FOR SOME time now, the Manila-based Asian Development Bank -- the second biggest bank in the world -- has drawn flak from NGOs for its penchant to finance large, capital-intensive projects while ignoring their social and ecological ramifications. When the bank's board of governors met in Hong Kong in May, NGOs had lobbied against what they perceived as the lack of democratisation and public accountability that characterised ADB-government negotiations.

"We at the Asian Development Bank are good listeners, fast learners and willing participants when it comes to questions about the environment," said ADB vice president In Yong Chung in his welcome address to the Second ADB-NGO Consultative Meeting held recently in Manila. About 21 NGOs from 10 Asian countries participated in the consultation.

As it turned out, the ADB had to listen a good deal. Antonio Quizon of the Asian NGO Coalition reminded the bank it had done little to implement the nine recommendations made at the first NGO-ADB meet five years ago.

ADB is evidently keen to win over NGOs. ADB consultant Cedric Saldhana pointed out the bank is keen to involve NGOs in its operations as sources of information for evaluating a project and, as consultants or contractors to assist in identifying, preparing, implementing and monitoring a project. In April, ADB set up a social dimensions unit (SDU) to become what Kazi F Jalal, chief of ADB's office of the environment, called a "focal point for examining social issues" and as an agency that will liaise with NGOs.

But most participants were not convinced about the seriousness of ADB's commitment to the SDU. They came out with a list of over 20 recommendations the thrust of which were to urge the ADB to reformulate it policy on cooperation with NGOs, so that they would be regarded as partners rather than extension agents. They also demanded that NGOs be involved in project design and preparation, not merely implementation.

Since information about projects is a major constraint, the NGOs insisted on access to information like the bank's environmental impact assessments. Will the ADB take action? Most participants remained pessimistic about being able to influence any decisions, once the ADB's imposing gates closed behind them.