Australian ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell (right) with former Australian premier John Howard. Tweddel said the Australian government is increasing its aid to the Philippines this year. AFP FILE PHOTO/SAEED KHAN
MANILA, Philippines—Visiting Australian officials have lauded the Department of Social Work and Development’s (DSWD) beneficiaries for their efficient use of funds.
In particular, beneficiaries of the Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan—Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services—National Community Driven Development Project (Kalahi-CIDSS-NCDDP) were praised for their management of foreign grants in their projects.
Australian ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell visited Sibagat town in Agusan del Sur with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia Maritime Division Allaster Cox, Philippine-Australia Community Assistant Program Counselor Geoff King, and Governance Adviser Paul Hutchcroft early this week.
“We want to personally look at the completed classrooms and interact with the community beneficiaries,” Tweddell said.
The Australian government gave P72.74 million to partially fund the construction of 18 day care centers and 50 school buildings with 91 classrooms in the Caraga region.
“I am really impressed with the completed classrooms. The grant was apparently judiciously managed by the community volunteers,” Twedell said.
Accompanied by DSWD Caraga field office director Minda Brigoli, the Australian officials went to Barangay El Rio, where a school building with two classrooms was funded from the Australian Aid for Development, now the DFAT.
In a statement, the DSWD said the Australian government gave another AU $12 million for the construction of day care centers and school buildings through the Kalahi-CIDSS-NCDDP. Julie M. Aurelio
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