Power of Partnership: 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

POWER OF PARTNERSHIP 50+ YEARS OF USAID IN THE PHILIPPINES

POWER OF PARTNERSHIP 50+ YEARS OF USAID IN THE PHILIPPINES

Copyright 2017 by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines.

U.S. Embassy, 1201 Roxas Boulevard Ermita, Manila, Philippines Postal Code - M 1000 Phone +63 (2) 301-6000 Fax +63 (2) 301-6213

ABOUT THE PHOTO SPREAD Students of Sto. Niño Central Elementary School in South Cotabato pose with their school principal. USAID helped strengthen the capacity of teachers in more than 660 primary schools in Mindanao. USAID partnered with the Philippine Department of Education, corporations, foundations and non-governmental organizations to build the foundational reading and numeracy skills of young students.

RIGHT PHOTO The Bohol local government and community members in Buenavista have been successfully co-managing the Cambuhat River Village Tour and Oyster Farm. USAID helped train local leaders about the value of partnerships in sustainable development.

Honored here are the individuals, families, communities and partners — both Filipino and American — that have worked tirelessly to build a brighter future for the Philippines.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS USAID would like to thank the following people, organizations and agencies for sharing their time, expertise and insights to make this book possible. We are eternally grateful for their valuable contribution.

Partners, beneficiaries, employees and friends of USAID who generously shared their experiences and perspectives, including:* USAID Projects – Accelerating Growth Investment and Liberalization with Equity; AIDS Surveillance and Education project; Alliance for Mindanao OffGrid Renewable Energy program; Basa Pilipinas; Bicol Integrated Area Development Plan-Bicol River Basin Development Plan; Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience project; Coastal Resource Management project; Ecological Governance project; Economic Modernization Through Efficient Reforms and Governance Enhancement; Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries project; Education Governance Effectiveness program; Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills; Enhancing Governance Accountability and Engagement project; Environmental and Natural Resources Accounting project; Field Epidemiology Training program; Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest; Growth with Equity in Mindanao; Governance and Local Democracy project; Higher Education and Productivity project; Innovative Development Through Entrepreneurship Acceleration program; International Development’s Innovations and Multi-Sectoral Partnerships to Achieve Control of TB project; Investment Enabling Environment project; Justice Sector Reform project; Literacy for Peace and Development; Livelihood Enhancement And Peace program; Local Development Assistance program; Local Resource Management project; Masagana 99 Rice Production program; Microenterprise Access to Banking Services program; Mindanao Development program; Mindanao Youth for Development; Philippine Agribusiness Systems Assistance program; Private Sector Mobilization for Family Planning; Private Voluntary Organization Co-Financing program; Provincial Development Assistance project; Rainfed Resources Development project; Reaching Out to Most-at-Risk Populations project; REBUILD; Scaling Innovations in Mobile Money Activity; Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development; Sustainable Health Improvements Through Empowerment and Local Development; Technical Assistance for the Conduct of Integrated Family Planning and Maternal Health Activities by Philippine Nongovernmental Organizations project; and Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability project USAID Project Staff and Consultants – Albert Aquino, Bernadette Cariaga, Brian Levey, Catalina Jensen, Cesar Umali, Christopher Foley, Corazon Manaloto, Dani Newcomb, David Dereck Golla VI, Ezekiel Lawrence Enrique, Fatima Verzosa, Gerardo Porta, Gil Dy-Liacco, Jefferson Danipog, Joanne Dulce, John Avila, Jose Dulce, Josephine Francisco, Lee Forsythe, Leonardo Dayao, Leonila Gutierrez, Liana Helene Meyer, Lucila Deza, Lydia Martinez, Ma. Paz de Sagun, Ma. Teresa Robielos, Ma. Teresita Espenilla, Marie Antoinette Reyes-Hayles, Mercy Ria Orca, Mirshariff Tillah, Napoleon de Sagun, Priscilla Rubio, Randy John Vinluan, Rebecca Guieb, Reynalda Perez, Robert Barton, Sulpicio Roco, Teodoro Francisco, Teresina Calabia; and Yolanda Oliveros Academia – Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (Dr. Manuel Dayrit); Asian Institute of Management (Grace A. Baldoza, Jocelyn O. Almendras); Bantol Elementary School (Maribelle Labojo); Pamukid National High School; Panalaron Elementary School (Concepcion Lloren, Filieta Waniwan); Philippine Institute for Development Studies (Dr. Mario B. Lamberte); Santo Niño Central Elementary School (Yolenia Hare, Jinny Biñas) Technological Institute of the Philippines (Dr. Elizabeth Lahoz, Dr. Frank Alejandrino, Jason Torres); University of the Philippines Diliman School of Economics (Dr. Orville Jose Solon, Dr. Carlo Panelo, Dr. Ramon Clarete); and University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Economics and Management (Dr. Jose M.Yorobe, Jr.) ----*

While all of these organizations and people have provided valuable input for the book, not all stories are covered in this publication

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Office of Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. Airports – Kalibo International Airport, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Banks – Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines, First Macro Bank (Rural Bank of Paterios, Inc.), Bangko Kabayan (Francis Ganzon, Teresa Ganzon, Isabel Monteacto, Fides Ofrecio and Rymar Gutierrez)

Provincial Government of Bohol – Governor Edgar M. Chatto, Bohol Environment Management Office (Sammy Racho); Provincial Tourism Office (Josephine Cabarrus); Office of the Auditor (May Limbaga); Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (Larry Pamugas), Bohol Tourism Council (Atty. Lucas Nunag); and Provincial Health Office (Dr. Rey Moses Cabagnot)

Government Offices and Agencies – Davao City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Department of Agriculture-Special Projects Coordination and Management Assistance Division; Department of Budget and Management (Laura Pascua); Department of Education (Dr. Diosdado San Antonio); Department of Energy (Alicia de Guzman); Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Edwin Domingo, Romeo Basada), Department of Interior and Local Government (Anna Liza Bonagua), Department of Health (Dr. Enrique Tayag, Maylene Beltran, Dr. Jose Gerard Belimac); Department of Tourism; Cebu City Health Department (Dr. Ilya Tac-an); Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Civil Aeronautics Board (Atty. Eldric Paul A. Peredo, Carmelo Arcilla); Laguna Lake Development Authority (Mau Tolentino); Field Epidemiology Training Program (Dr. Ma. Nemia L. Sucaldito, Dr. Ma. Concepcion Roces, Dr. Vikki Carr D. de los Reyes, Carmina Balbin); Land Management Bureau (Atty. Allan Barcena); National Irrigation Administration (Ines P. Bagadion); National Epidemiology Center; National Tuberculosis Control Program; Pasonanca Watershed Maintenance and Security Team; Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (Vivian B. Valdez); Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Melinda Mercado, Maria Sophia Varlez, Pura Carino); San Juan City Health Office (Dr. Philip Patrick Co), Philippine Center for Population and Development, Quezon City Health Department (Dr. Rolly Cruz, Dr. Verdades P. Linga); Office of the Provincial Agriculture of Bulacan (Ma. Gloria SF. Carillo); and Zamboanga City Water District (Archiless Braulio, Leonardo Rey Vasquez)

Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and People’s Organizations – Ayala Foundation, Barangay Renewable Energy Community Development Association (Enecita and Edwin Fiel); Clean Air Asia (Bjarne Pedersen, Robyn Garner); Greenland Asparagus Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Roger Pascual, Tengan Maranding); Health Action Information Network (Dr. Edelina Dela Paz), Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines (Corazon Paras); Kawayan Fisherfolks Association (Juanito Padol); Moguing Organic Farmers Association (Jaime Lambrinto, Rogelio Bingson); Philippines Business for Social Progress (Eric Camacho), Philippine Council for NGO Certification (Luis Morales, Victoria Garchitorena);Tanging Yaman Foundation (George Gaskell); Tulay sa Pag-unlad, Participatory Research, Organization of Communities and Education towards Struggle for Self-reliance (Emilia Roslinda, Maribel Acierto); Puentespina Orchid Farms (Charita Puentespina); and Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance, Inc. (Jobel Foliente)

Hospitals and Clinics – Barangay West Crame, San Juan City Health Care Center; Klinika Bernardo (Janna Arivan); Well-Family Midwife Clinic (Carolina Millan); TB Task Force volunteers (Maple Villarte and Virginal Tungol)

USAID Project Beneficiaries – Susana Sandoval Abo, Aeliza Alipati, Juvy Borja, Alven Bueson, Rolanda Caba Sr., Marites Estolano, Rodrigo Evardo, Adela Floresta, Catalina Jensen, Joseph Acosta Mason, Francis Miranda, Carlo Panelo, Pato Pastollero, Engr. Renaldo Perez-Ramos, Dr. Ann de los Reyes, Jannie Sampani, Juliana Silva, Danica Silva, Lowie Sumook; and Rosario Sumook

Judiciary – Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 23 (Judge Zoraida Tuazon), Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Mexico and San Luis, Pampanga (Judge Richard Evangelista)

Private Companies – Cebu Pacific (Hazel Gonzales and Kara Tropicales); Dahis Porterage (Mostapa Omping); D’ Farmers Market Fruits and Pastries Center (Candelario Miculob); Green Peace Emission Testing Center (Oliver Uy); Shell Philippines (Karla Lukban Zarate and Marivic Javier); San Agustin Fishing (Marfenio Tan); and SUL Orchids (Salvacion Uy- Leuenberger) Supreme Court Project Management Office - Nestor U. Venturillo

Local government of Libmanan, Camarines Sur – Mayor Marilyn Jimenez

Limitations

Local government of Cortes, Bohol – Mayor Lynn Iven P. Lim

This publication is not an exhaustive account of USAID’s contribution to the Philippines since USAID was established more than 50 years ago. It presents experiences of beneficiaries from select programs that help to exemplify the U.S.-Philippines’ partnership in development.

Local government of Maasim, Sarangani – Mayor Aniceto Lopez Local government of Mabini, Batangas – Mayor Nilo Villanueva, Charito Bilale Local government of Surallah, South Cotabato – Engr. Yolanda Plaira Local government of Talibon, Bohol – Mayor Restituto B. Auxtero, Ponciana C. Cruda, Geofrey S. Villamil

Many details were omitted for the sake of brevity. Readers who are interested in more information about the projects and programs can refer to the USAID Philippines’ website at www.usaid.gov/philippines, as well as project reports, evaluations and assessments, which are available in the Development Experience Clearinghouse at https://dec.usaid.gov.

Notes The currency conversion used in this document is US $1 = PHP 49.

Local government of Tubigon, Bohol – Noel Mendaña Networks – Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (Tina Rezvani)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

“USAID was our strongest partner. They gave us the space to think.

They gave us the space to plan.” — Governor Edgardo M. Chatto, Bohol

28

n n n

n

44

DEDICATION

vii

n

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ix

n

MESSAGE FROM U.S. EMBASSY PHILIPPINES MESSAGE FROM USAID

MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

xv

n

xvi

n

n

n

xvii

80

WHO WE ARE

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When Local Leaders Rise

OUR MISSION

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Expediting Justice Delivery in Philippine Courts 20

INTRODUCTION

1

TIMELINE OF USAID 5 ASSISTANCE IN THE PHILIPPINES DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE

n

14

DISASTER RELIEF AND RECOVERY

Rebuilding Life After Yolanda 28 n

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Rural Banks Propel the Success of Microenterprise 38

Opening Gateways to Asia n

96

44

EDUCATION

Educating with Pride

and Passion 50 Paving Multiple Avenues for Higher Learning n

54

62

n

68

Securing the City’s Water Supply for Future Generations 74 n

ENVIRONMENT

Solar Panels Take Homes Out of the Dark

Fishermen Turn Against Destructive Fishing

HEALTH

Saving Moms and Babies

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MINDANAO PEACE AND STABILITY

Making the Land of Promise a Reality

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Mindanao Youth Build Skills to Help Rebuild the City 102

Improving Health Care Access 86

n

EPILOGUE

Lightening the TB Burden

n

REFERENCES 108

90

106

The Philippines, Southeast Asia’s oldest democracy, is a key development, trade and security partner with the United States.

Since assuming my duties as U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines in December 2016, I have seen the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) profound impact in education, the environment, economic development, health, democracy and governance. As I travel around the country, I am touched by the spirit of Filipinos and impressed by the Philippine commitment to build a better life for their family, their community and their country. The American people share this value — a lasting hope for a brighter future. In this way, the U.S. government, through USAID, contributes to the security and prosperity of both the Philippines and the United States.

MESSAGE FROM U.S. EMBASSY PHILIPPINES

Congratulations on a job well done! I look forward to our continued partnership and friendship with the Philippines. I am confident that the contributions that USAID makes will help advance the development goals of this great country and its people.

— Ambassador Sung Y. Kim U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, (2016 - Present)

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The National Economic and Development Authority warmly congratulates the USAID on its landmark publication, Power of Partnership: 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines.

The United States and the Philippines share a longstanding relationship underpinned by our shared history, shared democratic values, strong people-topeople ties and commitment to peace. Since 1961, the United States Government, through the USAID, has supported the Philippine government to become a more stable, prosperous and well-governed nation.

The photo book gives readers a glimpse of the depth and breadth of USAID’s contribution to the Philippines from 1961 to 2016, capturing stories of change and of how Filipinos have benefited and continue to reap from USAID’s projects.

Through the years, USAID has worked closely with its Philippine partners — from grassroots communities, civil society, academia, businesses, local governments and national level agencies — to help the country achieve its development objectives.

Our projects span several key areas: democracy and governance, economic growth, education, health, environment, humanitarian assistance, and peace and stability in Mindanao.

MESSAGE FROM USAID

Our collaboration has been fruitful and filled with learning and growth. In this book, you will read 15 stories of how USAID has helped transform the lives of generations of Filipinos. Although this is not an exhaustive account of what we have achieved, it offers the reader a glimpse of the breadth of our collaboration to achieve our mutual development goals.

The stories included in this book showcase extraordinary men and women who inspired us with their dreams, creativity and perseverance to improve the quality of life, not only for themselves, but for their communities.

With this in mind, USAID is moving forward with renewed strength and hope that the best is yet to be for the Philippines. We remain the country’s partner in development, and we look forward to continuing to support the Filipino people in the years to come.

We value the Philippine government’s partnership with USAID that has stayed strong for over five decades — one that is built on mutual respect and shared values. By supporting us in our development objectives, USAID has helped bring about transformations in education, health, environment, peace and stability, economic growth, governance and humanitarian assistance.

MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

The stories featured in this book allow readers to understand how USAID’s contribution translates into positive change on the ground. We read stories of the power of groups working together to achieve big dreams, stories of innovation sparked by Filipinos’ ingenuity, and lessons learned from the challenges faced along the way, like poverty, disaster and political instability.

Through complementing government programs, we thank USAID for its support in ensuring that Filipinos have equal access to development opportunities and effective and responsive social safety nets.

Again, congratulations for putting together this visual account of our long and meaningful journey. May it help inspire more partnerships as the country moves forward in its goal of achieving sustained and inclusive growth.

Mabuhay!

— Gloria D. Steele Acting Assistant Administrator, Asia Bureau, USAID USAID Philippines Mission Director, (2010-2015)

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POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

— Ernesto M. Pernia Socioeconomic Planning Secretary

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WHO WE ARE

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies.

U.S. foreign assistance has the two-fold purpose of furthering national interests, while improving lives in the developing world. USAID contributes to U.S. foreign policy goals by promoting broad-scale human progress at the same time it encourages stable, free societies, opens up markets and trade partners for the United States and fosters goodwill abroad.

USAID works in over 100 countries to: • • • • • • • • •

Promote broadly shared economic prosperity; Strengthen democracy and good governance; Protect human rights; Improve global health; Advance food security and agriculture; Improve environmental sustainability; Further education; Help societies prevent and recover from conflicts; and Provide humanitarian assistance in the wake of natural and man-made disasters.

Part of the U.S. Embassy in Manila, USAID is the principal arm of the U.S. Government that provides technical and financial assistance to partner countries, such as the Philippines, and their citizens.

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POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

OUR MISSION

We partner to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing security and prosperity. In the last 20 years alone, economic growth, bolstered by human ingenuity and entrepreneurship around the world, has reduced poverty rates by half.

Now, for the first time in history, we have the tools, technologies and approaches to finish the job. We are working to end extreme poverty and help men, women and children live in societies that provide for their health, security and well-being.

USAID is implementing a new model of development that engages talent and innovation everywhere to achieve extraordinary goals. We’re working to change the way we do development, with new partnerships, a greater emphasis on innovation, integration with local leadership and a relentless focus on measuring and delivering results.

Supporting the world’s most vulnerable populations and helping millions live in resilient, democratic societies is the right thing to do. And in doing so, we strengthen our national and global security, energize economies and bolster a safer, more prosperous future for all.

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INTRODUCTION

From 1951 to 1957, the National Economic Council — the precursor of the National Economic Development Authority — and the International Cooperation Administration pursued projects in agriculture and natural resources, mining, transportation, labor, health and sanitation, education, public administration and community development. In agriculture, they initiated projects that boosted farm production. The rural development program improved facilities for agricultural production, agricultural research, agricultural extension, and soil survey and conservation, among others. For instance, the Forest Products Laboratory was built in Los Baños. It was the biggest and best equipped of its kind in Southeast Asia in the late1950s.

U.S. support provided equipment, built schools and supported curriculum development for primary and secondary education.

Vocational and university-level instructors participated in teacher training workshops to enhance their teaching skills. Staff and professors from universities, as well as technicians, benefited from advanced education opportunities in their field by joining training programs in partnership with U.S. universities.

In transportation, the construction and improvement of roads, highways, feeder roads and bridges, port facilities, navigational aids, and flood control linked communities and propelled the growth of commerce. The National Economic Council and the International Cooperation Administration built sources of safe drinking water for rural communities and funded campaigns against life-threatening diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis.

President John F. Kennedy signs the Foreign Aid Bill in the Oval Office on August 1, 1962.

“The Power of Partnership: 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines” celebrates more than five decades of collaboration between the peoples and governments of the Philippines and United States. The roots of the relationship between the two countries run deep, and the partnership remains strong.

In the Philippines, U.S. assistance started as the country was rising from the ashes of World War II. Manila, the capital, lay in ruins, with around 70 percent of the utilities, 75 percent of the factories and 80 percent of the southern residential district damaged.

The business district was razed. Pursuant to the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946, the U.S. Congress set up the Philippine War Damage Commission and spent about $400 million to compensate private claims and rebuild damaged or destroyed infrastructure.

In November 1950, President Elpidio Quirino signed a preliminary agreement with President Harry Truman’s representative, William C. Foster, to start a program of social, economic and technical assistance and cooperation worth $250 million. U.S. assistance rested on the belief that the recipient government’s prudent use of these instruments would increase political stability in Southeast Asia. The assistance complemented the Philippine government’s goals of peace and order, economic welfare and external security.

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POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

The U.S. Government’s contribution to this joint project came in the form of commodities, technical assistance and advice, as well as technical services. By May 1957, the U.S. Congress had authorized the disbursement of $173 million to the Philippine Economic Assistance Program, while the Philippine government had authorized PHP156 million as counterpart funds to finance joint projects.

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 established USAID to help developing nations achieve self-sustained economic growth. In the Philippines, projects focused on rural development to increase the economic productivity and income of rural families. The Agency emphasized socio-economic development that improved agriculture, particularly the plight of workers.

In 1973, USAID prioritized growth with equity and basic human needs. From its focus on building infrastructure and promoting policy reform, the Agency transformed into a provider of technical expertise for key sectors that are relevant to the rural poor, such as education, health, governance and transport, among others. Programs were designed to help civil society participate actively and build relationships with the private sector. Initiatives promoted good governance, as well as the growth of environmentally sustainable and resilient communities.

The 1980s was a pivotal period for the Philippines, marked by a return of democratic institutions. USAID responded to the need for people-centered governance by working more with local civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations.

From 1990 to 1995, USAID provided technical assistance through the Local Development Assistance project to help establish the landmark Local Government Code of 1991, a law to decentralize government functions and strengthen local government units. In the same period, USAID supported good governance initiatives and assisted local governments to apply the Local Government Code to enable more active community participation in managing natural resources.

The U.S. again responded to Philippine needs when it heeded a call from then President Fidel V. Ramos for greater assistance to Mindanao. The region is one of the most marginalized areas in the country, due to armed conflict and poor access to basic services, among other development challenges. From 1994 to 2012, USAID’s projects supported the peace process and POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

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stimulated equitable economic growth through infrastructure development, business growth, workforce preparation, governance improvement and reintegration of former combatants. Other projects worked in disaster relief and rehabilitation in the Visayas and Mindanao regions and helped communities adapt to changes in the environment.

Recent years have seen a shift to promote sustainable development and equitable growth. USAID projects have continued to address needs and challenges in education, health, livelihoods, the judiciary, local government capacity, the environment, and disaster risk reduction and preparedness. Country strategies have focused on accelerating and sustaining inclusive growth in the Philippines, as well as supporting partner cities outside Metro Manila to fulfill their potential as engines of inclusive economic growth.

In 2011, the governments of the U.S. and the Philippines embarked on an initiative known as the Partnership for Growth, which aims to unlock the growth potential of partner countries, so that they become the next generation of emerging markets, opening up avenues for mutual economic benefits. USAID’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy 2013-2019 provides direction to implement the Partnership for Growth. The strategy focuses on accelerating and sustaining broad-based, equitable and inclusive economic growth, enhancing peace and stability in conflict areas, and improving environmental resilience by reducing the risks from natural disasters and improving the management of natural resources. The U.S. Government’s partnership with the Philippines supports the priorities of the Philippine Development Plan to achieve inclusive and resilient economic growth.

It supports institutional reform at the national and local levels to mobilize domestic and foreign investment. By reinforcing the development of a more stable, prosperous and well-governed nation, USAID strengthens the Philippines as a geopolitically important ally in Southeast Asia, while cementing strong people-to-people ties and goodwill in one of America’s oldest security partners in the region.

About this book The history of USAID’s work in the Philippines shows its responsiveness to the needs and aspirations of the Filipino people in ways that improve the prosperity and security for both our nations. Its projects, which span several sectors, have helped transform the local development landscape. The Power of Partnership features 15 carefully selected stories of change, which represent USAID’s significant contributions to the national and local socio-economic development and the well-being of millions of Filipinos.

These cases show the impacts of various development projects related to democracy and governance, disaster relief and recovery, economic growth, education, health and Mindanao peace and stability. More importantly, they highlight the real heroes of the stories — the Filipino people, including parents, teachers, youth, patients, judges, fisherfolk and small enterprise owners.

The U.S.-Philippine relations embody a commitment to fostering broad-based and inclusive growth and a responsiveness to emerging global concerns. The relationship is ultimately one of long-term friendship, not just between governments, but between the peoples of the United States and the Philippines.

RIGHT PHOTO In a trade fair in Zamboanga, graduates of a USAID-sponsored skills development program sell vegetables they grew themselves.

USAID improves basic education competencies, life skills and employability of approximately 19,000 at-risk youth in conflictaffected areas in Mindanao.

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POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

TIMELINE OF USAID ASSISTANCE IN THE PHILIPPINES

1946

1961-1964: National rehabilitation and basic infrastructure This era began with the first bilateral agreement between the U.S. and the Philippines — the Quirino-Foster Agreement — and ended with the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the establishment of USAID as the lead agency responsible for administering U.S. economic development assistance abroad.The primary economic goal was urban, industrial development.

1950

5

1960

POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

Thomas C. Niblock – 1969 to 1974

1965-1973: Transition to rural development

1974-1986:

By 1965, USAID was shifting from its earlier urban industrial development strategy toward a rural development focus. Short-term technical assistance targeted small-scale activities in agriculture, social services and community development.

New directions: rural development and local capacity building

1965

The Agency backed national agriculture and rural development programs, and emphasized attaining rice self-sufficiency in the Philippines.

USAID initiated similar concerted programs in related areas and other sectors due to the encouraging results of the rice production program.

1975

It helped establish institutions and systems, such as the Agricultural Extension Service, the National Irrigation Administration, the Bureau of Plant and Industry, the Bureau of Soils and Forestry, the rural banking system, farm cooperatives, and agricultural credit agencies.

By 1974, USAID’s strategy was shifting to meet the basic human needs of the poorest segments of the rural population. Development philosophy worldwide was evolving, and the emphasis moved to assisting marginalized sectors. USAID responded by assisting Filipino farmers and fisherfolk in a systematic and sustained way.

At that time, the agricultural sector employed approximately 47 percent of the workforce, but agricultural workers received only 29 percent of the country’s income.This resulted in a significantly lower standard of living for rural Filipinos. USAID initiated rural development projects in the poorest regions of the country, specifically Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas.

Research assistants work on an experimental plot at the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna. From 1965 to 1973, USAID’s work reinforced the national agricultural and rural development programs and emphasized attaining rice self-sufficiency.

USAID implemented a complementary approach by funding a wide range of basic institutions and national services. USAID helped establish national government agencies, educational institutions, and trained administrative and technical personnel to carry out government functions.

With funding from USAID, Catholic Relief Services provided disaster relief following Typhoon Dading in 1964.

Since USAID’s establishment in 1961, the United States has provided the Philippines with development assistance worth $5.36 billion, including $524 million in food aid, to help the Philippines achieve its development goals.

The Agency has helped develop the country’s infrastructure, provide training and technical assistance, increase agricultural productivity and economic growth, promote sustainable environmental management, improve health and education, and foster democracy and decentralization.

The Quirino-Foster Agreement assisted the Philippines to improve production, establishing a more diversified economy and increasing the income of industrial and agricultural laborers to enhance social and economic well-being in the Philippines.

Wesley C. Haraldson – 1965 to 1967

Simultaneously, USAID strengthened local government planning and implementation capabilities, advancing the decentralization of government functions. Support for the development of civil society also began during this period.The private sector orientation of the U.S. in the 1980s prompted a fresh look at the job-creating and growth-expanding powers of private sector investment. As a result, USAID began working with international civil society organizations (CSOs) to increase private sector participation in development.

Garnett A. Zimmerly – 1975 to 1976

James H. Ingersoll – 1962 to 1965 Peter M. Cody – 1976 to 1979

Anthony M. Schwarzwalder – 1979 to 1984

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Frederick W. Schieck – 1984 to 1988 Malcolm H. Butler – 1988 to 1992 1994-1999:

1987-1993:

New U.S.-Philippine partnership for democracy and development

Restarting national growth: support for democracy and private sector development With the end of the Marcos regime, the U.S. closely worked with the Philippine government to help re-invigorate the national economy and development programs.The Multilateral Assistance Initiative, more widely known as the Philippine Assistance Program, concentrated on economic stability and growth.

1986

With the closing of U.S. military bases in Subic and Clark, USAID’s development strategy placed more emphasis on trade and less emphasis on aid.The strategy included initiatives to assist the country to become a model Newly Industrialized Country, in line with the region’s strong growth.

The Agency also established programs to help solve worldwide problems, such as environmental issues and HIV/AIDS. Democracy and civil society work moved from the national to local levels and focused on broad participation in public policymaking.

The United States’ development strategies improved macroeconomic management, encouraged domestic and international private sector development, and alleviated sector-specific constraints to growth through policy-based sector assistance.The strategies also emphasized improved health and more sustainable population growth during this era.

2000-2004: Revitalizing the economy and transforming governance to accelerate sustainable growth USAID provided critical and comprehensive technical assistance during the early and middle years of the Estrada administration and the recovery period from the Asian financial crisis.

The Agency capitalized on its comparative advantages to improve the investment climate through economic policy reforms, competition and transparency promotion and work to address corruption.

USAID’s Food for Peace Program implemented the “nutribun” program in the early 1970s as a supplementary feeding program for public elementary schoolchildren. Each bun provided approximately one-third of the recommended dietary allowance of energy and protein for schoolage children.

Thomas W. Stukel, Jr. – 1992 to 1994 Kenneth G. Schofield – 1994 to 1998

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POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

Enhanced security and accelerated progress toward sustainable, equitable growth

2005 USAID and the Philippine government jointly funded the construction of a new airport in General Santos City costing $48.6 million. This helped General Santos become the gateway to the Central Mindanao region.

Patricia K. Buckles –1998 to 2002

Jon D. Lindborg – 2005 to 2009

Linemen installing an electric meter for cooperative members as part of USAID’s rural electrification programming during the 1960s and 1970s.

2005-2009:

To do this, the Agency collaborated closely with other donors, encouraged environmentally sustainable practices and employed market-based mechanisms to promote family planning and reforms in health services.

1995 USAID’s Child Survival Program, implemented in partnership with the Department of Health from 1989 to 1994, improved immunization coverage of children and prenatal care for pregnant women in all 75 provinces of the Philippines. A major accomplishment of the program was the decentralization of health planning to the provincial level.

2000

During the mid-2000s, USAID supported the long-term development goal of “sustainable, equitable prosperity and peace” by focusing on five programs: (a) enhancing security by helping reduce conflict in Mindanao and other areas vulnerable to violence; (b) supporting improved performance of selected government institutions; (c) promoting the health and well-being of Filipinos by improving and decentralizing service delivery, increasing private sector involvement, heightening awareness of family planning, and reforming policy; (d) strengthening management and governance of life-sustaining natural resources, improving urban environmental management, and promoting reliable and cleaner energy; and (e) increasing access to quality education in the conflictaffected areas of Mindanao and supporting broader education sector policy reform. All programs emphasized assistance in Mindanao, particularly in conflict-affected areas, and built and capitalized on important earlier investments.

Michael J. Yates, Ph.D. – 2002 to 2005

POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

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2012-2018: A more stable, prosperous and well-governed nation – the Partnership for Growth

2009-2012: A more prosperous, well-governed and stable democracy that is able to meet the needs of its people, especially the poor USAID’s assistance supported the Philippine government’s commitment to improving livelihoods and education, strengthening fiscal policies, and promoting local development and national harmony. Programs addressed constraints to trade and investment, fostered greater competition, and encouraged contract enforcement and adherence to the rule of law.

2010

To move forward in the fight against corruption, the Agency supported judicial and public financial management reforms. Significant investment to reduce poverty improved the quality of and access to education, clean water, sanitation and health services and biodiversity conservation. To promote peace and security, USAID bolstered counter-terrorism actions and addressed maritime security concerns.

In November 2011, the Philippine and U.S. governments agreed to a new Partnership for Growth to address the binding constraints to economic growth and development in the Philippines. USAID is also working to strengthen the economic competitiveness and resilience of secondary and tertiary cities outside of Metro Manila through the Cities Development Initiative, which was launched in 2014. This seeks to advance the development of cities outside the capital as engines of growth that is inclusive, environmentally sustainable and resilient.

USAID recognizes the key role of inclusive growth in enhancing stability and security in both the U.S. and the Philippines. In the next several years, USAID will support priorities of the Philippine government’s 0+10 socioeconomic agenda and the 2017-2022 Philippine Development Plan toward a Partnership for Growth with Equity, recognizing that inclusive growth impacts significantly on economic and social well-being and reduces vulnerability of marginalized populations to extremism.

Gloria D. Steele – 2010 to 2015

Susan K. Brems, Ph.D. – 2015 to present

2016 LEFT PHOTO Gloria D. Steele, former USAID Mission Director stands with former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario (left) and former U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg (right). The U.S. and Philippine governments share a long history of working towards mutual development goals.

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POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

Madrasah students from Mindanao receive schoolbags and learning materials from USAID in 2007. From 1992 to 2012, USAID supported the Philippine government’s call for greater assistance to Mindanao.

DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE

RIGHT PHOTO USAID works to enhance good governance by working with the judiciary to increase access to justice, improve the efficiency of the courts, and foster integrity and accountability in the justice system.

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Developing Champions of Local Governance USAID’s Governance and Local Development (GOLD) project, implemented from 1995 to 2001, came at a pivotal time when local government units needed to develop local champions in participatory governance.

WHEN LOCAL LEADERS RISE

In the case of Bohol, the local government had to strategize and retool its workforce to achieve its long-term goal of becoming a dynamic and responsive institution that provides responsible and participatory governance.

“The more power you give to the people, the better it will be for them.”

— Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. principal author of the Local Government Code of 1991, which devolved the provision of basic services and facilities to the local government

Six-thousand-year-old Danajon Bank in Bohol is the only double barrier reef in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia. It is a rare geological phenomenon built by coral growth.

USAID has helped train local fish wardens on fisheries laws and local ordinances that will protect Danajon Bank.

Bohol was one of the nine provinces and two cities that became USAID’s partners through the project. Chatto was among the leaders who were trained under its client-oriented paradigm, which emphasized people as partners — not merely beneficiaries — in development.Through USAID’s assistance, local champions tapped a wide and diverse community of stakeholders to form partnerships.The local champions identified new approaches to help local governments address community issues, particularly in the management of natural resources. Beyond this, the local champions worked with local governments to turn their plans into realities.

“Before the Local Government Code was enacted into law, the “The project enabled us to cement strong partnerships among local governments relied on the central authority to provide all the directions.The local governments just adopted the programs the government for development, civil society and the private sector,” stated Chatto. of the national government and brought these down to the local level.The code was a big step toward empowering local Transforming Bohol into an Ecotourism Destination governments and opening doors for people’s participation in governance,” said Bohol Governor Edgardo M. Chatto.

Bohol’s local government formulated a development plan The enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 resulted based on its core strengths and resources. “In Bohol, we have our warm, hospitable people and a pristine environment,” in the devolution of power from the national government to Chatto said. the local governments.The code gave local officials greater autonomy to use their own resources to deliver public goods By tapping these two resources, the province carved its and services and encouraged citizen participation in decisionpath toward becoming an ecotourism model in the country, making. The local governments were empowered to tailor their assisted by planning tools introduced by USAID, such as services to issues more specific to their respective needs, such local government strategic planning workshops, community as social welfare, health care and environmental management. environmental planning workshops, multi-sector technical The code provided ambitious provinces such as Bohol with working groups and environment summits. numerous opportunities for growth.

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Governor Edgardo Chatto meets with constituents to discuss priority issues for the province of Bohol. The governor is a champion of promoting partnership between the local government and the people to achieve inclusive growth.

The province also crafted the Bohol Environment Code of 1998, the first environment code prepared by any local government unit in the country. The code contains policies to protect the province’s natural resources and to promote a brand of tourism that cares for the environment.

“The community helped identify the foundational value of the environment as [Bohol’s] major engine of growth,” Chatto offered.

The province also committed itself to sound environmental management to attain its vision to be a prime eco-cultural destination and a strong, balanced agro-industrial province.

USAID, through its GOLD project, helped the local government identify eco-cultural destinations and activities that became Bohol’s major tourism draws. These include the Chocolate Hills, river cruises such as the community life tour in Abatan River, and kayaking activities along the reforested mangrove forests. Sanctuaries and parks for the protection of the iconic tarsier — the world’s smallest primate — are also favorite destinations.

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TOP PHOTO Strong citizen and local government support of the area’s management plan is crucial to maintaining the bounty and beauty of ecotourism sites. At the Abatan River Community Life Tour, the Abatan River Development Management Council shows tourists locally-made food and craft products. They also discuss the rich natural resources of the river and the livelihood that Boholanos derive from them, such as weaving the nipa palm leaves into baskets, bags and thatched roofs.

USAID, through the GOLD project, helped strengthen the capacity of local governments to identify environmental issues, facilitate community solutions, allocate revenues and sustain community action.

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“Development has always been strengthened by partnerships.

Bohol’s ace is its strong publicprivate sector partnership in governance. We brought in the best minds, empowered our people and engaged them from the visioning and planning stage.”

Bohol is now a premier eco-cultural tourism destination in the country. It has become a model of good local governance and it has consistently shown that active citizen participation contributes to provincial and national growth and reduces poverty. From a high 52 percent in 2000, Bohol’s poverty incidence dropped significantly to 27 percent in 2015.

Power to the People Every year, about half a million visitors arrive at the airport of Tagbilaran, the capital city of Bohol. The Department of Transportation expects arrivals to double or triple once the international airport in Panglao Island, a premier tourist destination southwest of Bohol, becomes operational in 2017.

The local government welcomes these signs of growth and looks forward to brighter prospects in the province’s health, education, agriculture and tourist sectors. “We are happy with the kind of investments that are flowing into our province.

HEAT IT (Health, Education, Agriculture, Tourism, Information Technology), Bohol! has become a catchphrase for its vision of further developing the province, with emphasis on these five areas,” said Chatto.

Edgardo M. Chatto, Governor of Bohol —

The success of Bohol has shown that island provinces with robust tourism offerings can be transformed into strong local economies. This would not have been possible without the partnerships with active stakeholders that increase global competitiveness.

LEFT PHOTO With the support of the local government and NGOs, fishing communities in Bohol have diversified their livelihoods to include ecotourism. In Cambuhat, Buenavista, women run village tours and manage upland resources while the men handle tourists’ boat rides and manage oyster farms and coastal resources.

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POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

According to former Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., principal author of the Local Government Code, “The biggest influence and legacy of USAID is on how it has demonstrated the concept that sovereignty resides in the people. The more power you give to the people, the better it will be for them. The power to initiate, legislate and implement policies through local ordinances is a very good legacy from USAID,” Pimentel said.

Truly, big changes are possible when local leaders and strong partners rise to the challenge of development for the people. n

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USAID worked with the Supreme Court in its Judicial Sector Reform Project to expand access to more efficient, reliable and affordable court services through a nationwide system of small claims courts.

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payment or reimbursement of money below PHP200,000 ($4,000).

Before the establishment of the small claims court system, thousands of cases involving inexepensive claims dragged on for months in first-level courts because of the multiple motions filed by lawyers that delay cases. The time and expense required by the ordinary litigation process were so disproportionate to the claims involved in cases that they discouraged a just resolution of disputes.

EXPEDITING JUSTICE DELIVERY IN PHILIPPINE COURTS “[The judiciary] should be considered as a key element in the promotion of inclusive, sustainable and equitable economic growth, especially for those who are poor and marginalized in developing countries.”

— Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno

Court cases for resolution used to pile up on the table of Judge Ma. Zoraida Zabat-Tuazon of the Metropolitan Trial Court, Branch 23, in Manila. “It was quite a challenge seeing my caseload at that time, especially when it came to resolving older cases,” Tuazon recalled of the time when she was the lower court judge in 2006.

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POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

In contrast, the small claims court system ensures a swift and inexpensive means of resolving small claims cases by providing simple filing procedures for claimants. The procedures replace formal pleadings with simple forms in English and Filipino. Court personnel help litigants complete these forms, eliminating the need for assistance from lawyers.

The system prohibits certain pleadings that tend to delay cases through legal technicalities, such as motions for postponement, and cross-claims and counterclaims. To lessen the cost of litigation and reduce time in the resolution of cases, the system also prohibits lawyers from representing the litigants during hearings.

Moreover, the system requires the courts to decide cases only at the first hearing. It renders the decision of small claims courts final and not open to appeal.

The delay in the resolution of cases under Tuazon and other judges has diminished public trust in the judicial system. This prompted the Supreme Court to implement, with USAID support, the Judicial Sector Reform project nationwide from 2009 to 2012.

The Supreme Court piloted the small claims court system in 2008 in 44 first-level courts, including the Metropolitan Trial Court under Tuazon. Building upon the pilot, the Judicial Sector Reform project was launched in 2009. By 2010, the Supreme Court had designated 1,137 first-level courts to hear small claims cases.

Increased Access to Justice

Reduction of Case Length and Backlog

The Judicial Sector Reform project increased people’s access to more efficient, reliable and affordable court services by establishing a small claims court system in first-level courts where people, usually with civil cases, could file claims for

By the end of 2012, the small claims court system had reduced the length of case litigation in first-level courts to 1.4 months from the 2010 baseline of four to six months.

In February 2016, the Court Management Office of the

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Supreme Court reported that 83 percent of the total of 102,259 small claims cases filed nationwide had been resolved.

“I reduced my backlog by more than 50 percent in two years with persistence, hard work and the help of USAID’s Judicial Sector Reform project,” Tuazon said.

Meanwhile, Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno lauded USAID’s assistance in increasing the court’s efficiency. “If we sustain this efficiency on a national basis and our monitoring is strict, we can prove how fast the system can work.”

USAID provided financial and technical assistance through the American Bar Association-Rule of Law Initiative.

Assistance featured training sessions for judges and court personnel on the Amended Rules of Procedure on Small Claims; distribution of applicable materials on the Amended Rules; development, printing and distribution of a Small Claims Handbook for Judges and Court Personnel and small claims materials to increase public awareness and understanding of the new small claims courts and procedures; and the development and installation of a Small Claims Case Monitoring System in first-level courts. The Small Claims Case Monitoring System is an automated reporting tool that functions primarily as a repository of small claims case information and statistical data, as well as a facility to transmit these data from the first-level courts to the Office of the Court Administrator.

Modernized Case Management USAID also promoted the use of technology to manage cases under what is called the Philippine electronic court system or eCourt, an automated case management system.

It was developed to increase court efficiency by providing a modern tool for judges and court personnel to monitor, manage and process cases, and for court officials to monitor performance.

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“The use of court-overseen settlement procedures in small claims cases has shortened overall case duration and increased settlement of cases.”

—

Judge Ma. Zoraida ZabatTuazon reduced case backlog by more than 50 percent in two years with the help of USAID’s Judicial Sector Reform project.

American Bar Association-Rule of Law Initiative

The eCourt provides an integrated system to facilitate the process of handling cases, from “filing all the way to judgment,” Sereno said. It speeds up decision-making and reduces case backlogs through the automated monitoring of cases. It also makes information more accessible to the public access and boosts transparency, as people can ascertain the status of cases through computers in public kiosks in court lobbies.

The eCourt uses the Automated Hearing System, which transforms the courtroom into an automated trial forum.

This means that, during a trial, every activity is captured electronically, including orders issued by the judge, minutes of the hearing conducted, judge’s notes on testimony taken, markings of evidence, issuance of writs, and other court processes. This speeds up the preparation of court orders, which contending parties can now receive prior to leaving the courtroom.

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In 2010, Quezon City Trial Courts piloted the eCourt and officially launched it in 2013. The eCourt has since been adopted in different cities throughout the Philippines, including Angeles, Davao, Cebu, Mactan, Tacloban, Makati, Pasig, Mandaluyong and Manila.

In January 2017, Sereno said that the eCourt would be fully operational by the end of the year in 297 trial courts nationwide. Its continuing and widespread use exemplifies how USAID’s partnership with the Supreme Court has succeeded in harnessing technology for transparency and good governance in the judiciary. n

“The Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases addresses the acute need of low-income people for justice that is faster, more accessible and less costly.

With this new Rule of Procedure for Small Claims Cases, we are drawing nearer to our dream of justice for the poor.”

—

Hon. Justice Reynato S. Puno, 22nd chief justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines

A study by the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative in 2015 showed that the Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases has effectively reduced the age of disposed cases from an average of five months to two months.

DISASTER RELIEF AND RECOVERY

RIGHT PHOTO Construction workers and engineers build a strong foundation for one of the more than 300 classrooms that the U.S. Government constructed in Typhoon Yolanda-affected Leyte and Samar Provinces. USAID partners with the Philippine government to reconstruct and rehabilitate areas affected by typhoons, floods and other natural disasters. USAID helps restore access to education and health services and promotes livelihood activities, so that communities can build back better.

“This project is a testimony to our conviction that has turned into reality.”

Melfe Grance Sanchez, school principal of Palo Central School —

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erected to provide adequate, suitable and safe learning spaces for students.

The new school building replaced an old, wooden structure that experienced ankle-high floods during the rainy season. The site, similar to sites in most of Tacloban City, is situated in lowlying, flood-prone areas.

REBUILDING LIFE AFTER YOLANDA

“In the past, my feet would get muddy when I attended classes during the rainy season,” said Sumook. “When I saw my new classroom, I felt happy because I knew that it would keep me clean and comfortable while studying.”

“After seeing the devastation by Yolanda, I thought I would never go back to school and live a normal life again.”

— Lowie Sumook Yolanda survivor in Tacloban, Leyte

Lowie Sumook was only 9 years old when Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan) hit Tacloban City in central Philippines in November 2013. He was among the students who had to stop school after the typhoon put the city and other provinces in a state of calamity.

The storm surge and strong winds damaged buildings, toppled trees and ripped off roofs. Now in the sixth grade, Lowie attends classes in the newly built five-classroom school building of Panalaron Central Elementary School. The school building, constructed by USAID, is elevated three meters above the ground and has thick, reinforced concrete walls to help it withstand floods, strong typhoons and earthquakes.

Resilient Classrooms The school is one of the more than 300 weather-resilient classrooms that USAID, through its Rebuild project, has LEFT PHOTO The U.S. Government built and furnished more than 300 classrooms in Tacloban City and Leyte; the classrooms benefited about 38,000 students.

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POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

Sixth-grade teacher Concepcion Lloren, who has been teaching in Panalaron for the last 35 years, said it was normal to hold classes when the classrooms were inundated. “It was disheartening to see the books and the learning materials I have collected for more than 30 years gone, washed away by the storm surge during Yolanda,” said Lloren, who is the academic adviser of Sumook.

School principal Filieta Waniwan lamented the loss of computers that had been installed just months before Yolanda hit. The computers were washed away by the storm, together with books and class records. But with the new school building, she says, “Our students and school records are now safe.”

More Sustainable Livelihood Options North of Tacloban City, communities show signs of recovery as local people harvest their own produce, which is sold in local markets. In the village of Moguing in Burauen municipality, the Moguing Organic Farmers Association harvests its produce of squash, lettuce and other organic vegetables.

USAID provided association members with farm tools and supplies, such as seedlings and fertilizers, to help expand their production of organically grown vegetables and fruits.

The president of the farmers’ association, Remedios Coral Serato, 71, organized former coconut farmers to plant vegetables, boosting their income and food supply. Jaime Lambrinto, 41, is one of the farmers who have received support from USAID to grow corn.

Now he is one of the biggest producers of corn in Sta. Elena Village.

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Aside from farm assistance, fisherfolk in coastal communities in Tacloban learned to raise high-value products, such as milkfish, grouper and crabs. Juanito Padol, president of the Old Kawayan Fisherfolk’s Association, declared that USAID’s assistance helped his organization to start marine aquaculture projects.

They now earn up to PHP120,000 ($2,500) from their milkfish harvest every three months, a portion of which they plow back into the association’s funds for the purchase of some 5,000 juvenile fish for the next harvest.

Yolanda survivors also received support to reconstruct and restock inventories of over 1,000 sari-sari stores (small retail stores). USAID, in partnership with Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble, supplied basic consumer goods that microenterprises could sell to restart their businesses. These shops, found on almost every street in Tacloban City, are mainly run by women.

Transitional Houses, Health Units and Potable Water The typhoon demolished almost 90 percent of homes in Tacloban City. Part of the rehabilitation plan for the city was the eventual transfer of people into safer, permanent houses.

USAID’s rehabilitation work initially constructed transitional shelters for 130 households from 17 barangays that are vulnerable to storm surges.

The long-term assistance provided for the communities also featured rehabilitation of 12 Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course facilities and rural health units in Tacloban City and other municipalities of Leyte province. The units offer tuberculosis control services and safe spaces for women to give birth. USAID assistance reconstructed these facilities to withstand both future typhoons and earthquakes and provided them with furniture and medical equipment.

Rehabilitation work also encompassed actions to provide clean water for affected residents. USAID’s Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability project, in partnership with local governments and water utility companies, rehabilitated water systems for 17 public schools and four health facilities. Leaking water pipes and damaged faucets were replaced in schools, and work assisted communities to install 29

Across Typhoon Yolanda-affected areas, USAID has built 30 agrifishery support facilities and restored livelihood activities by providing equipment and training to 3,215 farmers; 6,920 fisherfolk; and 1,417 micro-, small- and medium-sized entrepreneurs.

USAID constructed 30 livelihood support facilities, such as warehouses, communal irrigation and training centers, to restore income-generating opportunities in Typhoon Yolanda-affected areas.

USAID also installed solar dryers for farmer associations that enabled farmers to deliver higher quality food and reap greater profits.

wind-resistant water tanks. Overall, USAID’s assistance to Leyte helped approximately 231,000 residents regain access to clean drinking water and about 465,000 residents gain access to necessary sanitation facilities.

Rekindling Hope The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, experiencing an average of 20 typhoons a year. Thus, building resilience in communities is crucial; it prepares them to face impending natural calamities, rapidly recover after disasters, and move forward rebuilding their lives.

Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry visited Tacloban in December 2013, just one month after the devastating typhoon.

During his visit, he praised the resilience and strength of the typhoon survivors, declaring, “Last month’s typhoon broke the world’s heart, but what is certain is that it didn’t break the spirit of the people here.” n

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More than 1,000 sari-sari store owners benefited from USAID’s initiative to rehabilitate and restock these stores that serve the community. The U.S. Government also helped supply emergency shelter for 31,000 households.

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POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

USAID, the Department of National Defense and UNICEF restored water access in Tacloban eight days after Typhoon Yolanda.

USAID then partnered with local governments and water utility companies to rehabilitate water systems for 17 public schools, four health facilities and nine municipalities.

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Former Secretary of State John Kerry visited Tacloban in December 2013, where he pledged additional humanitarian aid to survivors of Typhoon Haiyan. The United States has provided more than $251 million in disaster assistance to the Philippines over the last 10 years.

TB patients participate in an education session on adhering to treatment at the USAID-built TB treatment facility of the Carigara District Hospital in Leyte province. Through the Rebuild project, USAID rehabilitated 12 health facilities to serve residents across typhoon-affected areas.

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ECONOMIC GROWTH

RIGHT PHOTO USAID supported the largest infrastructure program in Mindanao, constructing an international airport, bridges and a road system in General Santos City and Eastern Mindanao in the late 1990s. From 2013-2016 alone, USAID helped attract investments to build 2,100 miles of roads in the Philippines, doubling tourism revenues.

Juliana Silva started her scrap trading business in Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas, with PHP5,000.

With the help of the loan she obtained from Bangko Kabayan in 2010, she earned enough profit to settle her debts, acquire new properties and other assets, and further expand her business.

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The Microenterprise Access to Banking Services project helped change the future of microenterprises. A joint project of the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines and USAID from 1997 to 2012, the project helped rural banks offer financial services to small business owners by providing technical assistance, training and on-the-job coaching to banks about best practices in microfinance. Through the project, USAID helped rural banks introduce new savings and loan products to microentrepreneurs and small-scale farmers and apply new technologies, such as mobile phone banking, to expand the frontier of financial services.

RURAL BANKS PROPEL THE SUCCESS OF MICROENTERPRISE “We let go of the collateral-based loan mentality, and this made the bank serve the community better.”

— Teresa Ganzon managing director, Bangko Kabayan in Ibaan, Batangas

Microenterprises play a significant role in developing the Philippine economy. In 2015, microenterprises comprised almost 90 percent of business establishments and accounted for almost 30 percent of total employment in the country, according to Philippines Department of Trade and Industry.

They also serve as valuable partners to large enterprises as suppliers of raw materials, semi-processed products and support services. They offer a breeding ground for both new entrepreneurs and large corporations.

With USAID’s support, 322 rural banks had received technical assistance and training in a range of microfinance services

by June 2012. These services featured microfinance, micro agri-loans, microfinance housing, mobile phone banking and microinsurance.

According to the Central Bank of the Philippines, in 2013, a full 37 percent of cities and municipalities in the country did not have a banking office, but more than 75 percent of the Philippine population owned a mobile phone. Recognizing this as an opportunity to reach underserved Filipinos, USAID, through its Scaling Innovation in Mobile Banking project, partnered with FICO Bank in late 2013 to pioneer mobile phone banking in the Philippines. As a result of the project, 10 million Filipinos were connected with financial services to help them achieve their financial goals, and government transactions became more transparent.

Stories of Success

Bangko Kabayan, a member of the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines based in Ibaan, Batangas, was among the More Access to Banking Services first to be trained under the project. USAID conducted training workshops for Bangko Kabayan personnel on different In the past, commercial banks were unwilling or unable to lend topics, such as market analysis, cash flow-based lending, and to microenterprises because they lacked confidence in the management and record-keeping capacity of microentrepreneurs. risk and remedial management. Fides Ganzon-Ofrecio, head As a result, microentrepreneurs went to loan sharks to borrow of corporate planning of Bangko Kabayan, stated that the funds to expand their businesses.This sent them deeper in debt Agency’s assistance in market research helped them design since they had to pay their loans at exorbitant rates even if they and develop products that best suited their clients’ needs. were not making enough profit yet.

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Susan Sandoval Abo used the loan from Bangko Kabayan in 2007 to expand her business of making and selling nilupak.

Through USAID assistance, Bangko Kabayan adopted microfinance best practices, such as direct marketing, cash flow-based credit assessment and zero tolerance for delinquency. All of these improved the bank’s lending operations significantly.

“The project helped build confidence in cash flow-based lending for small borrowers. We let go of the collateral-based loan mentality,” said Teresa M. Ganzon, the managing director of Bangko Kabayan. Cash flow-based lending refers to the provision of a loan if the business for which the loan will be used has strong potential to earn profit sufficient to repay the loan, as well as run the enterprise, both in the short and long run.

By using cash flow-based lending, Bangko Kabayan encouraged microentrepreneurs to make use of its services, including loans.

Among these microentrepreneurs were Susana Sandoval Abo and Juliana Silva.

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Abo, a client of Bangko Kabayan, sells her special nilupak in Batangas, nearby provinces and Metro Manila. She started her business with only a few thousand pesos from her savings.

USAID helped strengthen the banking industry by serving more than one million new microenterprise borrowers. From close to zero rural banks involved in cash-based microlending in the late 1990s, a full 187 rural banks had become involved in microfinance by the end of the USAID project in 2012.

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TOP PHOTO Atty. Francis S. Ganzon, president of Bangko Kabayan, and Ms. Teresa M. Ganzon, managing director, stated that their participation in USAID’s Microenterprise Access to Banking Services project helped Bangko Kabayan understand their clients and develop product and services that fit their needs.

In 2011, they received the EAGLE (Efficiency, Asset Quality, Growth, Liability Structure and Earnings) award for the sixth time during the National Roundtable Conference participating banks.

LEFT PHOTO Maylene Reyes is a young mother and entrepreneur who saves a part of her earnings with mobile money, thanks to a digital finance innovation introduced by USAID. 41

POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

Abo used the loan she got from Bangko Kabayan in 2007 to expand her business of making and selling nilupak (cassava pudding) in Batangas. By 2016, she had earned enough to buy a house, send her two kids to school and build a savings account.

Through her small store at home, two rental spaces at the local public market and a stall for selling and supplying nilupak, she has contributed to her community. She has hired more than a dozen delivery boys to sell 500 boxes of nilupak in Batangas as well as in nearby provinces and Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, Silva’s scrap trading business in Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas, grew with the help of the loan she obtained from Bangko Kabayan in 2010. As a result, she was able to settle all her debts and acquired several properties, as well as additional assets to further expand her business.

Aside from Abo and Silva, many more microentrepreneurs have benefited from the USAID project. Banks that participated in the project reached more than one million new borrowers from 1997 to 2012. They disbursed a cumulative total of PHP43 billion ($935 million) in microloans during the period, helping citizens transform their lives and communities. As of 2017, USAID provides $2.9 million worth of credit guarantees to local financial institutions that lend to strategic small and medium enterprises.

The guarantees have leveraged more than $43 million in private sector resources, or a leverage of close to 1:15. n

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Deregulation of the airline industry reduced travel costs by up to 50 percent and raised domestic passengers from 5 million in 1997 to 30 million in 2014.

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was not viable from Davao City; with only one airline serving the route, shipping costs were high.

USAID’s Accelerated Growth Investment and Liberalization with Equity project, carried out from 1998 to 2001, provided technical assistance to the Civil Aeronautics Board to formulate rules for deregulation, thus providing an automatic approval of rates, charges and fares for domestic travel based on market demand.

OPENING GATEWAYS TO ASIA

“The liberalization of an industry is key to economic growth, since competition leads to innovation in services, which will ultimately The liberalization of an industry is key to economic growth benefit the customers,” according to Atty. Eldric Peredo, head of since competition leads to innovation in services, which will the Air Operating Rights Division of the Civil Aeronautics Board.

“Deregulation has enabled new airlines, such as Cebu Pacific, Air ultimately benefit the customers.”

— Atty. Eldric Peredo Philippines, Asian Spirit and SEAir, increasing seating capacities Air Operating Rights Division Head, Civil Aeronautics Board and providing access to remote areas,” said Peredo. Expansion in the airline industry also benefited from the development of secondary gateways such as Mactan, Davao and Clark.

With over 7,000 islands, the Philippine archipelago requires an efficient road and transport network to stimulate economic development. Even though inter-island air and sea transport services were already present in post-war Philippines, the government began to push for reforms in the airline and sea transport industries by promoting competition and encouraging investments in the private sector following the restoration of democratic institutions in 1986.

Liberalization of Philippine civil aviation has been felt across sectors. “The entry of budget airlines and improvements of airports have enabled high-value products, such as fruits and sashimi-quality tuna, to be exported,” said Candelario Miculob, a Davao-based durian exporter. “The entry of more players in the airline industry helped small businessmen grow their businesses, as we were able to meet demands of buyers outside Mindanao,” he added.

Miculob said that the budget carriers’ competitive pricing for Deregulation of the airline industry began in 1995, and in cargo made it possible for him to export Davao produce to 2003, reforms in the sea transport services with the Road other places in the country and to Singapore.

Roll-on/Roll-off, locally known as “Ro-Ro,” Terminal System began. These initiatives facilitated the growth of the travel and transport industry and helped boost local economies for “The Philippines can capitalize on its good location to support the aviation industry with progressive policies to open up the United States’ second largest trading partner, lowering more of our airspace, which can give our trade and tourism transport costs for goods and peoples within the Philippines an extra boost,” Peredo said. and with other countries, including with the U.S. Opening the skies for trade and tourism Davao City, located in Southern Mindanao, is best known for its fruit and flower produce. But in the 1990s, fruit export 43

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Deregulation of the airline industry resulted in the creation of six airline companies, increasing passenger capacity for Davao, Cebu and Bacolod by 75 percent, 38 percent and 30 percent respectively, from 1994 to 1995.

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The Road Roll-on/Roll-off Terminal System Engr. Renaldo Perez-Ramos’ business requires him to travel twice a month to Manila from Romblon Island, located in Southwestern Luzon. “Before the Ro-Ro services came, travel to Manila from Romblon Island meant having to use old, dilapidated ships even during bad weather,” Ramos recalled.

The Road Ro-Ro Terminal System has since improved Ro-Ro port facilities, provided safe vessels and lowered transport costs.

Ro-Ro services do not require large capital expenditure since cars, buses and truck-loaded container vans mount and dismount ships using their own fuel. This system is widely used in Europe and East Asia. Perez-Ramos is among the Filipinos and foreign tourists who have benefited from the “nautical highways” that help the movement of people and cargo within Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Perez-Ramos noted that Ro-Ro vessels offer a regular schedule at lower costs that are only one-tenth of the airfare from Romblon. In addition, the integration of the Ro-Ro services with the provincial bus services into Metro Manila enables him to make it to his appointments on time.

USAID’s Economic Modernization Through Efficient Reforms and Governance Enhancement project, in operation from 2004 to 2008, set its sights on lowering transportation costs to support economic liberalization and increased competition. The project supported the Development Bank of the Philippines in conducting a viability study for the Ro-Ro Terminal System connecting Bicol-Masbate-Cebu. The findings of the study helped promote investments in the Ro-Ro system.

USAID, through the project, also assisted the Department of Public Works and Highways in improving the collection and management of road user charges and managing a road support fund. The project built on earlier USAID assistance, such as a Shipping Route Study conducted in 1993-94 to review the adequacy of existing liner shipping and ferry services and identify priorities for better standards of services.

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RIGHT PHOTO USAID helped promote the Road-Roll-on/Roll-off Terminal System to improve competitiveness of the export sector and reduce inter-island shipping costs in the early 2000s.

By supporting the integration of the road network with the nautical routes, USAID helps attract investment and tourism, opening pathways for sustainable growth.

Between 2004 and 2009, the Ro-Ro Terminal System shortened the travel time between Mindanao and Luzon by 12 hours and reduced transport costs by approximately 40 percent for passengers and approximately 30 percent for cargo. The system achieved this by improving facilities in 22 ports and getting the participation of 25 shipping operators with 42 Ro-Ro vessels.

The Ro-Ro Terminal System continues to expand, connecting the Philippines’ many islands, and now beginning to expand to its neighbors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Additionally, with the passage of the Foreign Ship Co-Loading law now allows U.S. ships to participate in domestic trans-shipment in the Philippines.

USAID, through its Advancing Philippine Competitiveness project, in cooperation with the Mindanao Development Authority and the Department of Transportation, provided technical support to establish the first ASEAN Ro-Ro link between Indonesia and the Philippines. Another example is the establishment of a shipping route between Bataraza town in Southern Palawan and Kudat town in Sabah, Malaysia.

ASEAN leaders identified the Ro-Ro Network initiative as a flagship project in the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity. The initiative aims to establish a network of Ro-Ro routes across the ASEAN Region to boost trade, lower trans-shipment costs and facilitate the movement of people among countries. n

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From 2004 to 2009, the Road Roll-on/Roll-off Terminal System reduced transport costs by approximately 50 percent for passengers and approximately 30 percent for cargo shipments for Philippine, American and other foreign companies.

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EDUCATION

RIGHT PHOTO Elementary students in South Cotabato enhance their reading and comprehension skills through books developed by USAID’s Basa Pilipinas project. USAID helps develop new readers to unlock children’s creativity and potential, setting them on a path toward limitless opportunities.

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Together, USAID and its partners improved the teachers’ mastery of English, mathematics and science and bolstered teaching techniques at the elementary level. They also helped educators develop a deeper understanding of the students’ learning process.

EDUCATING WITH PRIDE AND PASSION

The project provided students with mathematics and science kits, along with activity sheets, interactive toys and tools for experiments, to help them learn concepts and apply their skills.

English books encouraged storytelling and raised reading skills.

“We observed a big change. Our classes became pupilcentered. This approach encouraged students to participate.

They became competitive in mathematics and science contests and even won in national competitions.”

— Yolenia Hare teacher, Santo Niño Central Elementary School, South Cotabato

Jinny Biñas and Yolenia Hare, mathematics teachers at Santo Niño Central Elementary School in South Cotabato in southern Philippines, remember the days when they could only dream of their students winning school competitions.

Before 2008, the school did not have enough resources for instructional materials, and teachers only had basic skills to teach different subjects.

“We wanted to provide quality education for our students, but it was hard, given our school’s limitations,” said Hare, who teaches 50 pupils in her mathematics class.

Better Access to Quality Education

Teacher coordinators in Sto. Niño Central Elementary School were trained, with support from USAID, to nurture the curiosity of students.

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To improve access to quality education in South Cotabato and other provinces in Mindanao, during 2004-11, USAID carried out the Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills project. The project targeted conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, where literacy was particularly poor. It partnered with the Department of Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and business and non-governmental organizations.

“We observed a big change. Our classes became pupilcentered. This approach encouraged students to participate.

They became competitive in mathematics and science contests and even won in national competitions,” said Hare.

Developing Outstanding Teachers and Students Jannie Sampani is a student who benefited from the teacher training. She was in fourth grade at Santo Niño Central Elementary School in 2010; Jinny Biñas was her mathematics teacher.

“We adopted the strategy of the four “As” (activity, analysis, abstraction and application) in mathematics. Our school piloted the strategy to promote higher-order thinking skills; we are now adopting the same approach in science and other subjects,” Biñas said.

This new style of teaching and learning sparked Sampani’s interest in her school subjects. “Because I did them myself, the lessons were etched in my mind, and I became more confident with what I learned,” she said. In 2012, she won awards in mathematics contests and quiz bees, and went on to graduate with honors.

The core team of teachers who trained under USAID’s Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills project mentored fellow teachers and even school heads.

“Mentoring helped our school build a good reputation. In fact, three [members] of our teaching staff became outstanding teachers of South Cotabato,” said Biñas.

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Aside from providing coaching opportunities, the project trained school administrators to formulate goals and plans.

They learned to monitor teacher and student achievements, work in teams and mobilize resources.

With the help of volunteers from the community, the project also improved the teachers’ working and learning environment by building and repairing classrooms. It organized courses for out-of-school youth in basic education and workforce development, preparing them either to return to school or heighten their employment potential.

By September 30, 2009, USAID, through the project, had trained more than 19,000 teachers. It had also built 45 classrooms, repaired 188 rooms and refurbished 235 community learning centers for out-of-school youth.

Improving Reading Skills USAID has continued to improve the quality of basic education in the Philippines through Basa Pilipinas (or Read, Philippines). Launched in 2013 and implemented in partnership with the Department of Education, the project supports the Philippine government’s early-grade language and literacy program by strengthening reading skills among students in the first, second and third grades in the Ilocos and Central Visayas regions.

As of 2016, USAID’s Basa Pilipinas has reached more than 1.6 million early-grade students, providing reading materials in Filipino, English and two mother tongues (Ilocano and Sinugbuanong Binisaya), and teacher training on improved literacy instruction. It had trained nearly 13,000 teachers and more than 2,000 school heads and furnished more than 8 million early grade teaching and learning materials to nearly 3,000 public elementary schools for use in classrooms.

Due in part to these achievements, the Department of Education scaled up Basa Pilipinas’ approach, expanding its reach to improve early grade reading for more than 1.8 million early-grade students nationwide. n 51

As her teachers improved the quality of their teaching, Jannie Sampani became more interested in studying. She graduated with honors from Sto. Niño Central Elementary School in 2012.

By 2016, a full 76 percent of thirdgrade students in USAID-assisted sites had met the Philippines’ benchmarks for reading fluency and comprehension, compared to only 20 percent in 2013.

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As of 2016, USAID’s Basa Pilipinas has helped develop more than 1.6 million new readers; trained nearly 13,000 teachers on improved literacy instruction; and provided over 8 million reading materials in Filipino, English, Ilocano and Sinugbuanong Binisaya.

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USAID’s STRIDE project strengthens the link between academia and industry by increasing the number of tertiary programs with curricula revised with private and/or public sector employers’ input or on the basis of market research.

(Photo: TIP Career Center).

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Strengthening Links Between Academia and Industry Launched in 2013, STRIDE has been enabling academic institutions and industries to produce research, develop graduates and forge partnerships that strengthen the Philippines’ capacity for innovation-led inclusive growth.

PAVING MULTIPLE AVENUES FOR HIGHER LEARNING

Through the project, USAID supports innovation workshops, during which members of academia and representatives from the government and small-to-large businesses converge to define innovative solutions and technical needs. These discussions often result in collaborative research activities or ventures aligned with industry demands.

“What science and technology students need most is early interaction with employers and industry players, and this is what our career center provides.”

— Dr. Frank Alejandrino director, Technological Institute of the Philippines Career Center

Jason Torres, a 26-year-old civil engineer, dreamed of one day managing his family’s construction business. To better prepare himself for this career, Torres enrolled in the Technological Institute of the Philippines under the Professional Science Master’s degree program in construction management.

“The program integrates the business side of engineering and construction management in the curriculum,” said Torres, who just completed his first year in the program.

“Marketing was one of the first courses I registered for,” he recalled. This specialized degree — the first of its kind in the country — is part of USAID’s five-year Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development project, also known as STRIDE.

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USAID’s STRIDE project organizes faculty exchanges between American and local universities to enhance collaborative industry-university research projects. The project also grants scholarships for scientifically minded students who aspire to pursue Professional Science Master’s degrees or carry out dissertation research, or post-doctoral research in a U.S. university. To support this, USAID conducts exchange visits involving career consultants and heads of mentored career centers. These help universities improve their students’ and faculty’s knowledge and skills in science, technology and innovation, and strengthen the linkage between academia and industry.

Professional Science Master’s Degree Through its STRIDE project, USAID has since introduced the Professional Science Master’s degree in five schools — the Technological Institute of the Philippines, Mariano Marcos University, Saint Louis University, University of the Cordilleras and Angeles University Foundation. The specialized degree program, developed with inputs from employers and with evidence from market research, covers a variety of key, high-demand fields, including construction management, renewable energy engineering, manufacturing engineering and management, information technology, and data science.

The program includes a mandatory internship component.

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Students develop business cases and harness their science and business competencies as part of their capstone project.

“This two-year degree allows students to understand financial statements, handle cost estimates, do project and contract management, and use the latest software and advanced methodologies,” said Technological Institute of the Philippines president, Dr. Elizabeth Lahoz.

Through interventions directed at science, technology and innovation, Torres’ dream of managing his family-owned construction company will soon be realized.

Developing Career Centers Advanced degrees can boost the productivity of developing countries, according to the Economic Policy Institute think tank. Toward that end, USAID assists universities, such as the Technological Institute of the Philippines, to set up career centers that offer opportunities for student development, career advising and job placement programs. Trainers from Florida State University and the William Davidson Institute of the University of Michigan visited career centers in 2015 to mentor counselors on how to help students network for opportunities and link them with industry partners for internships and jobs.

STRIDE scholar and Failure Analysis Engineer Janella Salamania works in a laboratory as part of her graduate degree in Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

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“Our career center provides students the opportunity for early interaction with employers and industry players,” said Dr. Frank Alejandrino, director of the Career Center at the Technological Institute of the Philippines. As of 2015, USAID’s STRIDE project had mentored staff from six universities to develop their own career centers. These are the University of Iloilo, Mindanao University of Science and Technology, Palawan State University, Western Philippine University, University of Santo Tomas and the Technological Institute of the Philippines.

STRIDE scholar Kat Carino works in one of the laboratories of the Department of Food Science at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Addressing Jobs-Skills Mismatch While various industries in the Philippines have a high demand for workers, many college graduates do not have the skills required to obtain employment. To help address

RIGHT PHOTO STRIDE scholar Melanie Salinas and several students in the Computer and Information Sciences program work with third and fourth graders at the Elbert-Palmer Elementary School in Delaware to familiarize the students with fundamentals of computer programming. (Photo: Evan Krape / University of Delaware)

this, USAID, through its Higher Education and Productivity project, sought to help align industry needs with graduates’ abilities and increase industry-academia partnerships.

Together with the Philippine Business for Education and the Commission on Higher Education, USAID organized summits that brought together hundreds of officials from universities, colleges, school associations and businesses, to help forge collaboration between academia and industries to improve the quality of higher education and produce graduates with skills that match the needs of various industries.

“If the higher education sector speaks as one, it will be in a better position to develop and advocate for proactive reforms in Philippine education,” said Dr. Jose Paulo Campos, president of the Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities, during a 2013 gathering.

The first summit in 2013 led to the birth of the National Industry-Academe Council. In the words of Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, president of the Ateneo de Manila University, “The Council will serve as a bridge that will connect our education system to industry and connect our nation to the needs and opportunities of an ever rapidly changing world.”

The following year, USAID’s higher education project convened 500 of the country’s top leaders from industry, academia and government to develop a national roadmap to improve the competitiveness of the country’s human resource base. Indeed, collaboration is crucial to improve the quality of higher education in the Philippines. n

As of 2017, USAID, through STRIDE, awarded 65 grants, valued at over $5 million, to Philippine universities for research in collaboration with U.S. universities and Philippine industries. Additionally, 56 scholarships were granted to Philippine scholars to study in the United States.

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ENVIRONMENT

RIGHT PHOTO Datu Malunay, an elder of the Talaandig tribe and a USAID-trained volunteer guard in the Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park (an ASEAN Heritage site), uses a tablet to patrol the forest. Some 15 million indigenous people in the Philippines depend on forests for their livelihood. In partnership with the national and local governments, USAID improves natural resource management, promotes water and energy security, and reduces vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters.

The children of Barangay Bantol in Davao City no longer inhale fumes and smoke from kerosene lamps as they study in the evening.

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grid were unable to grow their businesses and increase their income. Further, they also faced challenges related to peace and order, such as military-rebel conflicts, clan wars, resource-use conflicts and political clashes. Residents in communities yearned to be more productive and empowered, and to experience the benefits of the peace process.

SOLAR PANELS TAKE HOMES OUT OF THE DARK “Our lives have improved now that our children can study well in the evening. Job opportunities also opened up for both men and women as solar panel technicians.”

— Enecita Fiel treasurer, Barangay Renewable Energy Community Development Association

Edwin Fiel lives in Barangay Bantol on the fringes of Davao City in the southern province of Davao del Sur. Like most residents here who have relied on kerosene lamps to light their homes at night, he used to spend a precious money each month to buy kerosene for their night lamps.

This money could have been spent for other family necessities, such as food or added capital for their businesses. Instead, they used it to pay for kerosene’s dim, flickering light.The kerosene smoke discouraged children from finishing their studies, the women from continuing with their mat-weaving and the fishermen from going out to fish for fear of getting lost at sea.

Many of these areas in Davao del Sur had limited access to basic services especially access to reliable and affordable electricity. As a result, remote rural communities in Mindanao that could not connect to the national or regional electricity

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In 2004, USAID brought rural electrification to the community through its Alliance for Mindanao Off-grid Renewable Energy project (2002-2013) by installing small 30-watt solar panels on rooftops.This initiative improved the lives of Filipinos in the community and helped promote peace, especially in conflictaffected villages in Mindanao, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which were not connected to power grids.

The project also installed streetlights, resulting in community members feeling more secure and well-lit community centers that became safe places for productive, civic activities.

Residents reported that the lighting helped them in their farm activities like working extra hours during harvest time; husking corn; and milling rice, corn and other produce. Livestock raisers engaged in poultry and swine-raising found it easier to take care of their animals in the evening.Villagers said that they were no longer afraid to go out at night, and they could now hold social activities in the evening.

Enabling Communities to Manage Renewable Energy Systems Bantol was one of the 474 off-grid communities that gained access to electricity using renewable energy.The village had four technicians, two of whom were women, who were given the opportunity to do work normally attributed to men.Together with other 596 technicians, including 94 women from various beneficiary communities in Mindanao, they were specially trained to service the solar-powered systems in the Barangay Renewable Energy Community Development Associations (BRECDA) and schools. This was the first of its kind in the Philippines.

“I think the job should not only be known by men. I was challenged, and I decided to apply for the training session. If

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I complete it, then I can be of help to my community and personally attend to my installed package,” said one of the women technicians.

USAID organized local leaders, improved their technical skills and helped form BRECDAs to sustain the rural electrification system. The process enabled members to manage their renewable energy systems and generate funds for the associations.

USAID also partnered with private organizations such as independent power producer Mirant Philippines and Sunpower Foundation, the Philippine Department of Energy, and local governments and NGOs in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. About 20,000 households in the autonomous region and in western, central and southern Mindanao received reliable solar energy systems, which included portable lanterns, solar panels and micro, hydropower lighting systems. These solar energy systems helped mitigate annual carbon emissions from kerosene lamps and helped improve the health of families, as they no longer inhaled fumes and smoke from kerosene lamps.

From 2002-2013, public-private partnerships under USAID’s AMORE project electrified 20,000 households with renewable energy lighting systems.

These included houses connected to micro-hydro mini-grid systems, solar home lighting systems and portable solar lanterns.

Teaching and Learning Enhancement

literacy and enhancing opportunities for their respective families.

Maribelle Labojo, a teacher at Bantol Elementary School, said that after the rural electrification activity, more students started attending school. The solar energy systems have powered 300 schools and enabled students to watch audiovisual materials and improve their learning skills.

After solar panels were installed on their rooftop, Fiel said his family was able to save a significant amount, paying only PHP25 ($0.50) for the unit’s monthly maintenance, a full 95 percent less than what they previously had to spend to bring energy to their home.

Brighter Future After USAID Project

“Our lives have now improved since our children can study well in the evening. Job opportunities also opened up for both men and women as solar panel technicians,” said Fiel’s wife, Enecita. She sits as treasurer of the BRECDA’s project in Bantol, which manages the community’s solar panels under another USAID project. She is one of many who benefited not only from the project’s solar panels, but also from jobs created for the community.

Truly, the future is brighter for communities that have been provided with clean energy systems. Community members are now more optimistic about achieving peace, improving

For the Fiel family, the solar panels on the rooftops of homes in their remote village meant more than just bringing light.

They also beckoned hope for everyone in the village. n

“Our students are much more enthusiastic, because they can now watch lessons from multimedia facility. There is less absenteeism as compared to the past,” said Labojo. “Students perform better, since they can study at night with the aid of solar lamps. Teachers also benefited, as they spend less time in preparing their visual aids,” she added.

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From its solar panel enterprise, the Barangay Renewable Energy Community Development Association has earned PHP500,000 ($9,980), which it will use to further grow the business.

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USAID installed solar energy systems to power 174 rural schools from 2009 to 2013 in Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani, General Santos) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

School electrification reduced the time for teachers to prepare visual aids, increased class attendance and encouraged more active student participation.

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An aerial shot of Danajon reef in Bohol, showing the extent of municipal waters that the community needs to vigilantly protect for the next generation. In 2008, there was an increase in catch rates of up to 350 percent in project areas and a significant improvement in fish biodiversity in Danajon Bank.

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FISHERMEN TURN AGAINST DESTRUCTIVE FISHING “There was a time when we thought the fish had disappeared. We eventually realized that for the sea to take care of us, we must also take care of the sea.”

— Rodrigo Evardo founding president of a local fishers’ organization in Talibon, Bohol

With more than 7,000 islands and over 36,000 kilometers of coastline in the Philippines, the fisheries industry plays an important role in providing food and livelihood for people across the country. Fish and fish-based products account for 80 percent of the protein requirements of Filipinos.

Unfortunately, environmental degradation and harmful fishing practices have led to declining catches in many traditional fishing grounds. Overfishing has caused the Philippines’ fish population to decrease by approximately 90 percent in the last five decades.

Rodrigo Evardo is one of the many fishers who have seen the effects of neglecting the ocean. A native of Talibon, a coastal municipality in the northern part of Bohol province, Evardo has fished its waters for decades. Coastal 67

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communities in the area are heavily dependent for food and livelihood on the nearby Danajon Bank, one of only six double barrier coral reefs in the world and a rare geological formation known for its rich marine biodiversity. Evardo said that, unlike before, fish catch is no longer plentiful.

Fishing in Decline “Now, our catch is so little even if we spend more time fishing.

No matter how hard we work, sometimes we catch nothing,” Evardo said. He blames the decreasing fish catch on illegal fishing practices in Talibon and nearby municipalities that damage the coral reefs and endanger fishermen’s lives.

Rachel Sayson,Talibon’s tourism officer, remembers seeing fewer fish in the market as she grew older, but said nobody explained why this was happening. She has also observed this in nearbyTubigon municipality, where illegal fishers who use compressors are damaging the coral reefs and endangering fishers’ lives.

Evardo, who served for nine years as barangay (village) head, assembled other local leaders and police officers to convince illegal fishers to change their ways. He said fishermen engaged in illegal fishing practices were put off by the vigilant patrolling of the local government staff, police and community volunteers.

Partnerships Forged Through Sustainable Fisheries Help came when USAID’s Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest project was implemented in Danajon Bank from 2003 to 2010. Through the project, USAID improved fisheries management capacities of local government, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources staff, and fisherfolk communities. The project covered 709 kilometers of shoreline in 18 municipalities of Bohol, Cebu, Leyte and Southern Leyte, which spanned the Danajon Bank ecosystem.

It also assisted local communities in fisheries and coastal resource management planning, law enforcement, and information and education activities.

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USAID’s partnership with 60 local governments has resulted in improved management of 550,000 hectares of marine waters — nearly the size of the state of Alaska. USAID also supports sustainable management of coastal fisheries for over 1.5 million Filipinos.

Enforcers of Oplan Sandagat (a multi-agency coastal law enforcement action against illegal fishing in Danajon Bank) patrol the waters to ensure that operating boats are registered, warn potential violators and issue fines.

Geoffrey Villamil, Talibon Municipality’s focal person for marine enforcement, said that their local fish wardens learned about fishery laws and local ordinances through seminars organized by USAID. “We realized things could change for the better. We were also given tools such as binoculars, life jackets, pump boats and global positioning systems to help us become more effective enforcers. We now train other fish wardens to help patrol our area 24/7,” said Villamil.

USAID paved the way for other fisheries management actions, such as closed seasons during fish spawning season and regulation of mesh sizes of fishing nets to reduce the number of juvenile fish getting caught. Additionally, USAID, through the project, helped establish marine protected areas and mobilized fisherfolk communities to assist local governments, police and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in advocacy, monitoring and enforcement activities.

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A young girl watches her mother sort and prepare fish for drying. Fish and fishbased products account for 80 percent of the protein requirements of Filipinos.

Nurturing Marine Protection Advocates Now in his 50s, Evardo is also a Bantay Dagat (sea patrol) volunteer. He was deputized by the Bureau as a fish warden after completing a training course to help safeguard their fishing grounds. Villlamil, on the other hand, conducts learning sessions on fishery law enforcement for fisherfolk.

Evardo said that their vision is to bring back the abundance of fish stocks through community commitment to protect the sea. “USAID’s assistance was a big help to us. Fisherfolk here are happy because their income has increased as a result of the improvement in fish catch. More than that, we learned that we have a faithful partner in taking care of the marine sanctuaries,” he said.

To help community volunteers, Talibon Municipality Government and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources provide livelihood assistance to the Bantay Dagat members who have shown their commitments as marine protection advocates. Rolando Caba, Sr., who heads a fisherfolk group in nearby Tubigon Municipality, said that the local government is working to develop a mangrove 71

TOP PHOTO Bantay Dagat volunteer Geoffrey Villamil, focal person for marine enforcement in Talibon, Bohol, educates island and coastal municipalities about fishery ordinances, livelihood options and the benefits of protecting the ocean.

rehabilitation project as an ecotourism destination. “We are hopeful that this will give us extra income and showcase how the community benefits from taking care of the environment,” he said.

Sayson said that the Talibon Fisheries and Coastal Resource Management Interpretive Center, established in 2007, continues to teach guests how to protect Danajon Bank.

The center hosts a three-dimensional map of the Danajon Bank double barrier reef. The map was developed with community participation and illustrates five decades of resource use. It functions not only as an exhibit material, but also as a management tool for local governments.

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LEFT PHOTO Community participants in the week-long, participatory, three-dimensional mapping workshop organized by the USAID Fisheries for Improved Sustainable Harvest project paint details on the map of Danajon Bank double barrier reef.

The map is now housed at the Talibon Fisheries and Coastal Resource Management Information Center, attracts tourists and is used as a management tool. (Photo: Asuncion Sia)

By 2013, the Danajon Bank double barrier reef system hosted 120 marine protected areas in various stages of protection and management. The provincial governments of Cebu, Leyte, Bohol and Southern Leyte also formed an inter-local government unit alliance for the joint management of the bank.

“We will strive to continue what we have started with the help of USAID, the local government and NGOs. The impossible has become possible with their help and our community’s cooperation. That makes us proud,” said Sayson. n

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Water from the Tumaga River is diverted to this purification and filtration plant. Zamboanga City Water District coordinates with security forces to protect the treatment facility and the watershed.

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SECURING THE CITY’S WATER SUPPLY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS “Water security is not only about the provision of sufficient water… it is also about having healthy ecosystems and building resilience to water-related disasters, including storms, floods and droughts.”

— Senator Loren Legarda

“You can live for days without food and electricity, but not without water. Water is life. That is why I am committed to my job of taking care of the watershed, which supplies water to the city,” said Archilles Braulio, manager of the Watershed and Environmental Management Division of the Zamboanga City Water District.

Braulio inspects the different stages of the city’s water supply and distribution channels. He makes sure that water from the reservoir reaches the homes and businesses in the commercial centers. His is not an easy job, especially since the water district faces several challenges in servicing residents. The impacts of climate change, the city’s expanding population and the aging infrastructure, as well as conflicts in certain service areas, have made it tough for the water district to ensure that clients from 44 barangays get consistent water supply.

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Zamboanga City relies heavily on surface water, augmented by deep wells, for agricultural and industrial use. The U.S. Government built the city’s water system in 1911 to serve the U.S. forces in the city, and the local government took over management of the water supply.

Aside from developing the needed infrastructure, the water district focuses on maintaining and conserving the watershed to improve the city’s water supply. It works with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to protect the city’s watershed, a critical source of potable water supply provided to about 511,785 customers as of 2014.

“When we take care of the watershed, we ensure that it can continue and improve its ability to capture, store and filter rainwater so that it can produce quality water for the city today and tomorrow,” said Braulio.

When water supply is low, the water district resorts to rationing. By 2025, Zamboanga City is expected to grow to a population of over one million people. With that growth comes the need to provide additional 13.5 million cubic meters of water per year to meet the increasing demand.

Future water requirements may be satisfied if other sources, such as rivers and springs, are tapped to augment current water supply sources. The reservoir in the 17,000-hectare Pasonanca Watershed feeds the water district’s main water source: the Tumaga River.

Securing Water Through Partnerships USAID’s Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) project, which began in 2013, provided assistance to the Zamboanga City Water District as part of measures to improve water security to support resilient and stable economic growth in the country.

At the national level, USAID supported training on weather and climate forecasting for the Philippines’ weather bureau,

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PAGASA, and streamflow data management for the Department of Works and Highways personnel. USAID also worked with the World Bank to help the National Water Resources Board, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Local Water Utilities Administration develop Listahang Tubig, a registry for water service providers in the country that is used for improving access to water supply and the services of water utilities.

At the local level, USAID worked with cities like Zamboanga to increase access to water supply and sanitation and improve water security. USAID, through the project, helped the Zamboanga City Water District design a water treatment plant that can treat up to 20 million liters of water per day and to assess the feasibility of an impounding dam to meet the city’s long-term water requirements. The project also helped the water district develop bidding documents and access national government financing, which are crucial for constructing a PHP165-million ($3.4 million) sewerage treatment plant in an area donated by the Zamboanga City government.

In the peak of an intense drought in early 2016, the project brought local government and water district partners to the United States to learn from the Seattle Public Utilities on practical ways of managing water demand through better demand forecasting and effective water conservation and efficiency programs. The project also partnered the water districts with the Florida Water and Climate Alliance to learn how to assess vulnerabilities to natural disasters and integrate these into business and emergency plans.

Through USAID’s assistance, over 177,000 Zamboanga City residents benefited from improved access to clean drinking water. Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco is grateful for the support of USAID to the city and expressed commitment to work with the water district to help provide better water security for the city’s residents.

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USAID’s assistance helped over 177,000 Zamboanga City residents access clean drinking water. The project also helped 220,000 residents of Tacloban City and more than 450,000 residents of Iloilo City access better sanitation facilities.

A staff member of the Zamboanga City Water District measures the water level at the dam located at Pasonanca Natural Park.

USAID’s support to improve access to water and sanitation has impacted other areas in the Philippines. In Tacloban City in 2016, a lime pit stabilization septage treatment facility was turned over to the local government. The pit was the first to be built in the region and the first to showcase this technology in the country, developed by USAID, UNICEF and Samaritan’s Purse International Relief. The facility will provide access to improved sanitation to over 220,000 residents of Tacloban City.

In Iloilo City, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog established a technical working group charged with the city’s water and sanitation initiatives. USAID is assisting the city to develop its septage management program, which will benefit over 450,000 people with improved access to sanitation services. n

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HEALTH

RIGHT PHOTO Aeta women and other villagers in Porac, Pampanga, learn about tuberculosis symptoms through USAID materials. USAID partners with the Department of Health to improve the health and productivity of families, including indigenous communities.

Midwives in Well-Family Midwife Clinics provide postnatal care, including immunization, in addition to other services such as pregnancy tests, prenatal care, delivery and family planning.

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SAVING MOMS AND BABIES

and basic business management skills, which helped her reach her dream. She opened a small clinic housed in a rented bungalow and then eventually opened the Cattleya WellFamily Midwife Clinic in Metro Manila’s business district of Makati.

More birthing facilities in the country — inspired by the model of the USAID-assisted facilities — have helped decongest government hospitals and, more importantly, prevent maternal and newborn deaths, especially among poor and marginalized populations.

Through the commitment of the Philippine government, USAID and other partners, the percentage of women who completed four antenatal care visits rose from 52.1 percent to 70.4 percent between 1993 and 2003, while skilled birth attendance went up from 52.8 to 60 percent. Facility-based — Corazon Paras delivery improved from 28.2 to 38.6 percent over the same president, Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines period. In 1993, the maternal mortality ratio was 209 per 100,000 live births. By educating parents and providing quality services, health workers trained through USAID’s projects have contributed to the Philippine government’s achievement in 2015 of more than 77 percent of deliveries with a skilled Carol Millan was one of the first midwives in the Philippines birth attendant. to receive assistance and participate in training sessions to establish a Well-Family Midwife Clinic through USAID’s Birthing Facilities Built, Quality Services Sustained Technical Assistance for the Conduct of Integrated Family Planning and Maternal Health Activities (TANGO). The In addition to providing birthing services, the clinics also project was implemented by Philippine non-governmental double as centers that offer services and raise awareness on organizations from 1995 to 2004 and improved maternal family planning. Bohol-based Corazon Paras, president of the health by expanding access to quality health services.

Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines, declared, “More mothers are now open to options to take care of Millan applied for the training workshop when she returned themselves and their families through proper birth spacing from the Middle East, where she had worked as a midwife using modern family planning methods.” at a hospital. For her, it was a dream come true. She was able to open a clinic that offered Filipino mothers access to Building on the gains of TANGO to improve the quality of better birthing services in a city filled with congested public maternal and neonatal health services, USAID implemented hospitals. the Community Maternal, Neonatal, Child Health, and Nutrition Scale-Up (CMSU) project from 2012 to 2015, USAID, through the TANGO project, provided Millan through the Integrated Midwives Association of the with training on basic business management skills and Philippines. CMSU expanded the reach of these services PHP100,000–300,000 ($2,000–6,200) worth of equipment and strengthened the capacity of national and local midwives’ “At its heart, the birthing facilities empowered women to take charge of their health and take better care of their family by getting educated on the proper spacing between births.”

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associations through peer mentoring and monitoring in both public and private birthing homes.

Through mentoring and monitoring midwives to build their skills in delivery of babies, antenatal and newborn care, family planning counseling and services, and child feeding and breastfeeding, members of the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines were taught to manage the clinics and offer quality services in assisting deliveries. “Birthing facilities provide maternal and child care to patients while at the same time they develop the entrepreneurial side of midwives by generating local employment in the community,” she said.

Paras recognized the critical need for better birthing facilities after working in overcrowded maternity wards and helplessly watching a newborn die as a result of a preventable umbilical cord infection.

USAID’s TANGO transformed the role of midwives from ordinary health care providers to social entrepreneurs who provide affordable health services while generating more income, thereby enhancing their self-confidence and professional status.

USAID’s project cultivated a paying market for the clinics and provided an option for health care consumers from lower-income communities.

“The sheer volume of patients causes heavy congestion in public hospitals. It is not unusual to see a hospital bed shared by three women who just gave birth, together with their babies,” said Paras.

“The benefits of birthing facilities go beyond providing an alternative place for giving birth. At their heart, the USAID’s work to establish birthing facilities came at an clinics have empowered women to take charge of their opportune time when demands for these were widely reproductive health and take better care of their family by unmet. Dr. Rey Moses Cabagnot, provincial health officer learning about proper spacing between births and the use of in Bohol, explained that USAID-assisted private birthing facilities complement the services provided in public hospitals family planning to support their desired family size,” said Paras. and clinics. These private birthing facilities also partner with Promoting Responsible Parenthood government-run clinics and public hospitals to identify complications and refer pregnant women who might require The Philippine government has worked to expand public Caesarean sections or complex surgeries to deliver their access to information on family planning services since the babies. late 1990s as a means to promote the health and wellMore birthing facilities have meant expanded access to better being of families. Filipino women who want to space their services, clean places for women to rest after giving birth, and pregnancies or have reached their desired family size are provided with comprehensive family planning information, more quality time for mothers and newborns to physically counseling and services. bond during the first hour after birth.

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Nurse Reymund Lumantas checks on Jessa Mae – a baby he saved during birth after performing newborn resuscitation, a skill he learned from a USAIDsponsored course. USAID supports the Department of Health to scale up high-impact measures that reduce maternal and infant deaths and help meet family planning needs.

In 1993, the maternal mortality ratio was 209 per 100,000 live births. By 2015, the Philippines had reduced maternal mortality to 114 per 100,000 live births.

For Juvy Borja, 43, mother of two from Makati City, having the option to plan for a small family helped her pursue her life’s goals. After giving birth to her youngest child in 2007, Borja told her husband that she wanted more information about how to prevent unplanned pregnancies.

Borja found a place to get advice on pregnancy and reproductive health at a small birthing facility near their home. “I learned that having a family size that I can manage is important to give quality time and better health care for my children, my partner and myself,” she said. Looking back on the past nine years, Borja feels fortunate to have been introduced to a USAID-assisted birthing home. Her visits to this facility opened her eyes to life-changing choices that empowered her to exercise her full potential as a more responsible mother and wife. n 83

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In Mindanao, USAID has invested in the health sector by assisting facilities to obtain PhilHealth accreditation and training health service providers in competencies required

by PhilHealth. This support has contributed to improved maternal and child health and family planning services.

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and payments for doctors’ professional fees and room accommodations.

“I am glad I took advantage of the maternity package because I received high-quality and affordable care. With my PhilHealth membership, I paid only a fraction of the cost of what I paid at a private clinic during my first delivery,” said Borja.

IMPROVING HEALTH CARE ACCESS

Institutionalization of National Health Insurance Republic Act No. 7875, also known as the National Health Insurance Act of 1995, paved the way for the creation of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth.

Through technical assistance provided by USAID’s Health Finance Development project from 1991 to 1996, the — Melinda Mercado Department of Health and PhilHealth’s predecessor — PhilHealth senior vice president the Philippine Medical Care Commission (Medicare) — spearheaded the passage of legislation that enabled a majority of Filipinos to access quality health care under the National Health Insurance Program. While the law has undergone several amendments, the basic mandate of PhilHealth — to provide health insurance coverage to all Filipinos — has not changed.

When Adela Floresta, 65, was hospitalized in 2015 for hypertension, she used her membership in the state-run In its 20 years of existence, PhilHealth has provided coverage Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to pay for existing and emerging health problems. USAID gives for most of her medical bills. technical support to the Department of Health to help “I am a senior citizen who makes ends meet for my children. If develop benefit packages and approaches that are responsive to clients’ needs.

I get sick, I have no means to pay for my hospitalization. But thanks to PhilHealth, getting medical attention is no longer a Nearing Target problem,” said Floresta, whose livelihood is managing a small store at her home.

As of the end of June 2016, PhilHealth had more than 92 million members and dependents, comprising 90 percent Juvy Borja, a mother of two, received quality services at of the country’s estimated population of more than 102 a low-cost private birthing clinic in Makati City, Metro million. In contrast, Medicare covered only about 38 percent Manila. Just like her, many women benefit from PhilHealth’s of the population in the 1990s. USAID also supported the maternity and newborn care packages. The packages include accreditation of health facilities to extend access to maternity, pre- and post-natal check-ups, safe delivery, newborn care, “USAID served as a bridge and catalyst to improve the national health insurance system of the country. Having served this institution for the past 39 years, I am very proud of the achievements of PhilHealth.”

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TOP PHOTO PhilHealth and USAID collaborated on a media campaign to encourage Filipinos to learn more about the National Health Insurance Program. (Source: Screengrab from USAID Philippines’ “Philhealth Benefits”)

In 2016, PhilHealth provided health insurance coverage to 9 out of 10 Filipinos – a major step forward from the 1990s, when fewer than 4 out of 10 Filipinos had health insurance under Medicare.

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RIGHT PHOTO USAID supported PhilHealth by organizing group counseling for private practicing midwives. The sessions equipped them with skills and knowledge to respond to demand for family planning and maternal and child health services and products among couples.

newborn and TB packages for poor families enrolled in PhilHealth. PhilHealth utilization rates among targeted local governments rose from 49 percent in 2015 to 72 percent in 2016.

While the Philippines is still working toward universal health care, strong foundations have been established through PhilHealth’s policy and operations that continue to reach a growing percentage of the population. n

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Barangay health worker Virginia Tungol (right) learned better ways of testing patients for TB through USAID’s training program. She visited TB patient Juanita Malong (left) at home to supervise her daily intake of anti-TB medicine during her sixmonth treatment.

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Control of Tuberculosis, a five-year project that started in 2012 in partnership with the Philippine Department of Health. The project’s TB testing stations, particularly in rural areas, allowed clients to get tested near their homes for easier access to diagnosis and treatment. The practice of using these stations has helped to diagnose and cure more people, thus reducing the spread of the disease.

LIGHTENING THE TB BURDEN “We try to be holistic in our approach. We don’t treat them as cases; we treat them as people, as human beings.”

— Dr. Philip Patrick Co medical coordinator, San Juan City TB project

Juanita Malong was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in 2015. She worried that she would not be able to get proper treatment because her income as a laundry woman would not be enough to pay for her medical expenses.

The Department of Health was recognized by the World Health Organization for reaching the Philippine Millennium Development Goal of cutting in half TB mortality and prevalence between 1990 and 2015.

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“I was coughing a lot, and it made me miss some of my work days. Missing work means no income,” said the 67-yearold Malong. She lives in Barangay West Crame, the most populous district in the city of San Juan, Metro Manila.

Malong is just one among hundreds of thousands of Filipinos suffering from TB. Based on the Global Tuberculosis Report (2016) of the World Health Organization, the Philippines ranked eighth among 30 countries with the highest TB burden, with an estimated 324,000 cases in 2015.

Reaching Communities To help the Philippines combat the disease, USAID launched the Innovations and Multisectoral Partnerships to Achieve

Since 2012, USAID has installed 249 remote testing stations run by trained informal laboratory workers in 17 provinces. USAID, through the project, has also mobilized 3,700 community volunteers to promote TB awareness and education among 27,000 individuals. These outreach activities resulted in 78 percent of the people identified as TB presumptive cases in USAID’s project sites to seek diagnosis and appropriate treatment in health centers.

USAID helped increase TB case-finding by engaging more than 365 private hospitals; 4,067 private pharmacies; and 177 jails and prisons, as well as workplaces, indigenous people and Muslim religious leaders. The program also helped improve TB cure rates by mobilizing nearly 3,500 health workers and 700 midwives to provide treatment and support for TB patients.

At the same time, USAID worked with hospitals to improve their ability to treat TB and engaged private workplaces to encourage them to establish TB prevention and treatment programs for their employees.

Reaping the Benefits Malong is among the beneficiaries of USAID’s investments in the fight against TB. After receiving advice from (district) health worker Virginia Tungol, she went to a USAID-assisted TB testing facility, where she was accurately diagnosed for TB. For the next six months, the facility provided her with free treatment, which included sputum testing and medication.

Sputum, a thick fluid produced in the lungs and in the airways leading to the lungs, is tested for the presence of bacteria that can cause TB infection.

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A cured TB patient, Estrellita Apale (right), is grateful for the support of her treatment partner, Jocelyn Canania, who made sure she attended her regular check-ups and took the daily medicines needed to recover from TB.

Tungol visited Malong daily at home to supervise her medicine intake. “She made sure that I took my medicine regularly,” said Malong.

It is crucial for patients not to miss their medication so they do not develop drug resistance. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is, on average, 10 times more expensive to treat and can result in long-term or permanent side effects. In the Philippines, an estimated 17,000 TB cases were MDR-TB. USAID’s TB project trained Tungol on more efficient ways to test patients for TB. Her training modules also included the basic directly observed treatment, short course TB control strategy, and soft skills, such as interpersonal communication and counseling for patients. These skills helped Tungol improve her interactions with patients, giving comfort and building commitment and trust.

TOP PHOTO Joseph Acosta Mason credits the local health center and its USAID-trained staff for his successful TB treatment.

Joseph Acosta Mason, 62, is another beneficiary of the project.

Like Malong, he received free TB treatment in Barangay West Crame, San Juan.

“After getting diagnosed, I went to a private doctor. Two months into the treatment, I did not see any improvement, so I went to the health center across the street from my store.” said Mason.

“The treatment at the health center was free. It was even better than what I received from the private clinic. The health workers at the center knew how to treat TB patients effectively,” Mason added.

Indeed, improved access to TB detection and treatment has helped combat the disease in San Juan and other parts of the Philippines. The World Health Organization recognized the Department of Health in 2015 for its extraordinary progress in TB diagnosis, treatment and care. The Philippines was also lauded for reaching the Philippine Millennium Development Goal of cutting TB mortality and prevalence in half between 1990 and 2015. n

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Through the strong partnership between the Philippine and U.S. governments, the TB treatment success rate in the Philippines rose to 92 percent of new and relapse cases in 2014, up from 87 percent in 2004.

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MINDANAO PEACE AND STABILITY

RIGHT PHOTO Students of Taluksangay National High School in Zamboanga City participate in a USAID-supported activity during the 2013 Week of Peace celebrations in Mindanao. USAID’s work accelerates and sustains inclusive growth to support a more prosperous and stable nation, including conflict-affected areas of Mindanao.

Former combatants — like these seaweed farmers — were given the opportunity to pursue productive livelihoods through USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao project. Farmers learned to improve production and packaging, which expanded market outreach and made them more competitive.

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recalled the days when he roamed the mountains aimlessly as a member of the Moro National Liberation Front. He did not need much persuasion to join the group, since “You were cool if you had a gun in your hands,” said Maranding.

MAKING THE LAND OF PROMISE A REALITY

Life with the group seemed like an adventure, as they were always on the run and had to stay alert. When they could set up camp, his bed was a pile of leaves or a hammock. Food was what was available, mostly sweet potatoes and bananas.

He also managed to survive the occasional firefight with the army and armed civilians. At some point, he felt that his life was going nowhere, until the group broke apart. “My comrades parted ways, and that was why I left,” he said.

“Between 2013-2014, Davao had the highest surge [of gross domestic product growth] in the country, at 9.4 percent. These At 22, Maranding began a new journey. With the help of his gains were propelled by a mixture of industrial expansion, father, he returned to rice farming and, in 1999, got married. agricultural recovery and sustained contribution from the services “Our dream is to have a good and peaceful life, send our sector.” kids to school and be able to eat three times a day,” he said.

— Marifi S. Jara He was then persuaded by his wife’s family to transfer to Mindanao bureau chief, BusinessWorld General Santos City and never to return to the tumultuous

life of a rebel. There he raised his family and started producing corn and vegetables.

Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago comprise one-third of the Philippine territory and one-quarter of the country’s total population. Touted as the Land of Promise, Mindanao’s potential for growth is affected by conflict, which limits investment and development and drains government resources.

For intrepid and enterprising individuals, however, Mindanao beckons with opportunities. USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao project, carried out from1995 to 2013, accelerated economic growth in Mindanao and worked toward peace in the region.

Turning Over a New Leaf

USAID’s project served as a catalyst for Maranding’s dreams to come true. He landed a job at the farm of former barangay (village) captain Roger Pascual, who taught him corn seed production and asparagus farming. Pascual founded the Greenland Asparagus Multi-purpose Cooperative in 2008, and the group received technical assistance from USAID in 2011. They used it to improve the seed production of assorted vegetables and high-value crops such as asparagus.

USAID, through the GEM project, supported some 28,000 former Moro National Liberation Front combatants, providing them with agriculture and aquaculture inputs and technical training to help them produce corn, rice and seaweed. Among them, about 4,000 went on to produce and sell higher-value agricultural crops such as asparagus.

“Walay klaro!” (Nothing is clear!) This is how Tengan Maranding “USAID’s assistance was a big boost to the cooperative. We increased our asparagus production from 300 kilograms describes his chaotic life as a rebel in his younger years. A native of South Cotabato, a province in Central Mindanao, he per day to 1,500-2,000 kilograms per day. We have also 95

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USAID provided the tools and training for more than 28,000 former combatants in Mindanao to pursue productive livelihoods and promote peace.

USAID’s assistance to Greenland Asparagus Multi-purpose Cooperative improved its production to 1,500-2,000 kilograms of asparagus per day. It is now one of the top suppliers of asparagus in the country.

expanded our asparagus plantation from 10 hectares to 40 hectares,” said Pascual.

Today, fresh asparagus is one of the top leading exports from Central Mindanao Region, and the cooperative is now one of the major local suppliers. It also exports produce to Japan and Korea and has plans to expand to Singapore and Australia.

Building Enterprises and Transforming Lives The opportunity to help enterprises and improve livelihoods came after progress was made in the government’s peacebuilding work after 1986. Mindanao, including General Santos City, became the focus of agro-industrial development during the 1990s.

Marfenio Y. Tan of San Agustin Fishing, Inc., has witnessed the dramatic growth of the fishing industry of General Santos City, located in Central Mindanao. His company, along with other fishing enterprises, benefited from the cooperation between the Philippine government and USAID, which was geared toward transforming the city to become the country’s “Tuna Capital.”

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The project linked rural communities in South Cotabato and Sarangani to General Santos City with 158 kilometers of roads, constructed from 1991 to 1994. In addition, USAID and the Philippine government jointly funded the construction of a new airport in General Santos City costing $48.6 million.

The new airport further helped local businessmen and women secure the agricultural export market and enabled the old airport to service larger Boeing 737 and Airbus A300 planes. The 600-hectare airport, with its 3,200-meter runway, opened in July 1996. It became the first airport in Mindanao to accommodate wide-body aircraft for cargo handling. It also allowed direct export of sashimi-grade tuna and agricultural produce from farms in nearby provinces. General Santos became the gateway to the Central Mindanao region.

“Fishing has always been a contributor to the city’s economy, but, at first, tuna was mostly for the local market,” said Tan. From the 1950s up until the1970s, tuna catch was simply offloaded along the beach in Barangay Bula in General Santos City, where fishing boat operators lived.

In 1972, fishing operators saw the potential for growth when tuna traders chanced upon the massive tuna supply in the city. Export companies — such as Zamboanga City’s Sikatuna Fishing, Ricsan, Del Monte and Dole Philippines — soon set up buying stations. The need for adequate infrastructure and services, however, hindered the group from fully tapping the tuna export market.

Tan credits the Department of Agriculture for taking the lead in building critical infrastructure, such as the ice plant, fish port and roads. USAID stepped in and partnered with national and local agencies to fast-track the city’s growth.

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TOP PHOTO General Santos City is the country’s largest producer of sashimi-grade tuna. Direct export of tuna from farms in nearby provinces was made possible through a new airport that opened in 1996 through USAID support.

These projects built peace and reduced poverty following the peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front in 1996.

Mindanao Becomes a Gateway USAID initially funded half of the $213-million General Santos Development Zone project to accelerate agroindustrial development and attract private sector investment.

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USAID also supported the feasibility study for the expansion of Makar Wharf, which was later tapped to be part of the shipping route to Bitung in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The wharf — located in General Santos — and Bitung were the designated ports for the cargo shipping service between Southern Philipines (Mindanao) and Indonesia in 1997, to support cross-border trade in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area. These key infrastructure investments, along with the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority Fish Port Complex, propelled General Santos City into an agro-industrial hub. The infrastructure expansion in the tuna industry in General Santos City generated 5,000 jobs in processing and benefited 10,000 small-scale tuna fishermen.

“One of the significant benefits from USAID support was the strengthening of local business groups,” said Tan. USAID fisheries management specialists provided fishing associations, including the SOCSKSARGEN Federation Fishing Associations and Allied Industries (SFFAAII), with technical inputs and support. Eventually, the association was able to stand on its own merit.

TOP PHOTO Marfenio Tan of San Agustin Fishing was among the entrepreneurs who benefited from USAID’s investment in Makar Wharf and the General Santos Airport.

Tan added that SFFAAII advocacy resulted in the country’s accession to the Western and Central Pacific Fishing Commission, as well as bilateral agreements with Indonesia, Palau and Papua New Guinea, which gave local fishing companies access to strategic fishing areas.

From humble beginnings in Mindanao, these local fishing-boat operators and combatants-turned-farmers have risen to become industry leaders and heads of enterprises that have contributed to local development and peace-building in areas once synonymous with armed conflict. n

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Harold Reyes is among the 19,000 young people who benefited from USAID’s skills training program in Mindanao.

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“I chose this course to challenge myself. I wanted to prove that I can do the job—regardless of my gender orientation,” said Reyes, who is also a member of the Professional Plumbers Association of the Philippines.

MINDANAO YOUTH BUILD SKILLS TO HELP REBUILD THE CITY

He shared that, in one construction project, he earned PHP3,000 ($62), which he gave to his mother to help pay for their family expenses. Since then, he has worked on other projects, including churches, schools and a center for the elderly in Zamboanga City.

Massive Skills Training

“USAID was instrumental in equipping me with life skills to dream of a better future.”

— Harold Reyes hairdresser, MYDev alumna and president of a plumber’s association

Harold Reyes juggles two jobs — as a plumber at a construction site and as a hairdresser at a beauty salon. His routine allows him to harness his skills and earn a decent income despite not having a college degree.

Growing up in conflict-affected Zamboanga City and not being able to finish school, Reyes had limited income-earning opportunities. This was until he finished a 21-day certification course on plumbing and construction under USAID’s Mindanao Youth for Development (MYDev) project. MYDev contributes to peace and stability by expanding access to education and improving employability and life skills for outof-school youth in eight conflict-affected areas in southern Philippines. The project promotes an environment that protects vulnerable youth against stereotyping, extremism and radicalization in their communities.

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Reyes is one of the young people who were trained under USAID’s skills training project for the youth in Mindanao.

The five-year project seeks to engage at least 19,000 out-ofschool youth in workforce and community development.

USAID partnered with the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and other training organizations in the region. Through this collaboration, out-of-school youth receive vocational training certification in various fields and find local employment with partner businesses. This is crucial, because most of the skilled graduates in the region still travel to the country’s capital, Manila, or to other major cities, such as Cebu and Davao, in search of better-paying jobs.

Skills development provides opportunities for out-of-school youth to engage in income-generating activities, improving their families’ economic condition, and allowing them to be productive members of the community.

USAID’s emerging skills training project focuses on skills in business and entrepreneurship. The training courses on food processing, handicraft making, construction, agriculture and culinary skills were identified as the most popular, as they equip the trainees with skills that are in demand locally.

Local governments, as in Zamboanga City, invite newly trained youth to showcase their products during annual trade fairs.

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RIGHT PHOTO Trained as a plumber and hairdresser, Harold wants to raise the voice of marginalized out-of-school youth to take up opportunities such as vocational training.

In addition to skills development, USAID’s MYDev project also conducts learning sessions that help young people think critically and act creatively. They are guided to demonstrate effective work habits, improve their communication skills and exercise discipline in the workplace.

As of 2016, a full 70 percent of youth from USAID’s MYDev program who returned to schools had measurably enhanced life skills, and 67 percent had improved perceptions of their governments and communities.

Inspiring Excellence Among Out-of-School Youth The project has established eight functional Out-of-School Youth Development Alliances and improves basic education competencies, life skills and employability for more than 19,000 out-of-school youth in conflict areas in Mindanao.

Over 9,000 youth also received certification from nationally recognized vocational institutions, thereby improving their employment options.

This was demonstrated by Reyes, who became an active member of local professional networks after his certification.

He was also elected president of the city plumbers’ association. He sees his position as an opportunity to champion better understanding among his peers and represent mostly marginalized out-of-school youth. Other participants of the MYDev project have pursued tertiary education, with some earning scholarships from regional universities.

Reyes encourages other youth to take up vocational training.

“There’s a big change in my life. Now instead of being a burden to my family, I am able to support them and help them have a brighter future,” said Reyes. n POWER OF PARTNERSHIP — 50+ Years of USAID in the Philippines

104

EPILOGUE

As we look back on the last 50-plus years of partnership between the Philippines and USAID, we are filled with hope and excitement for the future.

The strength and resilience of the Filipino spirit to triumph are undeniable. The stories in these pages reflect the will of all citizens to work together, overcome challenges, and achieve their dreams for their families and communities.

USAID is humbled and proud to have been part of this nation’s journey of transformation. As one of the Philippines’ partners in development, we are excited to take bold steps toward a brighter future.

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Case 1 Ellison, K. (1999). Local Governance and Participatory Natural Resources Management: USAID’s Gold Project in the Philippines Case Study. Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pnacq040.pdf

USAID. USAID Rebuild–Building Resilient Communities. Retrieved from https://www.usaid.gov/philippines/fact-sheets/usaidrebuild-building-resilient-communities USAID Publications. (2016, October 11). Winds of Change. Retrieved from https://usaidpubs.exposure.co/winds-of-change

Livelihood abound; folks troop to 22nd HEAT IT. The Bohol Chronicle (2015, June 21). Retrieved from http://boholchronicle. com.ph/2015/06/21/livelihood-abound-folks-troop-to-22nd-heat-it/

Case 4

Pimentel, A. (2011, October 8). The Local Government Code: After 20 years after. In Minda News. Retrieved from http:// www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2011/budyong-the-local-government-code-after-20-years

Department of Trade and Industry (2015). 2015 MSME Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.dti.gov.ph/businesses/msmes/ msme-resources/msme-statistics

Case 2 ABA ROLI/Philippines (n.d.) Enhanced Governance through Judicial Sector Reform in the Philippines/ Increasing Judicial Efficiency to Promote Economic Development in the Philippines - Cooperative Agreement No. AID 492-00-09-00026-00 Final Report. Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pdacw939.pdf Bernal, B. (2015, September 27). Sereno: Tech-savvy courts less prone to corruption. Rappler. Retrieved from http://www. rappler.com/move-ph/social-good-summit/927-sgs2015/107179-sereno-technology-courts-less-corruption Biswal, N. (2013, January 5). Judicial Reform and Economic Growth in the Philippines. Retrieved from https://blog.usaid. gov/2013/01/judicial-reform-and-growth-in-the-philippines/ Ecourts fully operational in 287 trial courts by end-2016 (2016, August 25). Rappler. Retrieved from http://www.rappler.com/ nation/144177-e-courts-operational-end-2016 eCourts well on the way to fruition (2017, January 30). Malaya. Retrieved from http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/ news/ecourts-well-way-fruition SC chief launches 24 small claims courts (2008, September 30). GMANews.TV. Retrieved from http://www.gmanetwork.com/ news/story/124022/news/nation/sc-chief-launches-24-small-claims-courts Updates On Judicial Sector Reforms That Impact on Enforcement of Contracts (2015, May). Retrieved from http://www. competitive.org.ph/doingbusiness/reference/downloads/Summit/forupload/RDEC/EC_REFERENCE6_Key_Updates.pdf

BSP and Microfinance. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Retrieved from http://www.bsp.gov.ph/about/microfinance_BSP.asp Nègre, A. (January, 2017). Market Facilitation to Advance Financial Inclusion - USAID in the Philippines (1996/2012): A Case Study. Retrieved from http://www.cgap.org/sites/default/files/Working-Paper-Market-Facilitation-to-Advance-FinancialInclusion.pdf on February 2015 Republic Act No. 9501 (Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises). Retrieved from http://www.chanrobles.com/ republicacts/republicactno9501.html#.WJb74hqXDDc USAID Philippines. Innovations in Expanding Access to Microfinance: Microenterprise Access to Banking Services Program, Phase 4 Final Report (2012). Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pdacy232.pdf Case 5 Carana Corporation and Nathan Associates (2008, October). Economic Modernization through Efficient Reforms and Governance Enhancement (EMERGE) Final Report. Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pdacs181.pdf Executive Order No. 219-1995 - Establishing the Domestic and International Civil Aviation Liberalization Policy. Retrieved from http://www.gov.ph/1995/01/03/executive-order-no-219-s-1995/ Executive Order No. 170-2003. - Promoting Private Sector Participation and Investment in the Development and Operation of the Road Roll-On-Roll-Off Terminal System (RRTS). Retrieved from http://www.marina.gov.ph/policies/EO/eo170.pdf Nathan Associates (2000, March 3). An Evaluation of the Accelerated Investment and Liberalization with Equity (AGILE) Project Final Report: 58. Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pdach699.pdf

Case 3

Nathan Associates (1994, November). Liner Shipping Route Study, Northern Islands Shipping Services Evaluation Report. Support for Development Program II: Philippine Sea Transport Consultancy. Final Report, (Vol . IV).

Evangelista, P. and the Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com (2013, December 18). Kerry: $24.6M more for Yolanda rehab.

Rappler. Retrieved from http://www.rappler.com/nation/46147-kerry-visits-typhoon-ravaged-tacloban

NEDA (2013). Chapter 5. Accelerating Infrastructure Development. In Philippine Development Plan, 2011-2016. Retrieved from http://www.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/CHAPTER-5.pdf

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Case 6

Case 9

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Armada, N., White, A.T., Christie, P. (2009) Managing fisheries resources in Danajon Bank, Bohol, Philippines: An ecosystembased approach. Coastal Management, 37:308-330. DOI: 10.1080/08920750902851609

Education Development Center, Inc. (2016, January 30). USAID/Philippines Basa Pilipinas Program Annual Progress Report: Year 3.

Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00KX9F.pdf EQUALL2 Project (n.d.). Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills - Phase 2 (EQuALLS2). Retrieved from http://idd.edc.org/sites/idd.edc.org/files/EQUIP3%20EQUALLS2%20Web.pdf SEAMEO Innotech (2007, May). Policy Research on Access to Quality Basic Education for Muslim Learners: Final Report. Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pnadk756.pdf USAID (2016, May 17). Basa Pilipinas (Read Philippines). Retrieved from https://www.usaid.gov/philippines/education/basapilipinas USAID Office of Inspector General (2010, September 23). Audit of USAID/Philippines’ Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills Program, Phase II. Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PDACS121.pdf

Barut, N.C., Santos, M.D., and Garces, L.R. (2004). Overview of Philippine marine fisheries. In DA-BFAR (Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) In Turbulent Seas: Status of Philippine Marine Fisheries. Retrieved from http://www.oneocean.org/download/db_files/fshprofl.pdf Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation Inc (2013). A Profile of Danajon Bank Philippines: A Portfolio of the Coastal Resource/Socio-economic Status and Coastal Resource Management Programs in Danajon Bank. Retrieved from http://www. coast.ph/sites/default/files/DBP_CRM_Profile(2013)-CCEF.pdf Local Government Code of 1991. Republic Act No. 7160 series of 1991.

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USAID Philippines (2004). Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills. Retrieved from http://www.equalls.org/ about_equalls.htm

Case 10

Case 7

AECOM (2015, August 6). Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) Project -Year Two Annual Report, July 8, 2014 to July 7, 2015. Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00KRBM.pdf

Alba, B. (2016, March 2). Industry boom fuels demand for highly-competent construction managers. Gadgets Magazine.

Retrieved from http://www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph/technology/technology-news/industry-boom-fuels-demand-for-highlycompetent-construction-managers.html Perez, A. (2016, March 6). Jobs-skills mismatch crisis confronts 2016 graduates. CNN Philippines. Retrieved from http:// cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/03/06/jobs-skills-mismatch-crisis-graduates.html RTI International (2016, October 30). STRIDE Annual Report 2015. Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PA00KTW9. pdf USAID. (2016, May 17). Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) Project. Retrieved from https:// www.usaid.gov/philippines/partnership-growth-pfg/stride Case 8 Sustainable Development Solutions (2014, April 30). Final Performance Evaluation USAID Philippines Alliance for Mindanao OffGrid Renewable Energy (AMORE) 3 Program. Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pa00jx3j.pdf USAID (2009, December). Building Alliances Series: Energy. In Building Alliances Sector Guide Series. Retrieved from https://www. usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1880/Energy_Guide.pdf

DENR RO 9 (n.d.). Pasonanca Natural Park Profile. Retrieved from http://r9.denr.gov.ph/images/PENROs/ZC/pasonanca%20 natural%20park.pdf Garcia, B. (2016, August 2). Water firm to build P165-M sewerage treatment plant. Sunstar. Retrieved from http://www.sunstar. com.ph/zamboanga/local-news/2016/08/02/water-firm-build-p165-m-sewerage-treatment-plant-488972 RDC 9/ NEDA 9 (2010, December 10). Zamboanga Peninsula Medium-Term Regional Development Plan Development Plan 2011-2016. Retrieved from http://www.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/RegIX_RDP_2011-2016.pdf Taghoy, E.D. (2016, February 19). Water Demand Management Program launched in Zambo. PIA. Retrieved from http://news. pia.gov.ph/article/view/2831455861259/water-demand-management-program-launched-in-zambo USAID. Water Security For Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (BE SECURE) Project. Retrieved from https://www.usaid.gov/ philippines/energy-and-environment/be-secure USAID Be Secure Project. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/besecureph/ Water rationing on (2014, October 29). Zamboanga Times. Retrieved from https://zamboangatimes.ph/top-news/12809water-rationing-on.html World Bank (2003, December 12). Philippine Environment Monitor 2003. Retrieved from http://documents.worldbank.org/ curated/en/144581468776089600/Philippines-Environment-monitor-2003 Zamboanga City Water District. Retrieved from http://www.zcwd.gov.ph/

Case 11 JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc. (2005). Tango II Final Report, Project Summary. Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_ docs/Pdacf212.pdf USAID. Community Maternal, Neonatal, Child Health and Nutrition Scale Up (CMSU). Retrieved from https://www.usaid.gov/ philippines/health/cmsu Well-Family Midwife Clinic. Retrieved from http://healthmarketinnovations.org/program/well-family-midwife-clinic Case 12 Philhealth (2014). PhilHealth History. Retrieved from https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/about_us/history.html Philhealth (2016). PhilHealth@20: Two Decades of Sustainable and Responsive Social Health Insurance - Annual Report 2015.

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USAID (2016, August 19). Philippines: Innovations and Multi-Sectoral Partnerships to Achieve Control of TB. Retrieved from https:// www.usaid.gov/philippines/health/impact World Health Organization. Global Tuberculosis Report 2016. Retrieved from http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstre am/10665/250441/1/9789241565394-eng.pdf?ua=1 date Case 14 Barut, N.C. and Garvilles E.G. (2016). Annual Report to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission: Part 1: Information on Fisheries, Research, and Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.wcpfc.int/system/files/AR-CCM-20%20PHILIPPINES%20 PART%201.pdf GEM and The Louis Berger Group Inc. (n.d.). Growth with Equity in Mindanao Program Volume II (Annex Volumen) August 28, 1995 – September 30, 2002. Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/Pdaby920.pdf Gen. Santos City airport to be fully operational (1996, March 19). Philippine Daily Inquirer. C6.

Glenn, A. and Dy, R. (1990, July 6). Overview of the Philippine Agribusiness Sector and Recommendations. Retrieved from http://pdf. usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNABT021.pdf Schiavo-Campo, S. and Judd, M. (2005). The Mindanao Conflict in the Philippines: Roots, Costs, and Potential Peace Dividend.

Retrieved from http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTCPR/214578-1111996036679/20482477/WP24_Web.pdf Tan, M.Y. (2013). The Making of the Philippine Tuna Capital. Retrieved from http://www.sffaii.com/2016/03/the-making-ofphilippine-tuna-capital.html Case 15

Case 13

Mindanao Youth for Development. Retrieved from https://www.edc.org/mindanao-youth-development-mydev#key-activities

Golla, D. P., & Meyer, L. (May/June 2016). The Hills and Valleys of Tuberculosis in the Philippines. FrontLines, Online Edition.

Retrieved from https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/frontlines/may-june-2016/hills-and-valleys-tuberculosis-philippines

Mindanao Youth For Development (MYDEV). Retrieved from https://www.usaid.gov/philippines/education/mydev date

Meyer, L. (July/August 2015). Meet the People Who Are Ending Tuberculosis in the Philippines,” FrontLines, Online Edition.

Retrieved from https://www.usaid.gov/news-information/frontlines/millennium-development-goals/meet-people-who-areending-tuberculosis Philippine Statistics Authority (2015). MDG Watch: Statistics at a Glance of the Philippines’ Progress Based on the MDG Indicators.

Retrieved from http://nap.psa.gov.ph/stats/mdg/mdg_watch.asp USAID (2016, December 16). TB Champions. Retrieved from https://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/global-health/tuberculosis/ world-tb-day-2015/tb-champions

National Education for All Committee (2014). Philippine Education for All 2015 Plan of Action: An Assessment of Progress Made in Achieving the EFA Goals. Retrieved from http://www.seameo-innotech.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/EFA%20V30.pdf PHILIPPINE MAP Bruce Jones Design Inc. (2010). Royalty Free Philippines Printable, Blank Maps. Retrieved from http://www. freeusaandworldmaps.com/html/Countries/Asia%20Countries/Philippines.html. 9 May 2017.

Students from Anahaway Elementary School in Leyte show their thanks to the U.S. Government after receiving newly constructed classrooms, classroom furniture and learning materials.

Their school was heavily damaged

by Typhoon Yolanda.

ABOUT THE COVER Students of Palo I Central School in Leyte find a reason to smile again with the construction of new classrooms by USAID. The U.S. Government, through USAID, constructed more than 300 classrooms in Leyte and Samar Provinces following the destruction caused by Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.

U.S. Agency for International Development U.S. Embassy, 1201 Roxas Boulevard Ermita, Manila, Philippines Postal Code - M 1000 T +63 (2) 301-6000 / F +63 (2) 301-6213 A @USAID_Manila B facebook.com/usaid.philippines/ www.usaid.gov/philippines