USAID, PHL sign $63.5 M devt aid package

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Aquino administration signed Saturday three aid agreements—on governance, family health, and Mindanao peace and development—collectively involving $63.5 million.   USAID said in a statement that the projects on family health, Mindanao peace, and governance represent “the United States government’s support for the priorities outlined by President Aquino in his Social Contract with the Filipino People.” The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the last day of the 45th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank board of governors.   The Improved Family Health Program was allocated $32 million, while the Partnership for Growth program got $28 million, according to USAID Philippines mission director Gloria Steele.   The Mindanao Peace and Development Program was provided $3.5 million. Steele said that the Mindanao peace project agreement has been running for eight years and extended five more years—with the aid funds to total $128 million.   Health Secretary Enrique Ona said that the family health aid funding will be used to address tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and maternal health care.   For her part, Luwalhati Antonino, chairperson at the Mindanao Development Authority, said that projects on capacity training, barangay justice for peace project, credit union empowerment, bridging conflict will be funded by the Mindanao program.   Over a five-year period ending in 2016, about $140 million will be allocated for economic development, and $160 million for the health programs.   On Thursday, the United States nearly tripled its military aid to the Philippines from $11.9 million in 2011 to $30 million this year. — ELR, GMA News