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Gov’t can 'provide funding' for frozen USAID projects in PH: NEDA exec
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is continuing its projects funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), despite a 90-day foreign aid freeze ordered by US President Donald Trump.
NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon stated that ongoing technical assistance from USAID is proceeding, with many USAID staff providing input out of goodwill.
Edillon mentioned that the Philippine government can "provide funding" for some projects that USAID may have to abandon, particularly studies that USAID is supporting, as the country is no longer heavily reliant on USAID for essential infrastructure.
The Philippine government has the option to seek aid from other foreign development partners if needed.
NEDA records indicate that there are 33 new and ongoing projects currently supported by USAID grants, with a portion of the $485.59 million already disbursed.
This development comes as a US judge temporarily halted Trump's order to place 2,200 USAID workers on paid leave amidst his administration's efforts to dismantle the agency.
The Department of Education (DepEd) earlier said that the dismantling of the USAID may hit several development projects in the Philippines, affecting P4 billion in DepEd projects.
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The Department of Education (DepEd) will continue USAID-supported projects, exhausting all means to sustain programs on early-grade literacy, numeracy, social-emotional learning, and support for learners with special needs, despite a P4 billion funding freeze.
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The closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) poses a significant risk to P4 billion worth of education projects in the Philippines, including a critical initiative to enhance reading skills for young learners.
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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) declined to comment on the US's review of its foreign assistance programs but affirmed the value of development cooperation.
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Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed the strong alliance between the Philippines and the US, particularly on development cooperation, during a meeting at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on February 14.
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