Australia commits over AUD100 million to back several PH programs

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (File photo from IISS)

MANILA, Philippines— Australias’ Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Philippines will spike to an estimated AUD89.9 million this year and next year.

This was announced by Australian foreign minister Penny Wong on her first visit to Manila.

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The fund increase is meant for cooperation programs like inclusive economic growth, education, training and scholarships, disaster and climate resilience, and peace and stability in Mindanao, according to a joint press release on Thursday from Wong and Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo.

The new amount is on top of the existing AUD10.95 million fund meant for pandemic-related projects.

“This is in addition to an AUD10.95 million commitment to support the Philippines to establish a new immunization information system and a strengthened laboratory network and surveillance system, addressing disruptions to routing immunization during the pandemic,” added the DFA.

The two officials reaffirmed the commitment of their two countries “in elevating the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership.”

The Australian foreign minister also announced her country’s backing of the Philippines’ maritime defense against “illegal fishing.”

This is by sending drone equipment and other technological advancements, training, information and legislative assistance.

Both Wong and Manalo said Australia and Philippines’ relationship is deeply rooted in “people-to-people ties.”

Manalo noted, “our peoples remain the bedrock of our dynamic relationship.”

Latest data from Australian government showed 400,000 Filipinos call Australia home, making up its fifth largest diaspora.

Meanwhile, during a press briefing, Wong reported Australia will also invest a supplemental amount of AUD55 million to its current AUD470 million development assistance fund for Southeast Asia (SEA)

This boost is part of the Australian government’s budget delivered last week, she explained.

“We will support more people-to-people links including specialized scholarships and we are committed to our SEA economics strategy to 2040 which the secretary and I discussed in summary,” she said.

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