Manila, Philippines – World Bank (WB) Group President Robert B. Zoellick arrived in the Philippines last Tuesday to strengthen its partnership with the country. While in the Philippines, Zoellick will meet President Benigno S. Aquino III as well as the economic team led by Finance Secretary Cesar A.V. Purisima.
He will also meet leaders and representatives of civil society organizations as well as the private sector. Zoellick is also scheduled to visit a poor community to meet with people benefitting from the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program, also known as the “Pantawid Pamilya” program that provides families with cash if they send their children to school and comply with health checks. Launched in 2008 with support from the WB, the program has benefitted 2.2 million households that include six million children up through age 14. (Roy C. Mabasa)