in HSRA such as absence of legal protection and the lack of involvement of private health care sector players.

Dr. Go recommended that there is a need to reform management in the health care system, specifically to increase financial risk protection. Reforms should be based on models of best practices of health care in Asia. These countries of best practices such as Singapore, Vietnam, and China had already implemented change through centralizing policies and re-focusing on rural health management. Also, there should be a need for a paradigm shift, addressing social injustices in health.

AIM Honors New President and Alumni Achievers

Before a distinguished crowd representing the diplomatic corps, international agencies, donors, business, academic, and NGO communities, Edilberto de Jesus was formally introduced as AIM’s 8th President. The event was held at the Fuller Hall on February 26, last day of the weeklong celebration of the Institute’s 42nd anniversary. A parade of 17 flags representing the countries of current students opened the program.

Another highlight of the event was the recognition of outstanding AIM graduates through the Alumni Achievement Award. This year’s awardees are Victor Jose “Chichos” Luciano (MBM 1970), President and CEO of Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) and Gabriel Paredes (MBM 1972), CEO of Universal Storefront Services Corporation (USSC). Mr. Luciano’s leadership of CIAC enabled the airport to post phenomenal growth in passenger volume, while Mr. Paredes led USSC to become one of the country’s biggest ticketing agencies.

AIM also bestowed the Alumni Leadership Award to two celebrating batches of alumni who have generously donated part of the proceeds of their respective homecomings to the Alumni Fund for scholarships, faculty development, learning space, and research and development. They were MBM Batch 1988 and MBM Batch 1989.

AIM Chairman Emeritus Washington SyCip led the toast in honor of Mr. De Jesus and the outstanding alumni who continue to bring honor to the Institute. Music by the Manila Philharmonic Quartet provided the festive mood during the night.

Financial Innovations in Remittances

On February 25, 2010, the AIM Center for Development Management (CDM) hosted a seminar entitled,
”Financial Innovations: Can they boost the development impact of remittances?” held at the First Philippine Holdings Case Room of AIM. This seminar was the third of a series of “Development at Work” talk.

Professor Dean Yang, Ford School of Public Policy and the Department of Economics, discussed emerging insights from his extensive research among migrant workers from source countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala, Kenya, and the Philippines.

The talk emphasized the important role of public policies in facilitating the inflow of remittances and promoting their development impact. It also shared the impact of financial innovations on household decision-making, labor market activities, as well as saving and investment behaviors. Such insights helped financial institutions redesign modes of remittance transfer and introduce new financial products.

Survey of Enterprises on Corruption

The AIM- Hills Program on Governance, supported by The Asia Foundation, sponsored the “SWS 2009 Survey of Enterprises on Corruption and Anti- Corruption Strategies” on February 19,2010 at AIM.

Social Weather Stations (SWS) President Mahar Mangahas shared findings of the 2009 survey conducted. On government efforts to fight corruption, it was evident that the commitment for such advocacy varies across agencies. Higher levels of sincerity to fight corruption were seen in government agencies such as Dept. of Justice (DOJ), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and Dept. of Trade and Industry (DTI). Lower levels of commitment were prominent in agencies such as Dept. of Finance (DOF), Bureau of Internal revenue (BIR), and Office of the President.

The forum also featured Professor Michael Johnston of Colgate University, who recommended strategies in fighting corruption in the Philippines. He emphasized that the nation must build integrity from sector to sector, link reforms to quality life in tangible ways, and strengthen transparency among government agencies in order to improve public confidence in government.

Cambodia’s Theary Seng on Human Rights and Justice

“ I come from a country where when a boy steals a piece of bread, he is sent to jail: when a man kills two million of his countrymen, he is invited to Paris for a peace conference. “

These were the first striking words Attorney Theary Seng, Founder of Center for Justice and Reconciliation, uttered in her talk entitled, “The Khmer Rouge Tribunal and its Implications for International Justice,” held at AIM, last February 18, 2010. This talk was the second of the series of “Development at Work” Talk.

In Cambodia, The Khmer Rouge Tribunal (KRT), formally known as the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, has transformed into both a court of law and a court of public opinion. Since the court of law has a very narrow mandate to weigh available evidence to convict or to release a suspect, the court of public opinion serves as an eye-opener of truth, a medium for human rights.

Using the KRT as the first mixed/ international court, it has made a great impact not only in its own country but also across the world. In Cambodia, they have conducted Emotional Support Teams and standardized the trauma language evident in their society. In terms of international justice, they have initiated victim participation and leaned towards a national court with the presence of an international organization such as the United Nations.

AIM students of Development Management who attended the forum shared their insights on how to apply what they learned from Atty. Theary Seng in their own country. Some emphasized the need for human rights awareness in their respective countries.