USAID awards grants on biodiversity, coastal area projects in Quezon province

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 14): USAID awards grants on biodiversity, coastal area projects in Quezon province

The United States Agency for International Aid (USAID) has awarded grants to organization protecting the environemnt including the coastal areas of Quezon province, the US Embassy in Manila said in a report on Wednesday.

USAID has awarded seven new grants to support local organizations combating human trafficking and protecting the environment.

Five biodiversity conservation partnerships were signed days after the US State Department announced the Philippines’ elevation to Tier 1 status in the annual Trafficking In Persons Report.

The local grantees included Haribon Foundation, PATH Foundation Philippines, Soil and Water Conservation Foundation, South Pacific Integrated Area Development Foundation, and Tanggol Kalikasan.

With USAID support, these organizations will work to improve management of biodiversity resources in nearly 200,000 hectares of terrestrial and coastal areas in Oriental Mindoro, Quezon, Cebu and Southern Leyte.

Launched in September 2013, the Phil-Am Fund is a five-year PHP984-million project that supports civil society organizations, cooperatives, social enterprises, and private companies in implementing innovative solutions that address the country’s development challenges.

To date, the USAID has awarded a total of 33 grants on biodiversity, economic growth, good governance, anti-trafficking in persons, and basic education.

Through its Philippine-American Fund (Phil-Am Fund), the USAID initiated and signed the partnerships with BALAOD Mindanaw Inc. and the Fellowship for Organizing Endeavors Inc. to extend assistance to victims of trafficking in Cagayan De Oro and Cebu City.

The US diplomatic mission in Manila also informed that for the first time, the country fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking as defined by the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

Signatories to the grant partnership agreement early this month were Dr. Steve Andoseh, director of the USAID’s Office of Economic Development and Governance and Judy Araneta-Roxas, president of the Gerry Roxas Foundation as the Phil-Am Fund administrator.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=903991