Australia to give Phl P5.7 B for basic education

MANILA, Philippines - Australia will provide P5.7 billion in official development assistance to the Philippines for 2014 to 2015.  

The Australian government’s aid program in the Philippines is focused on improving the quality of basic education by supporting the K to 12 program, the biggest reform in Philippine education system in more than 20 years.  

The assistance involves training of teachers and education managers, providing advice on curriculum development, and helping develop information technology systems.  

Australia is also helping improve the learning outcomes of Filipino children, particularly in Muslim Mindanao and other disadvantaged communities.  

For trade and private sector development, Australia is supporting the Philippine government’s Public-Private Partnerships reform agenda that is investing in infrastructure, including classroom construction, health services and transport.

Investment in these areas is critical in fostering sustainable economic growth in the country.  

Australia will continue to work with the Philippine government to deliver an innovative program that uses provincial road maintenance funding as an incentive for local governance reforms.  

The Philippine government is also receiving assistance to automate its public financial management system to improve the efficiency and transparency of public spending. 

Australia is a long-standing development partner of the Philippines and one of its largest bilateral grant aid donors.   

“Australia has made a substantial contribution to peace in Mindanao through our aid program. We will continue to support the peace process in Mindanao, particularly in the light of the recently signed Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, by boosting institutional capacity to implement the peace agreement and by introducing education for youth in remote communities,” said David Dutton, charg d’affaires of the Australian embassy.  

“With our Philippine partners, Australia will work to make Filipinos safer and more resilient to the threats from natural disasters, which drive people into poverty and threaten sustainable economic development.   “Australia remains strongly committed to working in close partnership with the Philippines. Australia places high importance on delivering results to help improve the lives of Filipinos,” he added.