The following is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Shejal Pulivarti:
From March 18-22, Deputy Administrator Paloma Adams-Allen visited the Philippines to advance shared development priorities to promote a resilient and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
During her trip, the Deputy Administrator reaffirmed the longstanding commitment of the United States to the people of the Philippines and the robust partnership with the national government in piloting innovations in key areas, including economic development, strengthening health systems, environmental protection, disaster response and preparedness, and inclusive education.
While in Manila, she signed an agreement with the Philippines Department of Health to provide an additional $10 million in assistance, subject to Congressional notification, to be matched by $11 million in funding from the Philippines. This agreement will build on joint efforts to prevent, detect, and treat tuberculosis, which kills an estimated 106 Filipinos each day. One hundred percent of USAID's investment will go towards local health partners, including community health workers.
The Deputy Administrator reiterated the United States' commitment to preserving the marine resources of the Philippines and, in doing so, bolstering the country's economic resilience and creating livelihood opportunities for vulnerable populations. She visited a women-led community-based recycling center in Parañaque City that serves as a model for other communities across the country in addressing ocean plastics pollution and empowering women. In Batangas City, together with local government officials, she reinforced the need to sustainably manage natural resources, particularly in the Verde Island Passage, at a handover ceremony of coral reef monitoring equipment to be used by youth citizen scientists.
The Deputy Administrator met with the Office of Civil Defense in Quezon City to bolster USAID's strong partnership and collaboration with Philippines disaster first responders, emphasizing USAID's continued commitment to building the country's capacity of the people to respond to typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mass displacements. USAID, as part of the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines, partners to strengthen disaster and humanitarian responses, and increase access to economic assistance for local communities.
To advance USAID's commitment to locally-led development, the Deputy Administrator engaged with local civil society organizations and reinforced USAID's support for human rights, education, and inclusive development, including for youth who have left school, women and girls, and children with disabilities. She also led a conversation with a cross-section of Filipino partner organizations to further understand and identify ways to alleviate the burdens they face working with USAID. With her visit to an elementary school in Batangas City, the Deputy Administrator saw the impact of a USAID-supported Inclusive Learning Resource Center serving deaf, blind, and deafblind students, their educators, and their families by providing resources, training and curriculum - a model that is being replicated by the Philippines Department of Education. At Quezon City University, the Deputy Administrator engaged a group of young Filipinos who left school and are now getting a second chance at education and skills training with the support of USAID.
Finally, Deputy Administrator Adams-Allen thanked the staff of USAID's Mission in Manila for their efforts to deepen the U.S.-Philippines relationship, and got an update on the status of the Mission's implementation of internal workforce and operations reforms. The Deputy Administrator underscored the Agency's efforts to better support staff at the Mission, including junior officers and Foreign Service Nationals.
