|
ADB lauds PRIMEX's |
LATEST NEWSTNA findings on sustainable watershed management validated to ensure realistic training interventions (December 2011) Consultant assists EU in monitoring food facility projects in the Philippines (December 2011) Four PRIMEX managers earn diplomas in Applied MBA (December 2011) Knowledge Management Team launches portal for the Coral Triangle Initiative (December 2011) PRIMEX EVP engaged to review effectiveness of GEF-funded interventions (December 2011) NICE workshop opens options to improve exclusive breastfeeding and better nutrition improvement practices (December 2011) Dr. Sison to write report of ADB’s employment skills training project in Maldives (December 2011) LGU performance on procurement, financial management under Health Sector Reform Program validated (December 2011) How PRIMEX projects stick to Global Compact principles (UN Global Compact update) (December 2011)
|
Posted on 30 April 2008 At the Concluding Workshop for RETA 6305 held at Richmond Hotel on 2 April 2008, ADB's Dr. Vincent de Wit commended PRIMEX for its excellent handling of RETA 6305 and the “personal commitment and dedication of its consultants to help the participating governments in the implementation of this Project.”
He recalled how complex the Project is in terms of the multiple partners involved – three governments (Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines), four consulting firms (PRIMEX and its local partners), and ADB, – which, in the context of the complex ADB procedures, could be 'scary', but which "PRIMEX and its partners managed well." "PRIMEX was on top of things in terms of communication and application of simple tools," De Wit added. Some areas in the Project required additional work midway through its implementation, including Epidemiological Surveillance and Response (ESR) assessment and planning. De Wit said that usually presented constraints to project implementation, but not in RETA 6305. "I should give thanks to the consultants for being so committed…we don't always see that," said De Wit, who has been handling a number of ADB health projects being the Bank's Principal Health Specialist. Although limited in budget and with a 'standardized' project design at the outset, De Wit took pride in recounting the accomplishments of the Project in starting a process of regional cooperation on ESR among the three countries, and in defining the directions the governments can do next. "You are building a new road for ESR," he told an audience of project implementers and representatives from the three countries. "In the end, this project was driven by governments, and I think, that is the big secret in the success of this RETA. Not just because we were flexible, but also because the governments made the time available. They made the commitment. They did say what they wanted and what not. The moment we have that kind of guidance, we can support them, because the one thing that ADB and consultants cannot provide is the leadership and guidance," De Wit said in acknowledging the contribution of health authorities in the three countries. Responding to Dr. De Wit's remarks, Dr. Eric Tayag of the Philippines' National Epidemiology Center (NEC) recalled that when the International Health Regulations (IHR) was revised in 2005 and "was beginning to run the circles of ministries of health around the world," the Project "paved the way for waking up the Department of Health so that it can actually, with speed and precision, join the bandwagon of implementing the IHR-2005 guidelines." NEC has since been designated as the Philippine focal point for the implementation of IHR-2005 - a new set of international health guidelines seeking to "prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease and which avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade." PRIMEX President and CEO Elvira Ablaza welcomed De Wit's remarks as a testament to the Company's culture of professionalism, work ethics, and dedication in managing projects.
Back to Top |Back to News/Events
|
"Normally, when ADB would add work to a consulting firm, the consulting firm would really complain. But I should say that PRIMEX was really willing to do good," De Wit remarked in his concluding speech at the ADB-RETA 6305 Concluding Workshop. 
