February 10, 2009

 

U.S. and Philippine Governments Commit to
Further Expand Environment and Energy Programs

 

U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo witnessed the signing ceremony held at Malacañang today commemorating the U.S. and Philippine Governments commitment to further expand environment and energy programs in the Philippines.  National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ralph Recto and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Director Jon Lindborg signed the “Affirmation of Commitment” for a new bilateral assistance agreement that will provide $73 million in grants funds over a six-year period to support environment and energy programs in the Philippines. 

During the ceremony, Ambassador Kenney said, “The American people are proud of their long history of support to the Filipino people in the areas of environment and energy.  With this new agreement, we usher in a new era of close collaboration between our two governments on these two timely and critical areas of mutual interest.”

Under the Agreement, USAID will support efforts to: conserve biodiversity and sustainably manage natural resources; promote clean and renewable energy; mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change; and improve access to water and sanitation services.  The agreement will be implemented in partnership with NEDA, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy, the Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Finance.

The U.S. Government is currently the largest bilateral grant donor to the Philippines for environment and energy programs.

###