On March 9, the U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided an additional Php63 million and school equipment for post-disaster education needs in 19 municipalities in Iloilo, Capiz and Bohol.

USAID Mission Director Gloria D. Steele witnessed the signing of an agreement between the mayors, school principals and Synergeia Foundation, USAID’s implementing partner for the Education Governance Effectiveness (EdGE) Project, which will help elementary public schools in the target provinces get back on track towards improving learning outcomes.

“Hugpong sa Pagbangon,” Ilonggo vernacular for “rising up together,” is the post-disaster component of EdGE that will provide community incentive grants, disaster preparedness workshops, and teaching and learning materials. Over 450 schools, 3,800 teachers and 35,000 early grade students will directly benefit from the assistance.

“USAID is your partner in building back better. In addition, this supports our broader goal of strengthening local education governance towards improving early grade reading for at least one million Filipino children,” Director Steele said.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. expressed his appreciation for the “sincerity and gesture of commitment of the American government to the Filipino people.”

EdGE seeks to improve education governance at the local level through strengthened government effectiveness, increased transparency and accountability, and increased participation of stakeholders in education policy formulation and implementation.

USAID also led the ceremonial handover of audiovisual equipment such as laptops, printers, televisions and projectors at the Dumangas Municipal Gymnasium.

Dumangas Mayor Rolando Distura remarked that the school equipment provided by the U.S. Government will improve classroom instruction and enhance the quality of education. PTA Federation President Serafin Deduro Jr. added that with the school’s inadequate resources, the teaching materials to be given by USAID will enhance students’ learning.

Overall, the U.S. Government’s support is estimated at approximately Php6.3 billion to help the people of the Philippines respond to, and recover from, the devastating effects of Typhoon Yolanda.

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About USAID:

The United States Agency for International Development is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. In the Philippines, USAID partners with the national government to create a more stable, prosperous and well-governed nation. For more information, visit http://www.usaid.gov/philippines or email infoph@usaid.gov.