By SAMMY JULIAN
Manila News Bureau Chief
MANILA – Australia will provide an estimated P5.7 billion (A$143 million) in official development assistance to the Philippines this year until 2015.
According to the Australian Embassy in Manila, Australia’s aid program in the Philippines is focused on improving the quality of basic education by supporting the largest and most significant reform in the Philippines education system in more than 20 years — the introduction of the Kindergarten to Year 12 (K to 12) education program.
Australian assistance will train teachers and education managers, provide advice on curriculum development and help develop information technology systems.
Australia is also working in close partnership with the Philippines to improve learning outcomes of Filipino children, particularly in Muslim Mindanao and disadvantaged communities.
Aid for trade and private sector development will be important areas in line with Australia’s focus of boosting growth.
Australia is supporting the Philippine government’s Public-Private Partnerships reform agenda which is investing in infrastructure, including in classroom construction, health services and transport.
Investment in these areas is critical to fostering sustainable economic growth in the Philippines.
Australia will, likewise, continue to work with the Philippines to deliver an innovative program that uses provincial road maintenance funding as an incentive for local governance reforms.
Australia is also assisting the Philippines automate its public financial management system to improve the efficiency and transparency of public spending.
Australian Embassy Chargé d’Affaires David Dutton noted that his country has made a substantial contribution to peace in Mindanao through our aid program
“We will continue to support the peace process in Mindanao – particularly in the light of the recently signed Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro – by boosting institutional capacity to implement the peace agreement and by introducing education for youth in remote communities,” Dutton said.
“With our Philippine partners, Australia will work to make Filipinos safer and more resilient to the threats from natural disasters, which drive people into poverty and threaten sustainable economic development,” Dutton added.
Australia is a long-standing development partner of the Philippines and one of the country’s largest bilateral grant aid donors.
“Australia remains strongly committed to working in close partnership with the Philippines,” said Dutton. “Australia places high importance on delivering results to help improve the lives of Filipinos.”/PN
