Partners in the Philippines’ Development

Working toward a more stable, inclusive, resilient,

and well-governed Philippines
SEPTEMBER 2023
Cover photo: After Typhoon Paeng in October 2022, tons of seagrass accumulated on the shores of Masinloc, Luzon Island, Philippines, prompting
residents to develop ways to utilize these organic waste products. They now collect and air dry the seagrass and sell it to entrepreneurs who
process it into fertilizer. To make the enterprise more sustainable, residents only harvest seagrass that has already washed ashore. Seagrass that is
alive and growing in shallow in-shore areas serves as a coastal habitat for marine species. USAID supports communities in Masinloc to improve
livelihoods and sustainably conserve these important marine resources. (Photo credit: Blue Motus for USAID)

*This photo was among the winners of the 2023 USAID Biodiversity Photo Contest.
WHO WE ARE
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) leads the U.S. government’s
international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen
democratic governance, and help people progress beyond assistance.

USAID has a long-standing history and reputation of partnering with countries around the world
to implement long-term development efforts and working together with individuals,
communities, and countries to improve everyday lives. For more than 60 years, USAID has
exemplified the best of American values abroad—while advancing the safety and prosperity of
Americans at home.

U.S. foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America's interests while
improving lives in the developing world. USAID carries out U.S. foreign policy by promoting
broad-scale human progress at the same time it expands stable, free societies, creates markets
and trade partners for the United States, and fosters good will abroad.

USAID works in over 100 countries to:

- Promote global health;

- Support global stability;
- Strengthen good governance;
- Drive inclusive economic growth;
- Provide humanitarian assistance;
- Boost environmental resilience;
- Educate and train children and youth;
- Catalyze innovation and partnership; and
- Empower women, girls, and people with disabilities.

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WHAT WE DO

USAID transforms. It transforms families, communities, and countries – so they can

thrive and prosper. Whether by preventing the next global epidemic, responding to a
devastating earthquake, or helping a farmer access tools to grow her business.

USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving
development results. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity,
demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience.

The purpose of foreign aid should be ending the need for its existence, and we provide
development assistance to help partner countries on their own development journey to
self-reliance – looking at ways to help lift lives, build communities, and establish self-sufficiency.
Our efforts are both from and for the American people.

USAID demonstrates America’s good will around the world; increases global stability by
addressing the root causes of violence; opens new markets and generates opportunity for trade;
creates innovative solutions for once unsolvable development challenges; saves lives; improves
human capital; and advances democracy, governance, and peace.

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COUNTRY PROFILE
A long-time ally of the United States and the oldest democracy in Southeast Asia, the Philippines
is a key partner in promoting resilient and inclusive development in the Indo-Pacific. For more
than 60 years, the U.S. government, through USAID, has worked with the Philippine government
and local organizations to achieve shared development goals. Since 1961, USAID has invested
nearly 290 billion pesos to support Philippine development priorities.

An archipelago of more than 7,500 islands, the Philippines spans three geographical areas —
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The United States partners with the Philippines to drive inclusive
and sustainable economic growth, foster strong democratic systems, uphold human rights,
support quality health and education systems, promote responsible natural resource
management, and enhance resilience for communities and the environment.

Focusing on strengthening economic growth, democratic governance, health, education, and

environmental resilience, USAID partners with national and local governments, the private sector,
civil society organizations, academia, and communities to advance sustainable, inclusive
development while advancing the vision of a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and
resilient Indo-Pacific.

USAID/PHILIPPINES
- Manages investments of approximately $100 million annually
- Takes seriously its stewardship of these resources and reports regularly to the U.S.
Congress and the U.S. administration
- Has over 100 staff of business professionals, doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other
experts in the fields of governance, management, economics, environment, education,
health, communications, gender, and monitoring and evaluation.
- Designs projects that are inclusive, relevant to local conditions, and timely
- Conducts regular evaluations, audits and on-site monitoring of all its investments
- Has the stature to convene meetings with bilateral and multilateral donor organizations
- Works in partnership with the government, private sector, and citizens of the Philippines
- Excels in cooperation with international and domestic partners
- Actively forges partnerships with the private sector

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Economic Development and Governance
While the Philippines has emerged as one of the
fastest growing economies in the region, many
Filipinos are being left behind. USAID promotes
inclusive economic growth and encourages
investment by promoting reforms that create a
favorable environment for private enterprise to
thrive. This includes efforts to reduce regulatory
bottlenecks and barriers to greater trade and
investment; improve the environment for
competition; enhance Philippine competitiveness;
and support the digital transformation of the
Philippine economy. USAID also partners with urban
centers outside of Metro Manila to help them become engines of sustainable, resilient economic
growth.

In addition, USAID collaborates closely with the Philippine government and civil society to uphold
shared democratic values. Together, the U.S. and the Philippines work to strengthen local and
participatory governance, reduce corruption, increase political participation, support the conduct
of free and fair elections, enhance civic engagement and youth leadership, and expand access to
justice. To promote peace and stability in Mindanao, USAID strengthens government institutions,
supports policy development and reforms, and fosters engagement with civil society
organizations to empower inclusive participation in the Bangsamoro transition. USAID also
enhances the capacity of local organizations to provide assistance in the critical areas of
trafficking in persons, food security, and disaster relief.

Health
The Government of the Philippines faces key
challenges in its health sector that impede its ability
to provide quality, accessible, and equitable
healthcare to the over 100 million Filipinos living in
the country. These challenges include global health
crises and natural disasters, weak health systems
performance, and gaps in the continuum of care.
Underserved populations continue to suffer from a
high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB)—including
multidrug-resistant TB; a concentrated HIV
epidemic; rising infectious disease outbreaks—
including measles, dengue, and zoonotic diseases; high unmet need for family planning; high
teenage pregnancy rates; and preventable maternal and newborn deaths. Out-of-pocket
expenditure still accounts for a significant proportion of health spending, putting Filipino families

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at risk for impoverishment when accessing health services. Cross-cutting issues like gender
inequality and the impact of climate change also affect people’s access to quality healthcare.

To address these challenges, USAID works with the Philippine government to strengthen health
systems, promote positive social norms and behaviors, and improve the quality of primary health
care. USAID also supports national and local government in implementing the Universal Health
Care Law by enhancing health leadership and governance, training healthcare workers,
strengthening public financial management, improving supply chain management, refining health
information systems, and expanding coverage of quality health services.

Environment
Millions of Filipinos rely on agriculture, forestry, and
fisheries for their livelihoods, but frequent natural
disasters, ineffective management, and lapses in
environmental law enforcement threaten these critical
natural resources. Water and air pollution levels exceed
generally accepted health standards; and greenhouse
gas emissions are increasing from rapid urbanization,
land conversion, mismanaged plastic waste, and
increased demands on the transport and power sectors.
These drivers, coupled with the country’s location in the
Pacific, make the Philippines consistently rank as one of the world’s most vulnerable to the
impacts of climate change and natural disasters.

The U.S. government has a strong, decades-long partnership with the government of the
Philippines on environmental conservation. Through USAID, the United States partners with the
Philippines to protect the Philippines’ vast natural resources, promote water and energy security,
support the country’s low carbon transition, combat illegal and exploitative fishing practices, and
reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts and natural disasters.

Education
To support broad-based and inclusive growth, USAID
works with partners to improve the quality of basic,
technical workforce development, and higher education
across the country for children and youth, including
learners with disabilities.

In basic education, USAID invests in the next

generation’s foundational early-grade reading and math
skills and supports inclusive education for deaf, blind,
and deafblind learners. USAID also strengthens
education governance at the local level and is a major

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partner implementing the Philippine government’s Basic Education Learning Continuity Program
that responds to the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the education sector.

USAID is also active in providing education, economic, and leadership opportunities to youth,
including vulnerable out-of-school youth. Through industry partnerships, USAID is training Filipino
workers to meet the rapidly evolving advanced manufacturing sector. USAID is also strengthening
systems and the capacity of stakeholders such as national government agencies, local
governments, civil society, universities, and the private sector to deliver education and training so
that out-of-school youth may return to school, join the workforce, or start their own businesses.
Leadership and civic engagement training also builds social connections and trust to help youth
become more resilient. In higher education, USAID is working with universities to align research
and curricula with industry demands, and strengthening the science, technology and innovation
ecosystem.

Humanitarian Assistance
Situated along the Western Pacific tropical storm
region and the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is
among the most disaster-prone countries in the
world. An average of 20 cyclones affect the country
each year, triggering floods, landslides, and storm
surges that frequently result in the loss of houses and
other infrastructure, lives, and livelihoods. Located
between two major fault lines and with more than 20
active volcanoes, the Philippines also experiences
high levels of seismic and volcanic activity.

USAID supports robust capacity building and disaster risk reduction programs that coordinate
with the Philippine government, local communities, the private sector, and non-governmental
organizations to help vulnerable populations prepare for and respond to disasters, while
addressing the long-term needs of at-risk communities. USAID also funds rapid emergency
responses to natural disasters that address the humanitarian needs of people affected by
sudden-onset events, such as Super Typhoon Rai (locally known as Odette). USAID support is
critical in helping the Philippines to further develop its preparedness and capacity to deliver
timely and effective assistance, as climate change exacerbates natural hazards facing the country.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNANCE

Accelerate Women's Entrepreneurship for Peace and Prosperity in Mindanao (ACCELERATE)

Implementation Period: August 2020 – August 2024
Implementing Partner: The Asia Foundation
Total Estimated Investment: $2.5 million
Geographic scope: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)

Despite the presence of conflict in BARMM, an increasing number of women are establishing
successful businesses and micro-enterprises, particularly in agriculture, food production, textiles,
brassware production, and other handicrafts. On top of the conflict, these businesses face
challenges such as access to finance and markets, scaling-up, and networking. However, only a
few policies or programs are designed to support women’s economic development in the
Bangsamoro. ACCELERATE aims to help strengthen peace and stability in BARMM by accelerating
women’s economic empowerment in the region. The project works to measure women’s
economic participation and entrepreneurship in Bangsamoro; empower women to succeed in the
workforce and women entrepreneurs to launch and grow businesses; support women
entrepreneurs and business leaders to build connections and access new markets; and improve
the enabling environment for women’s entrepreneurship and economic opportunities

Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON)

Implementation Period: June 2021 – June 2026
Implementing Partner: Nathan Associates
Total estimated Investment: $33.3 million
Geographic Scope: Nationwide

Building the country’s information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure is

fundamental to improving its competitiveness for trade and investment, which would increase
employment and income generation. Working with government and private sector partners,
BEACON is improving the quality of ICT infrastructure; enhancing the enabling environment and
regulatory governance for greater ICT investment; and strengthening cybersecurity protection. By
addressing gaps in internet access and connectivity, BEACON hopes to reduce the cost of doing

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business, improve productivity of private enterprise, and increase the benefits of the digital
economy. Improvements in digital infrastructure will also enable the efficient delivery of public
services, connect the underserved and remote regions, and expand economic opportunity.

Cities for Enhanced Accountability, Governance, and Engagement (CHANGE)

Implementation Period: July 2021 – June 2026
Implementing Partner: International City/County Management Association (ICMA)
Total Estimated Investment: $15 million
Geographic scope: USAID Cities Development Initiative (CDI) sites – Batangas, Cagayan de Oro,
General Santos, Iloilo, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran, Zamboanga, Tacloban

CHANGE supports strengthened democratic governance in the Philippines by making local

governance more responsive. Working with CDI partner cities, the project seeks to achieve more
responsive local governance by strengthening the enabling environment for decentralization;
enhancing service delivery capacity, legitimacy, transparency, and accountability; and
empowering citizens by increasing their participation in and oversight of local governance
processes.

Democratic Governance Support to the Bangsamoro Transition (FORWARD Bangsamoro)

Implementation Period: October 2019 – September 2025
Implementing Partner: The Asia Foundation
Total Estimated Investment: $4 million
Geographic scope: BARMM

In July 2018, the Philippine government ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law, which established
the BARMM. The six-year transition period is crucial to both the Bangsamoro and the Philippines
to bolster local governance and nurture economic growth. USAID, in partnership with The Asia
Foundation, works closely with key regional government institutions to improve their overall
capacity; provide technical assistance on priority legislation and policy measures; and encourage
community engagement with the BARMM and Bangsamoro Transition Authority. USAID
assistance helps citizens of the Bangsamoro build a more effective and accountable government
that is well-positioned to advance peace, security, and inclusive economic growth in the region.

Development Credit Authority Loan Portfolio Guarantee for 1st Valley Bank
Implementing Period: September 2018 – September 2028
Implementing Partner: 1st Valley Bank (1VB)
Total Estimated Investment: $401,800
Geographic Scope: Mindanao

The Development Credit Authority (DCA) Loan Portfolio Guarantee for 1VB is structured to
encourage lending to domestic, commercial businesses, predominantly small- and medium-sized

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enterprises (SME), in Mindanao – including Marawi and surrounding areas. This portfolio
guarantee supports inclusive growth and employment across priority agribusiness sectors,
including agricultural supply chains and rural SMEs, while also promoting peace and stability in
conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. Under this activity, DCA funds are used to provide up to 50
percent guarantee cover to potential net principal loss on qualified loans while 1VB uses its own
funds to finance loans to qualifying borrowers in the target regions.

Enduring Peace in the Bangsamoro

Implementation Period: October 2020 – 2023
Implementing Partner: Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
Total Estimated Investment: $1.1 million
Geographic scope: BARMM, Basilan, Maguindanao and Cotabato City

Enduring Peace in the Bangsamoro improves participatory governance structures; develops

community-owned peacebuilding mechanisms grounded in policy; and fosters trust, empathy,
and mutual understanding among communities in Basilan, Maguindanao, and Cotabato City.
Employing a People-to-People approach while maintaining sensitivity to local cultural contexts
and ensuring Do No Harm principles are upheld, the project facilitates safe interactions –
horizontally (personal and relational change) between individuals, identity, and sectoral groups
and vertically (structural change) between communities and state institutions – to contribute to
transparent and accountable governance and effective social cohesion so the peace process can
deepen and flourish.

Greening Agri-Food Value Chains through Carbon-Based Inputs for Agriculture and Waste
Recovery in Caraga Region, Mindanao (Greening CARAGA)
Implementation Period: October 2022 – September 2024
Implementing Partner: Foundation for Rural Enterprise and Ecology Development of Mindanao
Total Estimated Investment: $637,081
Geographic scope: CARAGA Region

The Greening CARAGA project supports pollution reduction and resource-efficient processes in
agri-food value chains in the region, contributing to a greener economy and poverty reduction in
the Philippines. To reduce waste in agricultural value chains and create economic opportunities
for vulnerable communities in CARAGA, the activity promotes the use of carbon-based inputs
(CBI) such as biochars, biofertilizers, and biopesticides that are produced from agricultural waste
like rice husks and other agricultural crops. The project also develops the supply chain and
business model for CBI to expand the market and demand for CBIs as a viable and greener
alternative to traditional fertilizer.

Initiative for Advancing Community Transformation (I-ACT)

Implementation Period: July 2019 – July 2024

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Implementing Partner: The Asia Foundation (TAF)
Total Estimated Investment: $7,980,500
Geographic scope: Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern
Mindanao

Founded on the Philippines’ and the United States’ shared democratic values, including respect
for human rights, USAID, TAF, and other partners support 115 local civil society organizations in
using behavior science approaches for civic engagement. Collaborating with non-traditional
democracy partners such as IT organizations and communications firms, I-ACT analyzed rights
knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors to develop hope-based messages that can inspire digital
communities to seek, affirm, and claim human rights. I-ACT is a partner of four major human
rights coalitions in the Philippines: the Philippine Alliance for Human Rights Advocates, the
Alternative Law Groups, Child Rights Network, and iDEFEND.

Initiative for Media Freedom

Implementing Period: July 2019 – July 2024
Implementing Partner: Internews
Total Estimated Investment: $7.7 million
Geographic Scope: National level

The Initiative for Media Freedom aims to support an independent and free press, counter
disinformation, promote political inclusion, and enhance democratic governance in the
Philippines. In partnership with respected and credible organizations from media, civil society,
and academia, the Initiative for Media Freedom implements activities organized along three
objectives to 1) improve the environment for a free press; 2) bolster capacity of media and other
organizations to address disinformation; 3) strengthen self-regulation of the media sector.

Local Works – Assets, Agency, and Trust: Domestic Resource Mobilization as a Strategy for
Promoting Locally-owned and Locally-led Development in the Philippines
Implementing Period: January 2021 – December 2023
Implementing Partner: GlobalGiving
Total Estimated Investment: $2 million
Geographic Scope: National level

Sustainable funding is one of the key challenges faced by non-government organizations around
the world, including the Philippines. USAID works with GlobalGiving to support the financial
sustainability of civil society organizations through resource mobilization with an emphasis on
community philanthropy. This project also helps ensure that resources are used effectively and
transparently for the benefit of organizations’ constituents.

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Local Works – Facilitating Local Access to Water (FLoW)
Implementing Period: January 2021 – January 2024
Implementing Partner: Alay sa Kapatid Foundation (AKAP) and Local Systems Practice (LSP)
Total Estimated Investment: $294,000
Geographic Scope: Tublay, Benguet

Using locally-led community solutions, USAID and AKAP, with the support of the U.S.-based Local
Systems Practice consortium, improves water access for the residents of Tublay Municipality.
FLoW facilitates systems analysis and stakeholder mapping, including the processes, relationships
and dynamics of all actors. It ensures sustainability by capitalizing on local partners’ ability to
come up with solutions that address their own development challenges, as solutions emerge
from collaborative engagements between and among communities, local officials,
non-governmental organizations and the business sector. FLoW also provides models for
collaborative implementation that can be replicated in sectors beyond water.

Local Works – Impact Pioneers: The Philippines’ First Impact Investment Network Activity
Implementation Period: August 2021 – August 2024
Implementing Partner: Villgro Philippines
Total Estimated Investment: $500,000
Geographic scope: Nationwide

Impact Pioneers supports a local private company to establish the first impact investor network in
the country, seeking to bridge the “missing middle” lack of early-stage risk capital for impact
enterprises. The activity will bridge gaps in financing by creating a strong pool of impact investors
and unlocking local catalytic capital. The network also aims to address the gender financing gap in
the Philippines.

Localworks – Rural-Urban Market Link: Establishing a Mechanism to Promote Inclusive

Livelihood for the Marginalized Poor Activity (RUML)

Implementation Period: October 2022 – September 2025

Implementing Partner: Global Organic and Wellness Corporation (GLOWCorp)
Total Estimated Investment: $1 million
Geographic scope: Nationwide

RUML strengthens market linkages between rural producers and urban consumers to help
increase farmer income and agricultural productivity while contributing to a more steady supply
of safe, nutritious, and affordable food for urban communities. Project activities include
establishing a functional market mechanism called People’s Business Center (PBC); providing
steady supply of safe and nutritious agricultural products from small-scale rural producers who
are expected to obtain fairer prices due to price incentive scheme of the PBC; establishing
different market segments that interact effectively with the organized rural suppliers, and in the

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process generating livelihood opportunities within the value chain; and developing an integrated
digital platform to facilitate data management necessary in the different stages of the value chain
operations.

Logistics Services in Mindanao (LOGISTICS 2)

Implementation Period: May 2020 – April 2024
Implementing Partner: WSP USA
Total Estimated Investment: approx. $5 million
Geographic Scope: Mindanao

LOGISTICS 2 provides security risk management and transportation services and other
administrative support services for short-term visits by USAID personnel and other U.S.
government officials and visitors in Mindanao. The support services include conducting
situational analysis; appraising USAID staff on security-related concerns in areas in Mindanao
with U.S. government programming; and providing administrative support to USAID staff on
organizing meetings, workshops, and high-level events.

Philippines Performance Audit Partnership (PPAP)

Implementing Period: November 2018 –November 2024
Implementing Partner: U.S. Government Accountability Office
Total Estimated Investment: $1.5 million
Geographic Scope: National level

Performance audits are effective tools for assessing the intended development results of public
investments. USAID partners with the Center for Audit Excellent of the U.S. Government
Accountability Office (GAO), a world leader in performance audit, to bolster the capacity of the
Philippine Commission on Audit (COA). GAO experts upskills COA auditors in GAO-style
performance audit and advises COA leadership in implementing organizational changes to
institutionalize the audit model.

Political Participation for Greater Electoral Integrity (PARTICIPATE)

Implementing Period: August 2020 – September 2025
Implementing Partner: Ateneo de Manila University
Total Estimated Investment: $4 million
Geographic Scope: Nation-wide with a special focus on BARMM

PARTICIPATE builds capacity for civil society oversight of elections, supports the improvement of
voter registration and turn-out—particularly among youth, and enhances voter education and
access to reliable information over digital and social media. Critically, PARTICIPATE also engages
civil society and government and political leaders in support of the historic first election taking
place under the newly formed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

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Additionally, PARTICIPATE supports political and electoral policy reform in campaign and political
finance, voter education and registration, and automation technology adoption, among others.

Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development (RESPOND)

Implementation Period: April 2019 – April 2027
Implementing Partner: University of the Philippines Public Administration Research and Extension
Services Foundation, Inc.
Total Estimated Investment: $16 million
Geographic scope: National level

The Philippines faces critical challenges to attracting and facilitating trade and investment,
including the quality of utilities and infrastructure, high entry barriers for new economic players,
and complex processes to start and operate businesses. RESPOND improves regulatory quality to
enhance competitiveness, and ultimately contributes to higher levels of investment and trade,
inclusive growth, and self-reliance. RESPOND pursues interventions that enhance market
competition and strengthen regulatory capacity and governance. To advance market
competition, RESPOND supports reforms that reduce barriers to entry and reduce regulatory
burdens and transaction costs for business. To strengthen the capacity of public officials to
develop and implement quality regulations, RESPOND extends technical assistance that
strengthens regulatory oversight, transparency, and accountability mechanisms. As a
cross-cutting objective, RESPOND expands citizen engagement and the participation of civil
society organizations to advocate for fair and open regulations and a better business
environment.

Strengthening Private Enterprise for the Digital Economy (SPEED)

Implementation Period: July 2022 – July 2027
Implementing Partner: Chemonics International
Total Estimated Investment: $18 million
Geographic scope: Nationwide

SPEED advances the participation of Philippines small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the
digital economy. The project collaborates with the government and private sector, including
chamber and industry associations, to mobilize and maximize available resources in the digital
economy for enterprise-led economic growth. SPEED supports initiatives that promote the use of
digital technologies to accelerate competitiveness, drive innovation, fuel job opportunities, and
enhance the market reach of enterprises. SPEED has four objectives: improve SME capacity and
access to e-commerce platforms; expand and increase the use of e-payment systems and other
financial technology innovations; improve the integration of e-commerce platforms with logistical
supply chains; and increase consumer awareness and protection.

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Strengthening Local Systems and Partnerships for More Effective and Sustainable
Counter-Trafficking in Persons in the Philippines (Strength CTIP-P)
Implementation Period: October 2019 – September 2024
Implementing Partner: Partnership for Development Assistance in the Philippines (PDAP)
Total Estimated Investment: $5 million
Geographic scope: Nationwide

The Philippines maintained the Tier 1 ranking in the 2023 U.S. Department of State Trafficking in
Persons Report, having fully met the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and for
demonstrating serious continued and sustained efforts in combating trafficking in persons.
However, gaps in prosecuting traffickers and ensuring the availability of specialized protection
and providing assistance and reintegration services to victim-survivors remained an issue.
Strength CTIP-P strengthens the local system that prevents and responds to trafficking in persons
and consequently reduces vulnerability at the community level. The project partners with the
national Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and its member government agencies,
its counterpart councils at the local level, civil sector organizations, and the private sector. The
project ensures a holistic approach by applying the four pillars of the U.S. government
counter-trafficking strategy - prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership.

Trade Capacity Building and Technical Assistance III (Interagency Agreement)

Implementation Period: September 2022 – September 2025
Implementing Partner: USAID – Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Total Estimated Investment: $500,000
Geographic scope: Nationwide

This project supports the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s partnership with the Philippine
government to promote and enforce competition law and policy. FTC assists in building the
capacity of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), particularly with respect to regulations
on mergers and acquisition and antitrust. FTC trains PCC staff on drafting and implementing
regulations, conducting investigations, setting up review and notification processes, and building
up cases. It supports the Philippine Department of Justice and the courts on competition law by
training prosecutors and judges on jurisprudence on competition law.

Transforming Rural Agricultural Norms for a Sustainable Mindanao (TRANSFORM)

Implementation Period: October 2022 – September 2024
Implementing Partner: Kennemer Foods International
Total Estimated Investment: $923,456
Geographic scope: Select areas of Mindanao

TRANSFORM supports rural communities in Mindanao to become resilient with sustainable

livelihoods and enhanced ecosystems. The project builds partnerships among national and local
governments, farmer communities, peoples’ organizations, non-governmental organizations, and

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the private sector to advance agroforestry, reforestation, and forest and biodiversity conservation
activities toward carbon certification. TRANSFORM also supports reforestation and forest
conservation activities that benefit sustained community livelihoods and conservation. In
addition, it helps build the capacity of institutions to support environmental reforestation and
forest protection.

Urban Connect
Implementation Period: August 2023 – July 2028
Implementing Partner: WSP USA Solutions, Inc.
Total Estimated Investment: $11 million
Geographic scope: Expanded Cities Development Initiative sites (TBD)

Urban Connect supports secondary cities to become better governed and resilient growth hubs in
order to disperse economic opportunity and improve quality of life outside of Metro Manila and
other high-density areas. To advance local economic development, the project improves the local
regulatory environment for private investment and enterprise growth and strengthens inter-local
government units coordination and connectivity. To improve public service delivery, Urban
Connect strengthens public financial management; advances e-government solutions; and
improves delivery of health and education services. The project also engages the private sector,
promotes resilience, and ensures gender and social inclusion.

Youth Leadership for Democracy (YouthLed)

Implementation Period: August 2020 – July 2025
Implementing Partner: The Asia Foundation
Total Estimated Investment: $11.9 million
Geographic scope: Nationwide with special focus in Metro Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga,
General Santos, Iloilo, Tagbilaran, Puerto Princesa, Legazpi and BARMM

Despite the acknowledged role of the youth and their potential contribution to good governance,
they are under-represented in civic engagement and electoral exercises, where almost a third of
registered youth voters failed to participate in the recent elections. There is little, if any, evidence
that civic education in the Philippines has a concrete impact on youth political participation.
Nevertheless, youth have tremendous potential to significantly influence democratic governance
in the Philippines. A partnership with The Asia Foundation, YouthLed supports the growth of
empowered, autonomous youth constituencies around issues that youth see as priorities, while
amplifying the voices of young women and men in local and national political arenas. This
issue-based approach will anchor leadership development, coalition-building, and civic education
and engagement activities in contexts that are relevant to youth while supporting their
meaningful participation in democratic governance and local and national elections.

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EDUCATION

ABC+ (Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines)

Implementation Period: July 2019 – June 2024
Implementing Partner: RTI International
Total Estimated Investment: $38,500,000
Geographic scope: (Region 5) Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate,
Sorsogon, Naga City, (Region 6) Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental,
Bacolod City, Iloilo City, (BARMM) Maguindanao, Cotabato City, and Special Geographic Areas in
Cotabato Province

Improving education outcomes for all children and youth remains a core challenge for the
Philippine basic education system. At the root of the problem are the poor reading and math
skills of many Filipino students, particularly in the early grades. The ABC+ project helps the
Department of Education and education stakeholders to address the interconnected factors that
contribute to low education outcomes in the poorest performing areas of the Philippines. This
project identifies innovative and sustainable ideas to address the continuing challenges in
literacy, numeracy and socio-emotional learning for children in the Philippines, with a particular
focus on systems strengthening.

Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development Alliance (AMDev)

Implementation Period: August 2022 – July 2027
Implementing Partner: UNILAB Foundation, Inc.
Total Estimated Investment: $10.5 million (US$5.2 million USAID and US$5.3 million private
sector leverage)
Geographic Scope: Metro Manila, Laguna, Batangas, Bataan and Cebu

AMDev seeks to create a highly skilled and adaptive workforce to meet the evolving requirements
of the advanced manufacturing sector through better-defined, harmonized skills and
qualifications descriptors, competencies, and training standards. The alliance also aims to
contribute to the national discourse and policies on strategic human resources for the Philippines
as it attains high-middle income status, shapes businesses to be more internationally
competitive, and positions youth to thrive in Industry 4.0.

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Gabay (Strengthening Inclusive Education for Blind, Deaf and Deafblind Children)
Implementation Period: July 2019 – December 2024
Implementing Partner: Resources for the Blind
Total Estimated Investment: $2.2 million
Geographic scope: Batangas City, Batangas Province, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon Province, Maasin
City, Southern Leyte Province

The Advisory Council for the Education of Children and Youth with Disabilities estimates that two
million children have disabilities in the Philippines. Ninety-five percent of those children are not
in school. Gabay strengthens the access of deaf, blind and deafblind children to quality
education. Through Gabay, USAID enhances screening and referral systems for children with
disabilities to appropriate schools and healthcare providers; trains teachers and parents in
inclusive education strategies, provides assistive devices to community resource centers, and
strengthens the capacity of disabled people’s organizations and parents to engage local
governments for better targeted support for learners with disabilities. Innovations introduced by
Gabay include strengthening and piloting a Filipino sign language curriculum, a Filipino sign
language dictionary, and the Early Grade Reading Assessment for deaf and hard-of-hearing
learners.

Improving Learning Outcomes for the Philippines (ILO-PH)

Implementation Period: August 2023 – August 2028
Implementing Partner: RTI International
Total Estimated Investment: $5 million
Geographic scope: TBD

As part of the broader Improving Learning Outcomes for Asia (ILOA) project, Improving Learning
Outcomes for the Philippines (buy-in) supports a range of education programming, including
early childhood education, basic and secondary education, youth and workforce development,
and higher education. The project aims to provide responsive, on-demand technical assistance
and support to the education sector through ongoing consultations and activity implementation
with the Department of Education (DepEd). Through this partnership, USAID helps boost DepEd’s
capacity in conducting and analyzing large-scale educational assessments. This includes technical
assistance in the development of ‘online dashboards’ that track and measure the progress of
Filipino learners through standardized tests, making education data more accessible to
policymakers and other stakeholders. More broadly, USAID provides regular consultations and
trainings to DepEd personnel in charge of developing the agency’s comprehensive learner
assessment framework. ILO-Ph also aids DepEd in policy-relevant research and measuring
learning recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, helping Filipino educators enhance their
teaching methods and positively impact learning outcomes.

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Local Works – Coalescing Organizations towards Locally Led Actions to Boost Development
(COLLABDev)
Implementation Period: January 2021 – December 2023
Implementing Partner: Action for Economic Reforms, Inc.
Total Estimated Investment: $1.5 million
Geographic Scope: Sorsogon, Leyte, Eastern Samar, Misamis Oriental, and Sultan Kudarat

COLLABDev supports partnerships between local governments, state universities, civil society
organizations, and the private sector to address the human capital needs in ten different
localities. Priority sectors include health care, agricultural extension, and tourism. COLLABDev
also provides training, planning, and implementation support to its network of partners with a
focus on use of data and evidence to drive decision making.

Opportunity 2.0: Improving Second Chance Opportunities for Out-of-school Youth in the
Philippines
Implementation Period: March 2020 – February 2025
Implementing Partner: Education Development Center (EDC)
Total Estimated Investment: $37.5 million
Geographic scope: Quezon City; Pasig City; Valenzuela City; Angeles City; Legazpi City; Cagayan de
Oro; Davao; Iligan City; Zamboanga City; Iloilo City; Isabela City; Cotabato City; General Santos;
Tagbilaran and Cebu

Over three million Filipinos aged 16-24 are currently not enrolled in school, not gainfully
employed, or have not finished college or post-secondary education. More than half of these are
in the bottom 30 percent based on their per capita income and are therefore doubly
disadvantaged by their lack of education and their poverty. Opportunity 2.0 strengthens national
and local systems to help youth return to formal schooling, seek employment, or become
entrepreneurs by enhancing links between education institutions, markets, local communities,
and the various programs that support them. The activity will provide over 180,000 youth with
the skills and opportunities to improve their education, employment and livelihood outcomes
across the Philippines.

U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation and Lifelong Learning (UPSKILL) Project
Implementation Period: August 2023 – July 2028
Implementing Partner: RTI International
Total Estimated Investment: $30 million
Geographic scope: TBD

UPSKILL works with the government, industry, and academia to strengthen the higher education,
innovation, and workforce development systems that support broad-based and inclusive growth.
To achieve this goal, the project strengthens the capacity of higher education institutions in

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innovation and entrepreneurship through faculty and staff training, improving curriculums, and
increasing and improving community extension and technology transfer activities. It also
supports higher education institutions’ ability to provide relevant education and skills training for
industry needs by establishing partnerships to connect academia and industries for structured
work-based learning experiences for students, faculty engagement in industry, and similar
activities. In addition, UPSKILL supports improving higher education governance structures at the
institutional and systems levels and creates convergence around shared development goals.

YouthWorks PH
Implementation Period: June 2018 – September 2026
Implementing Partner: Philippine Business for Education
Total Estimated Investment: $42 million (US$8.8 million USAID and US$33.2 million private sector
leverage)
Geographic scope: Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Zamboanga, General Santos, Iloilo, Cebu, and Metro
Manila

With over 50 percent of its population under 30 years of age, the Philippine “youth bulge" is both
a tremendous challenge and a great opportunity. However, despite the rapid gains in the
Philippine economy, one in four young people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment or
training, with youth accounting for almost half of the unemployed. Additionally, more than a
third of the country's unemployed youth have at least some level of college education. This
indicates a major mismatch between education and job opportunities. YouthWorks PH is a
five-year partnership between USAID and the Philippine Business for Education that engages and
mobilizes the private sector to address the education needs of youth, as well as the skills
requirements of employers. This partnership improves access to training and employment
opportunities for at least 40,000 youth through an innovative work-based training approach. This
approach allows youth to earn a competency certificate from a university or training institute,
while working in partner companies.

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USAID/PHILIPPINES Projects
HEALTH

Expanding Access to Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (RenewHealth)

Implementation Period: May 2019 – May 2024
Implementing Partner: University Research Co., LLC
Total Estimated Investment: $15 million
Geographic Scope: National-level and eight regions - National Capital Region, Central Luzon,
MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Northern
Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos, and Koronadal)

In the Philippines, drug use is a national issue that impacts the health, social, and economic
well-being of Filipinos. RenewHealth works in partnership with Philippine government agencies
to improve the quality of community-based drug rehabilitation (CBDR) and recovery services,
and ultimately reduce drug dependence in the Philippines. The project offers proven public
health approaches to CBDR that persons who use drugs and their families can access without fear
or prejudice. Working with the Philippine government and local stakeholders, the project enables
healthy behaviors and demand for CBDR services; enhances the quality of patient-centered and
compassionate CBDR services, and strengthens the policies and systems for sustainable CBDR
service delivery. Having established the strong correlation between substance use and mental
health issues, the project assists the Department of Health (DOH) in integrating mental health
with substance use management and services. Mental health promotion and interventions are
also being expanded to settings such as schools and workplaces.

Family Planning and Maternal and Neonatal Health Innovations and Capacity Building
Platforms (ReachHealth)
Implementation Period: October 2018 – September 2024
Implementing Partners: RTI International in partnership with Johns Hopkins Center for
Communications Programs and Duke University Global Health Innovation Center
Total Estimated Investment: $46 million (FP), plus $15 million for COVID-19
Geographic scope: (Provinces) Agusan del Norte, Albay, Batangas, Bohol, Bukidnon, Camarines
Sur, Cavite, Cebu, Iloilo, Laguna, Misamis Oriental, Negros Occidental, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga,
Rizal, South Cotabato, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur; (Cities) Angeles, Bacolod,

20
Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Caloocan, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue,
Manila, Naga, and Zamboanga

ReachHealth strengthens and improves access to critical health services for Filipino families,
reduces unmet need for family planning services, decreases teen pregnancy, and decreases
newborn morbidity and mortality. To do this, the project improves individual, household and
community knowledge and behaviors about family planning and maternal and neonatal health;
increases access to comprehensive quality care, including lifesaving maternal and newborn
services, and increases the capacity of providers to deliver this care; and strengthens health
systems’ governance, finance, human resources, commodity availability, and data. Additionally,
ReachHealth generates demand for family planning and maternal and neonatal health services
and helps women, men, and adolescents overcome gender barriers. The project supports
Philippine counterparts – primarily the Department of Health, Commission on Population and
Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, civil society, and the private sector – to
identify and respond to local root causes of poor family planning and maternal and neonatal
health outcomes. ReachHealth also implemented COVID-19 response activities, including
acceleration of vaccine coverage at the national level and in COVID-19 hotspots in the country.

Health Equity and Financial Protection Platform (ProtectHealth)

Implementation Period: March 2019 – March 2024
Implementing Partner: Palladium
Total Estimated Investment: $11.5 million
Geographic scope: National Level

ProtectHealth is improving financial protection and equitable access to essential health services
to maximize health outcomes in tuberculosis, HIV, family planning, and reproductive health. The
project strengthens and institutionalizes effective approaches and practices that support the
Department of Health and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to address operational
bottlenecks that impede effective implementation of health financing policies. The project also
improves the institutional capacity of the two agencies to collect and use information to improve
financing of tuberculosis, family planning, and reproductive health programs.

Local Works: Capacitating Strategic Organizations to Strengthen the Civil Society Organization
Sector (CSO2)
Implementation Period: February 2021 – April 2024
Implementing Partner: Save the Children Philippines
Total Estimated Investment: $2.0 million
Geographic scope: National Capital Region, Davao City, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City

USAID supports locally-led solutions to address persistent health, education, and socio-economic
problems affecting individuals and communities. Diminishing foreign and local resources
available to civil society organizations (CSOs) threaten the sector’s sustainability. CSO2

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strengthens the capacity of CSOs using a “wholesale” approach. By working with larger, more
influential networks and coalitions that can serve as local resource organizations, the project
supports smaller CSOs to improve their organizational capacity and performance. CSO2 enables
local actors to be more self-reliant, able to mobilize local resources, and less dependent on donor
funding. The project also strengthens CSO sustainability by supporting local initiatives, resources,
and action.

Medicine Technology and Pharmaceutical System Project (MTaPS)

Implementation Period: February 2019 – March 2024
Implementing Partner: Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
Total Estimated Investment: $19.3 million
Geographic scope: National level

Numerous studies have shown that a major barrier to improving health outcomes is the
inefficient and fragmented supply chain management system at all levels of the health system.
The Department of Health (DOH)has demonstrated its commitment to a more integrated supply
management system. MTaPS assists the DOH in establishing a fully functional supply chain
management system, from demand and supply planning to distribution and use at the point of
care. The project also provides technical assistance to implement these changes while building on
existing work to facilitate reliable and timely supply of family planning and tuberculosis medicines
and commodities to health facilities. USAID and the DOH are also scaling up the electronic logistic
information management systems (eLMIS), which serves as the DOH’s official platform for supply
chain management.

Meeting Targets and Maintaining HIV Epidemic Control (EpiC HIV)

Implementation Period: April 2019 – April 2024
Implementing Partner: FHI 360
Total Estimated Investment: $16.9 million
Geographic scope: National Capital Region, CALABARZON, and Central Luzon

To control one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in Asia and the Pacific, EpiC works with the
Philippine government and civil society to break through persistent barriers in diagnosing people
living with HIV. USAID assistance is working to start and keep people living with HIV on life-saving
treatment and ensuring that they are virally suppressed so they cannot pass the virus onto their
loved ones. EpiC employs a range of differentiated, person-centered testing and treatment
services that better respond to the needs of key populations who are disproportionately affected
by HIV. It improves access to game-changing prevention and treatment interventions such as HIV
pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, and the transition to optimized HIV treatment regimens. To
ensure a sustainable national HIV response, EpiC provides site-, regional-, and central level
support for policy development, continuous quality improvement, and strategic information.

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TB Innovations and Health Systems Strengthening (TB Innovations)
Implementation Period: February 2018 – February 2024
Implementing Partner: FHI 360
Total Estimated Investment: $32.5 million
Geographic scope: Nationwide and National Capital Region, Region 3, Region 4A, Region 7 (Cebu
city and province, Bohol, Negros Oriental), South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos City

Despite substantial progress in tuberculosis (TB) control over the past 15 years, TB remains a key
public health problem in the country. Gaps in case detection and access to TB care services
persist, causing the Philippines to rank among the countries with high TB burden. TB Innovations
supports the Philippine government to end the TB epidemic by expanding state-of-the-art
technologies and approaches for case detection, appropriate treatment seeking behavior, and
treatment adherence interventions for vulnerable and high-risk populations. TB Innovations also
assists the Department of Health to actively identify, develop, test, and scale-up innovative
technologies and approaches adapted for the Philippines.

TB Platforms for Sustainable Detection, Care and Treatment (TB Platforms)

Implementation Period: April 2018 – February 2024
Implementing Partner: University Research Co., LLC
Total Estimated Investment: $20 million
Geographic scope: National Capital Region, CALABARZON and Central Luzon (plus Marawi City
and its environs)

The Philippines remains among countries with the highest burden of TB and multidrug-resistant
TB. Healthcare-seeking behavior of people with symptoms suggestive of TB remains low, and
approximately 35 percent of TB-affected households face severe financial difficulties.
Government efforts to fight TB need to be coupled with local capacity building, system
strengthening and community engagement, including the private sector. TB Platforms
strengthens essential supportive and cross-cutting TB interventions at the provincial, local
government, and community levels to increase TB and drug-resistant TB case detection and
treatment success rates.

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USAID/PHILIPPINES Projects
ENVIRONMENT

Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO)

Implementation Period: August 2019 – August 2024
Implementing Partner: Tetra Tech
Total Estimated Investment: $3.2 million
Geographic scope: Luzon (Batangas City and Puerto Princesa City), National Capital Region (Las
Piñas City, Manila City, Parañaque City, Pasig City), Visayas (Iloilo City)

The Philippines is among the largest contributors to global ocean plastic pollution. The country
generates an estimated 2.7 million tons of plastic waste each year, with approximately 20 percent
ending up in the ocean. Clean Cities, Blue Ocean (CCBO) is USAID’s flagship program to address
the global crisis of ocean plastic pollution. CCBO works in 10 countries to reduce ocean plastic
pollution directly at its source by strengthening waste management systems and building circular
economies, city by city. In the Philippines, CCBO (buy-in) helps develop, test, and implement new
models that promote the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and enhance solid waste management;
facilitate partnerships and investment around key needs such as infrastructure; and strengthen
local systems to build the Philippines’ resiliency. CCBO is piloting solutions to stop the flow of
plastic pollution into the waters within and surrounding the country, including several of the most
problematic areas. The project is working with partners to design and implement holistic
strategies that address each step in the waste value chain—from production to its end
use—prioritizing the most inclusive, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable
solutions.

Climate Resilient Cities (CRC)

Implementation Period: October 2021 – October 2026
Implementing Partner: Catholic Relief Services
Total Estimated Investment: $15,000,000 million
Geographic scope: Batangas, Legazpi, Borongan, Iloilo, Cotabato, Zamboanga,

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The Philippines, one of the fastest urbanizing countries in the East Asia and Pacific Region, is
among the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change, ranking first in the 2022
World Risk Index. Climate Resilient Cities (CRC) advances resilience by helping Philippine cities
adapt to, mitigate, and manage the impacts of climate change and disasters. Project activities
focus on enhancing the cities’ capacity to understand, use, and communicate climate data –
including vulnerability and risk data; improving the cities’ abilities to access and manage climate
financing; and enabling cities to implement or upscale innovative, nature-based solutions to
conserve, restore, or sustainably manage the environment. The project works with various
stakeholders such the national and local governments, non-governmental organizations,
academia, and the private sector. Under a donor to donor agreement, the Korea International
Cooperation Agency buys-in to the CRC activity.

Energy Secure Philippines (ESP)

Implementation Period: November 2020 – November 2025
Implementing Partner: RTI International
Total Estimated Investment: $33,999,000
Geographic scope: Nationwide

Energy Secure Philippines (ESP) supports the Philippine Department of Energy and the Energy
Regulatory Commission in advancing clean energy as envisioned in the Philippine Energy Plan for
2040, the core of which is centered on the pillars of ensuring energy security, expanding energy
access, and promoting a low-carbon future through multi-stakeholder support and engagement.
Working with the government and private sector, the project aims to mobilize at least $750
million of private investments into the energy sector and at least 500 MW of additional electricity
generating capacity. ESP helps improve the operational performance of select electric
distribution utilities, as well as support their financial viability and strengthen resilience against
shocks and stresses, including cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The project also supports the
increased deployment of advanced energy sources and systems. Specifically, the project supports
implementation of key policies and regulations that will advance the use of renewable energy
and promote energy efficiency, smart technologies, and physical and cybersecurity capabilities.
ESP also enhances competition in the power sector so that more consumers can enjoy lower
electricity costs. The activity also provides small grants to incubate and pilot novel and innovative
solutions on various cross-sectoral issues.

Fish Right
Implementation Period: March 2018 – March 2025
Implementing Partners: University of Rhode Island and a consortium of Philippine NGOs and
universities
Total Estimated Investment: $32,948,716
Geographic Scope: Calamianes Island Group, South Negros Island, Visayan Sea, and Fisheries
Management Areas 5 and 6

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The Philippines depends on coral reefs for food and income valued at $22 million annually. Fish
provide more than 50 percent of Filipinos' dietary protein. However, unsustainable fishing
practices and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing have affected coastal and marine
biodiversity. Fish Right promotes sustainable fisheries by improving local marine ecosystem
management, establishing fishing regulations, “right-sizing” fisheries to increase fish stocks in
government-designated fisheries management areas, and managing the impact of climate on
fisheries and coastal resources. The program works with fisherfolk, provincial, and municipal
governments and community-based organizations to improve management of marine key
biodiversity areas. By 2025, the program expects to see a 10 percent increase in fish number and
weight as a result of improved management of 2.5 million hectares of marine waters, benefitting
more than 2 million people.

Forestry and Climate Change Support Program

Implementation Period: October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2026
Implementing Partner: U.S. Forest Service
Total Estimated Investment: $1,000,000
Geographic scope: National Capital Region

Since 2011, USAID has partnered with the United States Forest Service to build the capacity of
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local governments, indigenous
peoples, communities, and the private sector in designing and implementing forest protection
and restoration activities as natural climate solutions, and monitoring their effectiveness. The
renewed partnership under the program provides technical assistance on developing and rolling
out of the national forest monitoring system to enable accurate and reliable measurement,
reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas emissions from the forestry and land use sector;
improving the design and implementation of the national forest resource assessment and forest
inventory; and strengthening capacity for forest and grassland fire management.

Investing in Sustainability and Partnerships for Inclusive Growth and Regenerative Ecosystems
(INSPIRE)
Implementation Period: September 2021 – September 2026
Implementing Partner: Gerry Roxas Foundation
Total Estimated Investment: $20,000,000
Geographic scope: Nationwide

INSPIRE provides grants to civil society organizations (CSOs) and indigenous peoples’ groups in
priority areas to implement local conservation and climate actions that advance environmental
governance, promote inclusive growth, and restore natural ecosystems. The activity enhances the
capacity of CSOs, indigenous peoples’ groups, and local communities to demand and participate
in good natural resource governance; improves legal frameworks that support customary rights
to land and water in biologically significant areas; and increases the transparency and

26
accountability of various stakeholders about how natural resources are managed, extracted, and
brought to market.

Local Works: Mindanao Bamboo Value Chain Development Program

Implementation Period: September 2021 – September 2025
Implementing Partner: Bukidnon Tagoloanon Mulahay Ha Kabukalagan Agriculture Cooperative
(BUKTAMACO)
Total Estimated Investment: $1,529,911
Geographic scope: Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental

In this Local Works activity, USAID partners with BUKTAMACO, the economic arm of the
Bukidnon- Tagoloanon tribe, in establishing and developing an inclusive, locally-led,
bamboo-based economy in Mindanao. This activity helps the tribe participate in the global export
market using innovative solutions to address development challenges and create self-reliance.
Specifically, this project will develop 1,500 hectares of giant bamboo plantations, interplanted
with native hardwood trees; establish nurseries and post-harvest processing capacity to create a
locally-led, sustainable value chain that meets global market standards for bamboo products;
secure legal, financial, and carbon rights for indigenous peoples' ancestral lands; and develop a
methodology and registering for carbon offsets. Through these activities, the project is providing
sustainable incomes and livelihood for the marginalized indigenous communities and small
landowners, improving environmental conditions in bamboo plantations, facilitating robust data
collection, learning, and registration and verification for carbon credit trading; and empowering
and providing financial autonomy for women.

Meloy Fund for Sustainable Community Fisheries

Implementation Period: September 2017 – September 2029
Implementing Partner: Meloy Fund GP, LLC, through Rare
Total Estimated Investment: $30,000
Geographic scope: Nationwide

The fisheries and seafood industry employs 1.4 million people in the Philippines, and fish
accounts for up to 50 percent of the total intake of animal protein. While coastal fisheries help
conserve biodiversity and protect communities from natural disasters, exploitation and
overfishing are serious challenges that lead to reduced seafood production, lower incomes for
fishing communities, and degraded coastal ecosystems. Sustainable fisheries is gaining wide
support across the world, presenting a significant opportunity to support related enterprises and
coastal communities, as well as mobilize private sector investments. However, businesses poised
to take advantage of this opportunity lack access to finance because they are often perceived as
too small or too risky. They need loans to adopt new technologies, implement best practices,
grow, and in some cases, start-up. The Meloy Fund is an impact investment vehicle that
incentivizes the development and adoption of sustainable fisheries by making debt and equity
investments in fishing-related enterprises that support the recovery of coastal fisheries.

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Partnering with the Development Finance Corporation, the Meloy Fund aims to mobilize $17.5
million in financing over twelve years. This assistance helps borrowers expand their sustainable
fish and seafood production and improve their incomes, and promotes more sustainable
practices and technologies to protect coastal systems.

Philippines Counter Wildlife Trafficking and Protected Area Management

Implementation Period: October 2023 – September 2026
USAID Partner: U.S. Department of the Interior
Total Estimated Investment: $1,000,000
Geographic scope: National in scope with training locations in Palawan, Cagayan de Oro, Metro
Manila, and Caraga Region

The project strengthens the capacity of the Philippine government to combat wildlife crimes,
more effectively manage protected areas, and analyze geospatial data to monitor environmental
programs through technical assistance delivered by the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) through
its International Technical Assistance Program. The project continues the longstanding
partnership between USAID and DOI, which has been ongoing since 2004.

Safe Water
Implementation Period: December 2019 – December 2024
Implementing Partner: DAI Global, LLC
Total Estimated Investment: $18,440,127
Geographic scope: Palawan and Puerto Princesa, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, Sarangani
and General Santos City

The Philippines faces water security challenges that include a growing population, unsustainable
land use, and severely deficient wastewater management. To address these challenges, the
country requires an adequate and dependable supply of clean drinking water, elimination of open
defecation in rural and poor communities, increased access to safely managed sanitation
services, and sustainable water resources. The Philippines’ vulnerability to climate change will
make water security even more challenging in the future as drought, typhoons, and sea level rise
threaten the country’s watersheds, water resources, and water and sanitation systems. In
partnership with the Government of the Philippines, Safe Water seeks to improve water security
for water-stressed communities through increased access to water supplies and sanitation
services, more sustainably managed water resources–including critical forests and watersheds,
and a stronger policy and enabling environment. The project aims to provide local government
units, water service providers, and watershed councils with the information, incentives, and
partnerships to identify and address barriers to a water-secure future—yielding life-saving gains
in access to water supply and sanitation services for unserved and underserved communities in
the Philippines.

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Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes (SIBOL)
Implementation Period: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2025
Implementing Partner: RTI International
Total Estimated Investment: $25,299,696
Geographic scope: Luzon (Palawan, Zambales), Mindanao (Siargao Island)

SIBOL supports the Philippine government to achieve its goals of improving natural resource
governance, sustainably managing natural resources, and reducing environmental crimes and
unsustainable practices—leading to greater ecosystem stability and inclusive green growth. The
project aims to support a resilient Philippines in which communities, the private sector, and
government collaboratively protect the Philippines’ rich natural resources. SIBOL's Planetary
Health approach uses cutting-edge science, coordinated and inclusive governance strategies, and
powerful economic incentives to protect and conserve biodiversity and the benefits it provides to
communities.

U.S. Peace Corps Small Project Assistance (SPA) V for Environment

Implementation Period: August 2018 – September 2025
Implementing Partner: U.S. Peace Corps
Total Estimated Investment: $1,260,000
Geographic scope: Select Coastal Municipalities and Marine Protected Areas in Luzon and Visayas

USAID continues to support the Peace Corps through small grants, training, and program design
and management assistance on sustainable coastal resources management, effective marine
protected area management, and climate adaptation. With USAID support, the SPA program
advances strategic partnerships with local governments by developing local champions to lead
community-based biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation programs. The SPA
benefits more than 20 coastal municipalities that have high marine biological significance but are
also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Through the SPA, USAID partners with
Peace Corps Philippines to strengthen the capacities of local environment and fisheries officers
and communities to protect, manage, and sustainably finance the protection and conservation of
biodiversity and natural resources. Volunteers work with community counterparts to identify
common concerns, develop strategies to address these concerns, and implement small-scale
community-level projects.

USAID-Philippine Government Ocean and Marine Science Support Program

Implementation Period: June 2022 - September 2026
USAID Partner: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Total Estimated Investment: $1,500,000
Geographic scope: National in scope with special attention to Fisheries Management Areas
(FMAs) 5 and 6

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The Ocean and Marine Science Support Program, a buy-in to the Regional Development Mission
for Asia’s Interagency Agreement with NOAA, aims to strengthen the governance and resilience
of coastal and ocean ecosystems. Under the renewed partnership between USAID and NOAA, the
program supports the Philippine government institutions and coastal, ocean, and fisheries
scientists and managers in addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; advancing
sustainable fisheries management; and improving management effectiveness of national marine
protected areas and networks through peer-to-peer scientific and technical research exchanges,
training workshops, and technical assistance.

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USAID/PHILIPPINES Projects
DISASTER RISK REDUCTION & RESPONSE

Disaster Risk Reduction

Area-Wide Business Continuity Management for Key Industries and Lifeline Utilities
Implementation Period: September 2022 – September 2024
Implementing Partner: Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF)
Total Obligated Investment: $320,000
Geographic scope: CALABARZON Region

With support from USAID, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) develops
sector-specific continuity capabilities in the CALABARZON Region through an area-wide business
continuity management program for key industries, critical sectors, and lifeline utilities. This
ensures that documented procedures and mechanisms are institutionalized within the key
industries and critical sectors of selected local government units to identify risks and
vulnerabilities, analyze impacts of disruptions to critical services, and establish continuity
strategies and recovery measures for the immediate resumption of vital processes. The project
also aims to improve coordinated efforts with other local government units, government
agencies, private entities, and other stakeholders during and immediately after large-scale
incidents or disaster events through established and documented procedures for continuity of
operations, incident management, and emergency preparedness and response.

Bicol Resilience in Coastal Communities (BRICC)

Implementation Period: June 2023 – May 2025
Implementing Partner: Catholic Relief Services
Total Obligated Investment: $2,000,000
Geographic scope: Albay and Catanduanes provinces

BRICC increases resilience to disasters and climate shocks in vulnerable, small island coastal
communities in Albay and Catanduanes provinces by leveraging best practices, lessons learned,
and existing government relationships from previous disaster risk reduction, climate change
adaptation, and emergency response programming. The project improves government and
community capacity to plan, prepare for, and respond to multiple hazards and climate related

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events in the Bicol region. BRICC also provides training, builds critical technical capacities, and
supports improved community engagement and mobilization for enhanced household level
resilience and preparedness for two provincial governments, five municipalities, and 20
barangays. The project also helps vulnerable community members improve the resilience of their
homes by training and certifying unskilled builders on construction practices that improve a
home’s safety in the face of flooding, earthquakes, wind, and other relevant hazards. BRICC is
introducing financial and savings concepts to communities and assisting internal lending entities
to facilitate savings among vulnerable individuals to develop improved financial resilience and
link households with affordable microinsurance providers.

Capacity-building Support to the Government of Philippines for Improved Emergency

Preparedness and Response
Implementation Period: August 2023 – February 2025
Implementing Partner: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Total Obligated Investment: $1,500,000
Geographic Scope: Nationwide

With USAID support, IOM is working with the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD), and other
government agencies and stakeholders to provide enhanced shelter and camp coordination,
camp management planning and response, data and information management, and coordination
that meets nationally and internationally recognized standards. This project supports the
transition of post-disaster shelter response and recovery programs responsibilities from DSWD to
DHSUD, while strengthening each of their abilities to comply with their mandates through
tailored training and tools. Additionally, the project works to enhance beneficiary registration
and aid distribution systems and provide overall support for the transition of data and
information management mandates from DSWD to DHSUD, strengthening decision-making
processes by DHSUD, shelter agencies, and responders. Other activities include training for the
Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary members on humanitarian standards and principles in disaster
response and capacity building support to first responders during disaster response. In this
regard, IOM supports the Philippine government’s response efforts through coordinated technical
and tangible support to DHSUD and DSWD to strengthen the timely delivery of humanitarian
assistance.

Early Warning and Decision Support Capacity Enhancement in the Philippines

Implementation Period: July 2022 – January 2024
Implementing Partner: University of Hawaii
Total Obligated Investment: $750,000
Geographic scope: Nationwide

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With USAID support, the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) is supporting the
institutionalization of the PhilAWARE system within national Philippine emergency operations of
the Office of Civil Defense. The system enhances early-warning capacity to improve decision
making to support national and sub-national disaster management coordination and achieve
better disaster outcomes for the country, resulting in less loss of life and property, as well as
fewer impacts to livelihoods. The project helps implement, institutionalize, and sustain the
PhilAWARE system, building capacity for early warning decision support in the Philippines. PDC is
training PhilAWARE staff, trainers, and beneficiaries, as well as sub-national disaster management
agency staff, on use of the system to support disaster risk reduction and management.

Enhancing Child Protection Preparedness through Stronger Collaboration of Local Government

Units and Civil Society Organizations in the Localization of Comprehensive Emergency Program
for Children
Implementation Period: October 2023 – March 2025
Implementing Partner: Save the Children (SCF)
Total Obligated Investment: $750,000
Geographic scope: Eastern Samar and Lanao del Sur provinces

The project works with local governments to protect children affected by armed conflict and
natural disasters from abuse, exploitation, neglect and violence through appropriate preventive
and responsive child protection interventions. It ensures that targeted local government units
have child protection preparedness and mitigation actions in place under the Philippine
government’s Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children, especially components that help
access to and the quality of national and local child protection systems. The project prioritizes
the establishment of child and women friendly transitional shelters, and a referral mechanism for
orphaned, unaccompanied and separated children; stronger measures to ensure the safety and
security of affected children; establishment of child-friendly spaces in evacuation centers and
transitional sites; and promotion of children’s rights. The project also works closely with civil
society organizations based in the target provinces for child protection.

iPrepared: Inclusive Disaster Preparedness for Local Resilience in Areas at High Risk of
Natural and Human Induced Hazards in BARMM
Implementation Period: July 2022 – July 2024
Implementing Partner: Action Against Hunger-Spain (AAH)
Total Obligated Investment: $1,200,000
Geographic Scope: Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur

The provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur are prone to typhoons, flooding, earthquakes,
and drought. The project strengthens disaster risk reduction and resilience in vulnerable
communities in Maguindanao and Lanao Del Sur provinces. iPrepared increases local
government and community capacities through participatory approaches and training that
integrate resilient livelihoods and mainstream actions in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

33
The project also supports the establishment of community savings groups, prioritizing the most
vulnerable and at-risk households, women, people with disabilities, and older persons.

Preparedness and Response Excellence in the Philippines (PREP)

Implementation Period: May 2023 – May 2024
Implementing Partner: World Food Programme
Total Obligated Investment: $1,200,000
Geographic scope: Nationwide

PREP works with Philippine government partners to prioritize local government units that are
most impacted and vulnerable to natural disasters, particularly in BARMM and along the
Philippine eastern seaboard, from Cagayan Valley in Luzon to Northern Mindanao. The project
trains partners to strengthen existing or draft new local climate change action and disaster risk
reduction and management plans. PREP also trains the trainers to strengthen the knowledge and
skills of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) staff at all levels, selected
provincial and local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and academia. Participants
are then extended to universities through their local centers and local non-governmental
organizations. Training content and curricula focus on Emergency Operations Centre design,
management, and standard operating procedure revision and creation; Incident Command
System training; early warning systems; articulating emergency preparedness and response and
climate adaptation plans; and other priorities identified by communities.

Resilient Island Local Government Units Actions for Disaster Preparedness and Climate Change
(Resilient IsLA)
Implementation Period: June 2023 – May 2025
Implementing Partner: Action Against Hunger-Spain (AAH)
Total Obligated Investment: $1,500,000
Geographic Scope: Surigao del Norte, Southern Leyte

Resilient IsLA increases the resilience and disaster preparedness of coastal communities in
Limasawa and Siargao Islands through a multi-sector approach. The project improves local
government units’ and island barangay communities’ capacities in climate-informed
preparedness actions; early warning systems and rapid response mechanisms, processes,
systems, and planning; and shock-responsive social protection to reduce impacts of natural
hazards and climate risks. The project also improves community-level water supply facilities and
promotes improved water management practices and planning to increase access to safe water
and create more resilient water systems to cope with disasters and climate shocks.

Scaling Across Integrated Risk Management at Local and National Levels

Implementation Period: September 2022 – September 2025
Implementing Partner: Center for Disaster Preparedness Foundation (CDP)
Total Obligated Investment: $1,200,000

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Geographic scope: Pangasinan Region I

USAID is supporting the Center for Disaster Preparedness Foundation to enhance the resilience
and capacity of vulnerable communities in the flood-prone Agno River basin by analyzing and
addressing risks, vulnerabilities, needs, and capacities. The project is reducing the risks and
vulnerabilities associated with disasters while building the capacity of city and provincial officials
to implement safety procedures. Program activities include advocating for public investment in
risk reduction planning, establishing early warning systems, and working with local authorities to
improve disaster readiness.

Strengthening the Government of the Philippines disaster preparedness and response

capacities in Logistics and Emergency Telecommunication
Implementation Period: January 2023 – December 2023
Implementing Partner: World Food Programme (WFP)
Total Obligated Investment: $600,000
Geographic scope: Nationwide, with a focus on BARMM

This project strengthens the capacity of national government disaster response agencies to
prepare for and respond to disaster events, specifically in the fields of logistics and emergency
telecommunications. With USAID support, the World Food Programme conducts mapping and
training, and establishes partnerships to strengthen national and regional emergency logistics
response capacity, with a focus on the country’s BARMM region. The project also strengthens the
capacity of the Department of Information and Communication Technology to lead the
Emergency Telecommunications Cluster and provide direct logistics and emergency telecom
support during emergencies.

Supporting Household and LGU Awareness and Knowledge for Earthquake Preparedness II
(SHAKE II)
Implementation Period: October 2021 – January 2024
Implementing Partner: Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
Total Obligated Investment: $2,000,000
Geographic Scope: Metro Manila

Building on the success of SHAKE I, this project continues to work with local governments and
communities in five cities and municipalities in and around Metro-Manila to improve government
and community capacity to plan and prepare for earthquake events. Through this program, CRS
engages stakeholders at each level of government—including the municipal, city, and
community/barangay levels—to provide both training and accompaniment, building critical
technical capacities and functions, and improving community engagement and mobilization for
enhanced earthquake resilience and preparedness. SHAKE II assists local government units and
barangays that have incomplete or insufficient preparedness plans to develop and implement
measures required to both comply with government standards and deliver the required
preparations for community earthquake preparedness. The project also works with the
government to engage and educate communities on household preparedness measures to

35
enhance resilience. Additionally, SHAKE II supports disaster-resilient livelihoods by helping
individuals find employment in disaster risk reduction related fields, training community
members on skills such as safe construction practices and providing grants to support small
businesses. SHAKE II also facilitates savings among vulnerable community members by
supporting savings and internal lending communities and linking them with affordable
microinsurance providers, which enable households to better prepare for disasters.

Disaster Response

Emergency Response to Mayon Volcano Unrest

Implementation Period: June 2023 – October 2023
Implementing Partner: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Total Obligated Investment: $200,000
Geographic scope: Albay province

The project is responding to water, sanitation, hygiene and shelter needs of 17,000
displaced persons in the most vulnerable, affected communities in partnership with the
Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Albay Public Safety
and Emergency Management Office and provincial government of Albay. With support
from USAID, IOM is providing 510 households (2,550 individuals) with modular tents, basic
hygiene kits, water voucher and kits, and water trucking services. The project also supports
the repair or improvement of 10 critical water and sanitation infrastructures at evacuation
centers or open collective sites that particularly require site enhancement.

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USAID LEADERSHIP

Samantha Power
USAID Administrator

Samantha Power was sworn into office as the 19th Administrator of

USAID on May 3, 2021.

In leading the world’s premier international development agency and its

global staff of over 10,000 people, Power will focus on helping the United
States respond to four interconnected challenges: the COVID-19
pandemic and the development gains it has imperiled; climate change;
conflict and humanitarian crises; and democratic backsliding. Power will also ensure that USAID
enhances its longstanding leadership in areas including food security, education, women’s
empowerment, and global health. Additionally, Power is the first USAID Administrator to be a
member of the National Security Council, where she will ensure that development plays a critical
role in America’s responses to a range of economic, humanitarian, and geopolitical issues.

Prior to joining the Biden-Harris Administration, Power was the Anna Lindh Professor of the
Practice of Global Leadership and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School and the William D.
Zabel Professor of Practice in Human Rights at Harvard Law School. From 2013 to 2017, Power
served in the Obama-Biden Administration as the 28th US Permanent Representative to the
United Nations. During her time at the UN, Power rallied countries to combat the Ebola epidemic,
ratify the Paris climate agreement, and develop new international law to cripple ISIS’s financial
networks. She worked to negotiate and implement the ambitious Sustainable Development
Goals, helped catalyze bold international commitments to care for refugees, and advocated to
secure the release of political prisoners, defend civil society from growing repression, and protect
the rights of women and girls.

From 2009 to 2013, Power served on the National Security Council staff as Special Assistant to
the President and Senior Director for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights. At the NSC, she
advised the Obama-Biden Administration on issues such as democracy promotion, UN reform,
LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, atrocity prevention, and the fights against human trafficking and
global corruption.

An immigrant from Ireland, Power began her career as a war correspondent in Bosnia, and went
on to report from places including Kosovo, Rwanda, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. She was the founding
executive director of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, and
has been recognized as one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People,” one of Foreign Policy’s “Top
100 Global Thinkers,” and by Forbes as one of the “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.” Power is
an author and editor of multiple books, and the recipient of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for
Nonfiction. Power earned a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

37
 Michael Schiffer
USAID Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia

From 2012 to 2022, Mr. Schiffer was a senior advisor and

counselor on the Democratic Staff of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee. From 2009 to 2012, he served as Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia in the Office of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security
Affairs.

Before joining the Department of Defense he was a program

officer at the Stanley Foundation, responsible for the
Foundation's Asia programs as well as a range of other U.S. national and global security issues
and in 2004-2005 was a Council on Foreign Relations Hitachi International Affairs Fellow in Japan.
From 1995 to 2004, he worked on the staff of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), including as
her senior national security adviser and legislative director. Prior to that, he was director of
international security programs at New York University's Center for War, Peace, and the News
Media and was co-manager of the Poipu Bed and Breakfast Inn in Poipu, Kauai.

Mr. Schiffer received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and graduate
degrees from the London School of Economics and New York University.

38
 Ryan Washburn
USAID Mission Director for Philippines and Mongolia

A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Ryan Washburn is the

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director
to the Philippines, Pacific Islands and Mongolia, and previously served
as Mission Director to Indonesia and USAID Principal Officer to
ASEAN.

Before arriving in Jakarta, he was posted to Washington, where he

oversaw the Agency's $4 billion annual assistance program in East and
Southern Africa as the Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator in the
Africa Bureau. Prior to his appointment as Mission Director, Mr. Washburn served as the USAID
Indonesia Deputy Mission Director.

Before returning to headquarters in 2014 as the East Africa Office Director, Mr. Washburn spent
his career with USAID on the African continent. He served as the Deputy Mission Director in
Zambia, having previously worked in Rwanda, Ghana and Mali designing and managing
agriculture, trade, education and governance programs. Prior to joining USAID as an economist in
2000, Mr. Washburn worked at the International Food Policy Research Institute analyzing the
impact of conditional cash transfer programs. He started his career in international development
as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic.

Mr. Washburn holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Spanish from Cornell University and a
Master's Degree in International Development Economics from Yale University.

39
U.S. EMBASSY IN THE PHILIPPINES

MaryKay Loss Carlson

U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines

Ambassador MaryKay Loss Carlson was nominated by President

Biden on February 4 as Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary to the Republic of the Philippines. She was
confirmed by the Senate on May 5. Ambassador Carlson is a
career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of
Minister-Counselor.

She previously served as the Deputy Chief of Mission and

Chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires,
Argentina. Prior to her assignment to Argentina, she served as
Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’affaires in New Delhi,
India, and held the position of Principal Deputy Executive Secretary for the Secretary of State in
Washington, D.C. A Foreign Service officer since 1985, she has served in the U.S. Diplomatic
Missions in China (twice), Ukraine, Hong Kong, Mozambique, Kenya, and the Dominican Republic.
Her domestic assignments include Director of the Secretary’s Executive Secretariat Staff and
Deputy Director of Korean Affairs.

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Ambassador Carlson received her Bachelor of Arts degree in
Spanish and International Studies from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee. She holds
Master’s Degrees from Georgetown University (International Relations) and the National War
College (National Security Studies). She is married to retired Foreign Service officer Aubrey
Carlson, and they have two daughters.

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`

The United States Agency for International Development

U.S. Embassy, Annex 2 Building
1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita
Manila, Philippines 1000
Phone: (+632) 9301-6000
E-mail: infoph@[Link]

[Link]/Philippines
[Link]/[Link]
[Link]/USAID_Manila
[Link]/USAIDPhilippines