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Philippines
SNAPSHOT
Date of independence: 1946
Capital: Manila
Population: 90 million (2006 est)
Annual income per person: $1,170
Source: World Bank Development Indicators 2006
CONTACTS
Mission Director
Jon D. Lindborg
USAID/Manila
PSC 502, Box 1
FPO AP 96515-1200
Tel: 632-552-9801
Calista Downey
Desk Officer
Tel: (202) 712-1002
Email: cdowney@usaid.gov
USAID In the Pilippines
philippines.usaid.gov
A former combatant of the Moro
National Liberation Front (MNLF)
uses his cell phone to check on
the market price for seaweed from
a remote island in the Southern
Philippines. He is one of 28,000
former MNLF fighters that USAID
helped make the successful
transition to productive enterprise.
(photo: USAID/Philippines)
Overview
A longstanding ally and Southeast Asia's oldest democracy, the Philippines has historic ties with the United States and provides consistent support for efforts to promote regional security and cooperation.
Unfortunately, the Philippines has not enjoyed the same level of economic success as its neighbors have over the past 30 years. Forty-two percent of the Philippines' population continues to live on $2 a day or less.
USAID's programs focus on 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, increase small business loan services, 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 convictions following a campaign to build the capacity of 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 has helped 15 cities in Mindanao design and carry out good governance and anti-corruption programs, and helped the anti-graft court move to an automated case management system to speed up the trial process.
Economic Growth
USAID is supporting Philippine government and private sector efforts to improve ports, strengthen the inter-island shipping network, and reduce shipping costs by adopting new technologies. USAID promotes the economic development of Mindanao through infrastructure projects (ports, roads, warehouses, community centers, boat landings, water systems and trading centers) and by helping over 100 banks and rural cooperatives profitably provide loans and deposit services for small entrepreneurs.
USAID supports efforts to improve accountability and transparency in managing natural resources, enforce environmental laws and improve solid waste management. USAID has provided solar-powered, renewable energy systems to more than 300 remote communities in Mindanao, and supports public awareness campaigns to reduce vehicle emissions to improve air quality.
Investing In People: Health
USAID focuses its health sector assistance on prioritizing local government services for the poor and the marginalized, while ensuring an expanded role for the private sector for those who can afford to pay.
USAID assists Philippine development in the following health programs: maternal and child health, reproductive health, TB control, food fortification, and surveillance and prevention of HIV/AIDS and emerging diseases like avian influenza. Programs have helped local governments increase access to water and sanitation for more than 200,000 people.
Investing In People: Education
Once one of the best in Asia, the Philippine education system has deteriorated in recent years. USAID is training teachers and providing computers, textbooks, and other materials to schools. By supporting improved teaching of math, science, and English in Mindanao�s public schools, USAID is increasing access to quality education and livelihood skills in areas most affected by conflict and poverty.
Millennium Challenge Account (MCA)
USAID implements the MCA Philippines Threshold Program on behalf of the Millennium Challenge Corporation. The program focuses on fighting corruption and improving performance in the revenue administration agencies. This enables the Philippines to invest more in programs to support economic growth, improve social services and reduce poverty.
Humanitarian Assistance
USAID is helping rebuild the lives of families in Albay and Camarines Sur displaced by typhoons. On an ongoing basis, USAID works in partnership with the Philippine Government, the Red Cross, NGOs, the private sector, and the U.S. military on natural disaster preparedness and relief efforts.
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