Canadian assistance
LIKE other developing countries across the globe, the Philippines needs foreign assistance to address the various problems and challenges confronting the Filipino people.
Thus, Canada’s P1.1-billion development assistance to support Manila’s health care, disaster resilience and climate adaptation efforts is a welcome development.
The funding includes a new CAD12.5 million commitment for disaster resilience.
This is on top the CAD15 million that Canadian Development Minister Ahmed Hussen announced when he visited the Philippines in January.
An additional CAD50,000 was set up for the monitoring and evaluation covering all three initiatives.
Canada, a favorite destination of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and the Philippines share a close relationship.
Through its development assistance, Canada supports work on improving biodiversity protection, climate adaptation, women’s empowerment and health care services.
Of course, we share the view of Minister Hussen that by working together, the two countries will be building healthier and more resilient communities in the Philippines and Canada.
Certainly, Filipinos welcome the assistance of Canada to the Philippines, which is trying to join the elite combo of industrialized nations.
Thus, it would do well for the Philippines to work in unison with Canada for the benefit of the Filipino people and the country.
