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USAID's programs in the Philippines focus on strengthening peace in conflict-affected Mindanao, promoting good governance, increasing economic opportunities, protecting the environment, strengthening health services, and improving basic education. We invite you to explore our web site to learn more about USAID/Philippines innovative programs and activities.
Program Highlights
Philippines – Celebrating Earth Day…Every Day
U.S. Embassy civilian and military personnel joined Filipinos throughout the archipelago to successfully celebrate Earth Day 2008 on April 22. Led by Ambassador Kristie Kenney and Charge d’Affaires Paul Jones, Embassy Manila organized, sponsored, and participated in dozens of outreach events throughout the entire “Earth Month” of April that focused attention on environmental issues in the country, including climate change, natural resource degradation, air pollution, sanitation, and waste management. The United States is the largest bilateral grant donor to the Philippines environment sector, supporting nationwide programs through USAID, Peace Corps, and other agencies.
As a part of Earth Month celebrations, USAID’s Sustainable Energy Development Program (SEDP) delivered stage performances to students, government officials and private sector representatives to communicate messages on clean energy and the environment. In the scene depicted above, Mother Earth has transformed three young students into “EcoDefenders” with superhero powers to enable them to successfully protect the environment. USAID’s SEDP leverages resources from an array of private sector groups to support innovative public awareness campaigns.
Philippines – Potable Water
On April 24th, USAID turned over a water system to the Cotabato City government and the Metro Cotabato Water District. The water system connects barangay Tamontaka 3 to the city’s water district through 1.3 kilometers of pipelines and nine communal faucets. Prior to its construction, the barangay’s 2,256 residents had little choice but to purchase water—often lacking hygienic safeguards—from private suppliers for their daily needs at a rate higher than that charged by the water district. The new potable water system is among 28 infrastructure projects in Cotabato City and 870 infrastructure projects in the conflict–affected areas of Mindanao built in partnership with local governments, by USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, in support of peace and economic development in Mindanao’s conflict-affected areas.
Mike George (left), Philippines Country Coordinator, Office of the Director of Foreign Assistance, U.S. State Department, turns on the tap at one of the communal faucets installed by USAID’s GEM Program in Bgy. Tamontaka 3, Cotabato City. With him are Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema (3rd from left) and Tamontaka 3 Barangay Captain Bai Linang.
Philippines: Improving the Quality of English Language Instruction
USAID’s Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills (EQuALLS) Project offered a five-day training (April 14-18) for 40 English teachers in Zamboanga City. The teachers—who come from the Zamboanga peninsula, central Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)—will, in turn, to train approximately 500 of their fellow teachers in English comprehension. The April14 - April 18 training included public elementary school English teachers and professors from teacher training colleges. USAID’s EQuALLS project aims to improve access to quality education and livelihood skills for children and out-of-school youth in poverty and conflict-affected communities in Mindanao.
Participants in the USAID-funded EQuALLS Project training for English teachers held April 14 - April 18 in Zamboanga City.
Philippines – Strengthening Government Capacity to Bring Family Health Services to the Workplace
During March and April, USAID’s Private Sector Mobilization for Family Health (PRISM) Project supported training for over 80 officers of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to help private firms establish family health programs in the workplace. USAID assistance will enable DOLE and DOH to establish workplace health programs in at least one firm in each of the nation’s 13 regions to improve employees’ access to family planning and maternal and child health services.
Philippines – USAID Health Efforts Recognized in Cavite
On April 21, Cavite Governor Ayong Maliksi presented a plaque of appreciation to USAID’s Private Sector Mobilization for Family Health (PRISM) Project for harnessing the private sector to provide expanded family health services to the people of Cavite. Governor Maliksi cited USAID for its collaborative work with 38 companies in Cavite that have established a family health program in the workplace; clinical and business trainings for Cavite’s private midwives; and, assistance to midwives in accessing micro-finance loans and obtaining accreditation from the Philippine Health Corporation (PhilHealth). USAID health projects in Cavite are implemented in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Cavite Chapter.