In early 2000, the World Bank estimated that corruption was costing the Philippine government $47M a year - or a massive $48 billion over the 20-year period to 1997. Corruption, said the World Bank report, undermines development, hurts the poor, diminishes the quality of public services and raises the price of goods and services. RIPS was created to address persistent reports of corrurption in revenue generating agencies of the government that lead to collection shortfalls. RIPS works closely with anti-corruption agencies of the government, such as the Office of the Ombudsman and the Philippine National Police.