Download USAID Philippines Development Partnerships in Mindanao by Province as of March 2009 in PDF Printable Format

ACTIVITIES IN MINDANAO

Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago comprise about one-third of the Philippines' territory and one-quarter of the country’s total population of approximately 87 million. It has the highest levels of poverty in the Philippines, partly because of the longstanding conflict between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and separatist groups within the Muslim population, which numbers over four million.

After years of negotiations, one of the two main separtist groups, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), signed a Peace Agreement with the GRP in 1996. USAID responded immediately with livelihood training, infrastructure development, and other economic incentives to faciliate the reintegration of former MNLF combatants.

As economic growth in Mindanao has accelerated in recent years, negotiations between the primary remaining Muslim separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the GRP have intensified. USAID is ready to support the consolidation of the peace process by quickly responding to the opportunity provided by such a GRP-MILF agreement.

USAID directs 60% of its total assistance towards Mindanao, focusing on the following areas:

Peace and Security – Helping communities in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao to rebuild a peaceful economy by providing former combatants the production inputs, training, and marketing assistance needed to become small-scale commercial farmers.

Economic Growth – Promoting economic growth that provides business opportunities for as many individuals as possible by supporting producers associations and chambers of commerce. USAID is developing needed basic infrastructure, such as ports and bridges, and assisting rural banks to profitably provide loans and deposit services to microenterprises. Assisting local governments in Mindanao to effectively manage natural resources, improve urban environmental management, and use renewable energy supplied through public-private partnerships.

Democracy and Governance – Partnering with local officials to combat corruption by focusing on transparency and accountability in public administration processes at the local level.

Health – Working with Muslim Religious Leaders and local governments to improve the delivery of family health services, including the prevention of water-borne illnesses and infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and TB.

Education - Increasing access to quality education and livelihood skills in areas most affected by conflict and poverty and improving the quality of instruction—particularly in math, science, and English. USAID also provides vocational training opportunities for out-of-school youth.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ASSISTANCE IN MINDANAO
(As of June 2009)

USAID directs 60% of its total assistance towards Mindanao. Between 2001-2008, USAID provided approximately $345 million to reinforce Philippine Government efforts to secure a lasting peace and build a better life for the people of Mindanao.

PEACE AND SECURITY

• 19 community-based infrastructure projects completed; 15 kilometers of transport infrastructure constructed; four "Regional Impact Projects" underway
• 40 new high schools provided with computers and internet connection
• 11% increase in intra-regional exports of selected commodities
• 840 former combatants and community members trained on new production and marketing technologies for high value commodities
• 123,000 new borrowers accessed microfinance loans from 454 rural bank units; 47,000 new clients accessed loans from 23 partner credit coops

ECONOMIC GROWTH

• Over 12,390 households in 413 remote communities equipped with solar-powered, renewable energy systems (in partnership with the private sector)
• Over 130 local governments and community groups using sound environmental practices to manage forests, coastal and fisheries resources, and solid waste

DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE

• Over 75,000 volunteers reached for monitoring ARMM elections
• 4,500 disputes successfully settled by community-based volunteers in ARMM
• 81 clan conflicts settled in rido-prone provinces (Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan and Sulu)
• 9 cities and 30 conflict-prone municipalities in Mindanao undertaking governance reforms and improving overall business environment

HEALTH

• 299 local governments strengthened in providing quality health services for TB diagnosis and treatment, family planning and maternal and child health services and HIV/AIDS prevention
• 869,000 additional people with access to clean water and 458,000 people with access to sanitation facilities
• About 537,000 pregnant women had at least four antenatal care visits by skilled providers (2007-2008)
• About 132,000 deliveries were attended by a skilled birth attendant (2008)
• Over 100,000 deliveries were done in health facilities (2007-2008)
• About 3,300,000 children under 5 years of age received Vitamin A (2007-2008)
• Over 135,000 cases of child diarrhea treated (2007-2008)
• 2,421 people trained in DOTS (2008)
• About 75,000 TB symptomatics in target areas sought consultation in a DOTS facility (2007)
• About 74,000 individuals (general population) in ARMM and the cities of Davao, General Santos and Zamboanga received education on HIV/AIDS (2008)
• 6,549 individuals (most-at-risk population) in the cities of Davao, General Santos and Zamboanga received education on HIV/AIDS (2007-2008)
• 6,488 individuals in the cities of Davao and Zamboanga received HIV/AIDS counseling and testing (2007-2008)

EDUCATION

• Increased access to learning opportunities
  • 255,060 children reached in program areas
  • Constructed 14 classrooms
  • Repaired or refurbished 165 classrooms and 298 community learning centers
  • Supported 473 parent-teacher-community associations
  • Provided 281,000 books and learning materials
• Improved instruction quality
  • Trained 6,856 teachers in English, Science and Math
  • Trained 708 school administrators and officials
• Out-of-school children and youth and workforce development
  • 13,528 participated in alternative learning systems
  • 5,177 trained in workforce development programs