USA Grants $213 Million to Fund Poverty Reduction & Good Governance

The United States has provided the Philippines a $213 million or ₱10.8 billion grant to fund projects aimed towards good governance, poverty reduction, and promoting private-sector led growth.

The Department of Finance (DOF) said the grant from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will finance the Economic Growth and Democratic Governance with Equity (EGDGE) program, to be implemented over a 5-year period until September 2025.

Carlos Dominguez III, Finance Secretary, said “This American aid in support of the overriding concern of the Duterte government underscores the strong and enduring bilateral ties between the US Government and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines that transcend the political chatter,”

The grant covers technical assistance on public financial management, promoting transparent regulations, encouraging private infrastructure investments, and developing startups as well as small and medium-sized enterprises. The grant also aims to promote new economic hubs in areas outside Metro Manila.

The US Embassy also announced that 3 grants were also in the pipeline, focusing on aid for the Department of Health, the Department of Education, and the National Economic and Development Authority.