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Philippines
EXAMPLES OF OUR IMPACT
- The incidence of violence has been reduced by 40 percent in Mindanao communities supported by USAID conflict resolution activities.
- USAID programs have improved water and sanitation services for 860,000 Filipinos.
- Over 1,000 square miles of forests and coastal areas are better protected, as a result of USAID’s efforts to improve natural resource management.
USAID/PHILIPPINES SITE
philippines.usaid.gov
CONTACTS
Acting Mission Director
Elzadia Washington
USAID/Philippines
PSC 502, Box 1
FPO AP 96515-1200
Tel: 632-552-9800
Philippines Desk Officer
Robert W. Hanchett
Tel: (202) 712-1566
Email:rhanchett@usaid.gov Schoolchildren in Donsol, Luzon, participate in the annual celebration of the Butanding (whale shark) Festival, supporting community-wide efforts to conserve the whale shark’s habitat. This activity is supported by USAID’s Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest project. (Photo: USAID/Philippines) Overview
A longstanding U.S. ally and Southeast Asia’s oldest democracy, the Philippines 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 have 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 provide training for 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 anti-corruption programs. USAID has helped the anti-graft court move to an automated case management system to speed up the trial process. USAID also implemented a $21 million Millennium Challenge Account Philippines Threshold Program. This program assisted the Philippine government in reducing opportunities for 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 more than 150 local government units, a majority of which are in Mindanao, to improve accountability and transparency in managing natural resources, enforce environmental laws, and improve solid waste management. USAID assistance led to improved management of 1,068 square miles 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 the poor and the marginalized in 650 cities and municipalities in 28 provinces nationwide, while ensuring an expanded role for the private sector in responding to the health needs of those who can afford to pay. USAID strengthens health systems in the areas of maternal and child health, reproductive health, tuberculosis control, food fortification, and surveillance and prevention of HIV/AIDS and emerging diseases like avian influenza. USAID programs have helped local governments increase access to water and sanitation services for more than 860,000 people.
Investing In People: Education
USAID works with the Philippine government to increase access to quality basic education focusing on English, science, and mathematics for more than 300,000 students. USAID also works to expand and improve opportunities for more than 100,000 out-of-school youth in areas most affected by conflict and poverty. In cooperation with international and local private sector and civil society groups, 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 to acquire English language proficiency, necessary in obtaining employment in key growth sectors.
Humanitarian Assistance
USAID provides support for natural disaster preparedness and relief by working in partnership with the Philippine government, the Red Cross, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, and the U.S. military.
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