The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Assistant Administrator (AA) for Asia, Denise Rollins completed her visit to the Philippines by leading events in Manila that highlighted the U.S. Government’s increasing focus on science, technology, innovation, and partnerships.

“To achieve our global goal of ending extreme poverty by 2030, USAID seeks to expand new models of development that strengthen our existing partnerships, spur innovation, and harness the scientific and technological advances that will enable us to leapfrog the development challenges of today,” AA Rollins said. “It also supports our shared goal with the Government of the Philippines to achieve broad-based, inclusive and resilient growth that benefits the majority of Filipinos.”

The Embassy’s USAID Mission Director Gloria D. Steele, Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Dr. Patricia Licuanan and AA Rollins joined the academic and business communities in discussing how mobile technology innovations can help improve distance education and delivery of health services, among others, in the Philippines.

The mobile computing forum, organized through the U.S. Embassy Manila’s USAID Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) program in cooperation with the Philippine Computer Society, identifies areas of investment in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector with high potential of accelerating economic growth, as well as game-changing research projects that will enhance the sector’s competitiveness.

AA Rollins led the awarding of grants to the first batch of recipients of the USAID Philippine-American (Phil-Am) Fund. The five-year, Php984 million ($24 million) grant-making facility will support Filipino organizations to implement innovative solutions that address the country's development challenges.

Managed by the Gerry Roxas Foundation with accounting firm SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. as its institutional partner, the Phil-Am Fund provides capacity development and funding to local institutions to take leadership in sustainable development work that promotes economic growth, good governance, and strengthens efforts to combat human trafficking and better manage biodiversity resources.

“USAID was among the first international donors in the Philippines to have a large grants program with an emphasis on capacity development for civil society organizations (CSOs) from 1980-2000. Under USAID Forward, the Agency’s reform agenda, we have strengthened our engagement with local CSOs, enabling them to become more effective and influential development partners in the Philippines,” said Director Steele.

“The science, technology, and innovation partnerships we forged today are some examples of our efforts under the Partnership for Growth to foster sustained and inclusive growth.” AA Rollins said.

About USAID

The American people, through the United States Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for over 50 years. In the Philippines, USAID works in partnership with the national government in creating a more stable, prosperous and well-governed country through programs that foster sustainable and inclusive growth, strengthen governance and combat corruption, improve access to water, energy, health and education services, increase environmental resilience and natural resource management capabilities. For more information, visit http://www.usaid.gov/philippines or contact USAID/Philippines Development Outreach and Communications via email: infoph@usaid.gov.