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Friday, June 26, 2009

RP TO RECEIVE US$90 M WORTH OF ASSISTANCE FROM USAID

For the U.S. Fiscal Year 2009, nearly US$90 million worth of development assistance would be provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to the Philippines.

This was discussed during the annual consultations of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the USAID. The two agencies reviewed results achieved over the past year in the following program focus areas: governance, economic growth, environment and energy, health, education, and Mindanao peace and development.  

USAID's anticipated development assistance to the country is in line with the priorities of the new U.S. Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for the Philippines for 2009-2013. The U.S. Government will support four priority assistance goals during this period: accelerating growth through improved competitiveness; strengthening governance, the rule of law, and the fight against corruption; investing in people to reduce poverty; and promoting a peaceful and secure Philippines.

Led by NEDA Deputy Director General Rolando G. Tungpalan and USAID/Philippines Mission Director Jon D. Lindborg, the key staff of the two organizations reviewed program accomplishments and plans for the coming year.

During the consultations, Tungpalan advised that the current Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) will end in 2010 but the Philippine government has mechanisms which would allow for continued periodic validation of foreign assistance programs. "NEDA is working on materials that would be a basis for recommendations for the next MTPDP so that when the next leaders come on board, they would be familiar with the strategies set for the next six years," Tungpalan said.  

In his comments, USAID/Philippines Mission Director Jon D. Lindborg noted "…the long and productive U.S.-Philippines bilateral relationship, not only through U.S. assistance programs, but also through robust trade and investment linkages, people-to-people ties and security cooperation."  The group also viewed U.S. Secretary of State Clinton's June 12 Philippines Independence Day video message in which she stated,



"The United States is grateful for our friendship and partnership with the Philippines which has brought many benefits to the people of both our nations, and we are committed to continuing our friendship and finding new ways to work together in the months and years to come, for the good of our two countries and the world."


        The NEDA and the USAID completed annual consultations on U.S. Government (USG) assistance partnerships in support of Philippine development priorities.  

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