USAID strengthens commitment with local partners

By Jennifer C. Tilos

Thursday 2nd of August 2012

DUMAGUETE CITY, Aug 2 (PIA) -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) plans to work more closely with a greater number of local organizations in the country .

This will enable it to deliver its programs more effectively, USAID Mission Director Gloria Steele said in a press statement.

This expanded engagement with local organizations is part of "USAID Forward," an ambitious reform effort, USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah said. This will help modernize and strengthen the work of USAID missions around the world, including the Philippines.

USAID Forward will also strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of USAID's programs around the world and will emphasize science, technology, and innovation.

Working with the Ayala Foundation, USAID already provides a range of capacity building services to strengthen local community organizations in core organizational management competencies.

Early this month, USAID posted new solicitations seeking proposals from local organizations for two upcoming projects: "Communication for Health Advancement through Networking and Governance Enhancement" and "Health Policy Development Program – Phase 2 (HPDP2)."

The USAID is the US government’s development arm.

“Over the last 50 years, USAID has worked with public and private partners to help communities throughout the Philippines to reduce maternal and child mortality," Steele said.

Steele added that USAID aims to foster good governance and rule of law, increase economic opportunities, protect the environment, improve access to basic education, strengthen peace in conflict-affected Mindanao and recover from natural disasters that are embedded in the projects.

To further the impact of its efforts in the Philippines in the coming years, USAID takes steps to work directly with a broader range of Filipino partners on upcoming programs.

“USAID Philippines values the partnerships it has built with the government, the private sector and civil society to meet our development objectives," Steele said.

USAID has posted more information on several websites such as http://philippines.usaid.gov, www.grants.gov and www.fedbizops.gov. (mbcn/JCT-PIA7 Negros Oriental)