The U.S. Agency for International Development, the Foreign Agricultural Service, and the Foreign Commercial Service all work together with the Philippine government, local governments, NGO’s, and private partners to create projects so that the people of Mindanao can unleash their economic potential.

USAID, along with their Filipino partners, builds roads, bridges, ports, wells, and other infrastructure projects so that people can bring products to market.  They run programs to provide solar power to villages and donate computers and internet access to schools across the region.  USAID initiatives help local governments and organizations manage resources, improve access to health services, and offer vocational training opportunities.

The Foreign Agricultural Section focuses on increasing agricultural capacity.  They have helped develop processes to get perishable goods to market, increase the quality of dairy farming, expand the export capabilities of the fruit industry, and improve school nutrition throughout Mindanao.  Many farmers take advantage of sustainable agriculture programs that increase production of high-value crops and develop product markets.

The Foreign Commercial Service has signed agreements with 16 Mindanao chambers of commerce, creating a framework for closer business ties with the United States.  In 2007, they demonstrated the eagerness of U.S. businesses to invest in Mindanao through the “American Showcase and Catalog Show”, visiting two cities and generating hundreds of “leads” for American and Filipino businesses.  During a seminar on “Doing Business with the U.S.A.”, Embassy officers featured topics such as:  business visas, intellectual property protection, and linking up with U.S. suppliers.