P3.12-billion ODA from Australia to Philippines

The Australian government will provide the Philippines with about AUD 85 million or P3.12 billion in official development as­sistance (ODA) for 2017-2018.

According to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), 45.2 percent of Australian aid budget will go to education sector at AUD 38.4 million, followed by infrastructure and trade cornering 15.1 percent at AUD 12.9 million.

Building resilience will receive AUD 10.4 million in ODA; ag­riculture, fisheries and water at AUD 7 million; general develop­ment support at AUD 1.5 million; and health at AUD 1 million.

“Our economic partnership with the Philippines will focus all elements of our trade, investment and aid initiatives working together to promote growth,” the DFAT said.

Australian development support to the Philippines will fo­cus on the implementation of the Trade and Inclusive Economic Growth Facility until 2025.

The Facility is designed to help the Philippines achieve sus­tained inclusive economic growth by reducing barriers to se­lected trade and investment flows; reducing the cost of doing business; and empowering women and poor and vulnerable communities through improved participation in the economy.

It is also aimed at strengthening government institutions so they can better design and implement policy and deliver ser­vices.

Australia will also continue engagement in infrastructure through the strengthening Philippine public private partnerships (PPP) program.

In 2017-2018, the Australian aid program will also prioritize work with the Philippine government to build capacity to imple­ment reforms with targeted support through the Coalitions for Change Program.

The program will engage in a number of new reform areas that will support the 10-point Socio-Economic Reform Agenda of the Duterte administration.