Canada contributes P2M to RP judicial program

The Canadian government through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will contribute up to P2 million (Cdn$60,000) to the Supreme Court—Program Management Office (PMO) in support of the full implementation of the Philippine judicial reform program.

The contribution agreement was signed by Canadian Ambassador Robert Collette and Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. at the Supreme Court in Manila yesterday. The turnover of a check for the first installment also took place.

CIDA’s bridge financing support is to strengthen the capacity of the PMO to manage the implementation of the Five-Year Action Program for Judicial Reform (APJR) and to coordinate donor support and government resources for judicial reform efforts. Funding will cover PMO’s operations cost for the nine-month period from October 2001 to June 30, 2002.

"Support for the PMO is crucial at this juncture as it was recently transformed and converted from a ‘project’ to a ‘program’ unit within the court structure," Collette said.

The PMO serves as the appropriate management strategy and mechanism for the synchronization of the court’s various reform activities. It is also the mechanism that ensures the sustainability of reforms within the Court even after donor support is completed.

"CIDA’s contribution demonstrates Canada’s commitment to the judicial reform program, while working on developing a more comprehensive project over the medium term," Collette said.

Canada is committed to support the Philippine government’s market-friendly, pro-poor development agenda in the areas of private sector development, justice, and good governance.