It was hailed in a newspaper editorial as "a pioneering work" that
clarified a lot of questions about the upsides and downsides to
official development assistance (ODA) in the Philippines. A month
later,  the PCIJ's three-part report, "The Perils and Pitfalls of ODA"
written by Roel R. Landingin, continues to generate vigorous critical
interest and discussion among development workers and donors.

But our work has just started. The story calls attention to the
numerous ODA-funded projects that merit continuous scrutiny by more
journalists, and unflagging concern among all policymarkers, civil
society groups, and citizens.

The story borne of six months' worth of research also yielded quite a
volume of documents that the  PCIJ believes could inform further
inquiries into the issue by students of Philippine politics and
policy.

We have thus decided to organize a discussion forum on  "The
Philippine ODA Trail:  Issues and Challenges for Journalists" on
Monday, 31 March 2008, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Mutya Room of
The Sulo Hotel in Diliman, Quezon City.

The forum will feature presentations by the story's author and a PCIJ
summary report on transparency issues in accessing ODA-related
documents.

As well, the forum will mark the launch of the PCIJ's microsite, "The
Philippine ODA Trail: A Journalist's Resource Tool."  This site will
house the primary documents used in the story, and feature a "Do It
Yourself" Guide to Investigating ODA-funded projects, and relevant
links, and reading materials on the issue.

We'd be most honored by your presence at our forum. You may please
call Ms Baby Cacdac or Ms Marianne  Pagatpatan at PCIJ's office
numbers 410-4768 to 69, for inquiries and/or to confirm your
attendance.

Thank you and best regards.

Sincerely yours,

MALOU MANGAHAS
Executive Director, PCIJ