Growers and exporters of organically grown Bongulan bananas operating in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao are among the recipients of a post-harvest facility, technology training, and marketing assistance from USAID. (Photo: USAID/Philippines)
U. S. – Philippines Partnership for Growth
The United States Government and the Government
of the Republic of the Philippines Launch the
Partnership for Growth.
The Philippines, a longstanding U.S. ally and Southeast Asia's oldest democracy, has historic ties with the United States and is an important development, trading, and regional security partner. Unfortunately, the Philippines has not enjoyed the same level of economic success as its neighbors over the past 30 years. Approximately 40 percent of the Philippines' population lives on $2 a day or less. USAID's programs focus on reducing poverty by strengthening peace in conflict-affected Mindanao, promoting good governance, increasing economic opportunities, protecting the environment, strengthening health services, and improving basic education.
Programs
Peace and Security USAID works with the Philippine government and the private sector to strengthen the foundation for peace and development in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. Programs give former combatants job skills and expand trade and marketing networks. USAID is also training local officials in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in more than 1,000 villages. USAID's anti-trafficking efforts have resulted in high-profile convictions following a nationwide campaign to train local prosecutors.
Governing Justly and Democratically USAID works with the Philippine government to make corruption a high-risk, low-reward activity. Programs target areas where corruption can be most damaging: taxes and customs administration, elections, government procurement, and the judiciary. USAID helped 15 cities in Mindanao design and carry out good governance and anticorruption programs. USAID has helped the anti-graft court move to an automated case management system to speed up the trial process. USAID also paved the way for the Philippines to receive a Millennium Challenge Corporation compact by assisting the government in reducing corruption and improving revenue administration.
Economic Growth USAID partners with the Philippine government and the private sector to improve port efficiency, strengthen the inter-island shipping network, reduce shipping costs by adopting new technologies, and help expand the reliable and affordable provision of energy. USAID promotes the economic development of Mindanao through infrastructure projects and by helping over 100 banks and rural cooperatives profitably provide loans and deposit services for small-scale entrepreneurs, including former combatants.
USAID supports efforts by the national government and at least 265 provincial and municipal governments to improve accountability and transparency in managing natural resources, enforce environmental laws, and improve solid waste management. USAID assistance led to improved management of 82,000 hectares of biologically significant forests and coastal-marine ecosystems, activation of 117 special courts for environmental crimes, and development of renewable energy systems in more than 400 remote communities in Mindanao.
Investing in People: Health USAID helps to improve local government health services for poor and marginalized populations in 650 cities and municipalities in 28 provinces nationwide. USAID strengthens health systems in the areas of maternal and child health, reproductive health, tuberculosis prevention and control, micronutrient supplementation and food fortification, and surveillance and prevention of HIV/AIDS and emerging diseases like avian influenza and H1N1. To date, USAID programs helped local governments and water utilities increase access to water and sanitation services for over 1.5 million Filipinos.
Investing in People: Education USAID works with the Philippine government to increase access to quality basic education focusing on English, science, and mathematics for about 300,000 students. USAID also expands and improves opportunities for 100,000 out-of-school youth in areas most affected by conflict and poverty. USAID supports community involvement in education, improvement of instructional quality, provision of computers and educational materials, construction and repair of classrooms, technical assistance to improve policies, and the implementation of educational programs and livelihood skills training for out-of-school youth. At the university level, USAID assists students in acquiring the English language proficiency necessary for obtaining employment in key growth sectors.
Humanitarian Assistance In the aftermath of typhoon Megi, USAID provided humanitarian assistance items to over 7,600 vulnerable families. Assistance included shelter, agricultural support, and the distribution of non-food items.
