MANILA, April 14, 2008 – Thirty three civil society organizations will soon have the needed funds, a total of more than PhP30 million, to implement their projects that will improve the lives of their respective communities. The winners responded to the theme "Building Partnerships for Effective Local Governance." Panibagong Paraan is a unique bazaar of innovative ideas that provide solutions to the most pressing social and economic concerns of our country; ideas that deliver results and have the potential to be expanded or replicated.

The winners will get funding from specific donor agencies: Australian Agency for International Development/Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (15 winners), the Peace and Equity Foundation (six winners), the Canadian International Development Agency (four winners), the World Bank Group (three winners), The Asia Foundation, USAID (two winners), British Embassy (two winners), and Team Energy Foundation (one winner). The World Bank Group and the Department of Interior and Local Government, Local Government Academy worked together to launch this unique competition. This is the third time that Panibagong Paraan was held.

Dr. Milwida Guevara, 2008 Gawad Haydee Yorac Awardee for Outstanding Public Service, delivered the keynote address during the closing ceremony. In her speech, Dr. Guevara said: "There are so many Filipinos who carry out their work everyday with passion and with a noble sense of mission." She added: "I am continuously inspired by individuals and organizations, who, without any need for recognition, use their talents, and dedicate their time and efforts, in helping others become better."

More than 500 entries were submitted when the competition was announced in November 2007. Out of these, a total of 99 finalists from all over the country were selected based on the following criteria: innovativeness, development results, partnership, and sustainability/replicability.

In parallel, 11 projects were given the Panibagong Paraan sa Puerto Princesa Award courtesy of the City Government of Puerto Princesa. These winners were invited by Mayor Edward Hagedorn to share their project ideas with the development practitioners in his city. The City will provide for their roundtrip airfare ticket, food, and hotel accommodation.

Also awarded during the closing ceremony were the People’s Choice Award for the highest number of votes garnered from the general public, and the Peer’s Choice Award which was selected by the finalists themselves. Winner of the People’s Choice Award was the Women’s Legal Education, Advocacy and Defense (WomenLEAD) Foundation, Inc.). The Peer’s Choice Award went to ECOLINK Philippines.

Roundtable discussions related to local governance hosted by the Caucus of Development of NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), the Transparency Accountability Network (TAN), the Department of Interior and Local Government-Local Government Academy (DILG-LGA), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) were held on the first day of the event. The issues covered were: political dynasty, transparency and accountability, youth involvement, and the ‘red tape’ at the local level. On the second day, a workshop conducted by John Silva covered project development, advocacy and lobbying techniques, and resource mobilization. A Winners’ Forum was also held by selected winners from Panibagong Paraan 2004 and 2006 and Galing Pook entries.

Musical events were performed throughout the two days by Sanghabi, Savio Auxillium Choir, Himig Muntinlupa, Savio Sayaw Galaw, Teatro Marikeño, Rachel Roque, Mauna Kea Chan, Bungkos Palay Performing Arts Foundation (Science City of Muñoz), and the Dalubhasang Mananayaw ng Unibersidad ng Makati.

Panibagong Paraan is a joint undertaking of the World Bank, the Department of Interior and Local Government-Local Government Academy (DILG-LGA), the Australian Agency for International Development/Philippines–Australia Community Assistance Program (AUSAid-PACAP), Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), The Asia Foundation, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Philippine Center for Population and Development (PCPD), Team Energy Foundation, British Embassy, the City of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF), and the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM).

Contributors to Panibagong Paraan include the Manila Water Company (sponsor), and the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), Philippine National Oil Company Energy Development Center (PNOC-EDC), BPI Foundation, Jollibee Foundation, and Chase Technologies Corporation (donors). Media Sponsors were NU 107 and DZBB.

For the complete list of Panibagong Paraan winners, please visit http://www.panibagongparaan.com



###

Project Grant Competition Winners
Panibagong Paraan sa Puerto Princesa Winners
People's Choice Award: Project Number 0301 (Empowering Local Stakeholders for Women's Human Rights Defense and Advocacy)
Peer's Choice Award: Project Number 0463(SK Watch Project)
On-the-Spot Poster-Making Competition Winners