1 month ago
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Helen Flores - The Philippine Star
February 11, 2025 | 12:00am
Facade of the National Economic Development Authority building in Pasig City.
The Philippine STAR / File photo
MANILA, Philippines — Despite US President Donald Trump’s 90-day foreign aid freeze, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is pursuing its projects funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Philippines will not be significantly affected by Trump’s order, NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said.
“With respect to the ongoing technical assistance (of the USAID), we are still continuing,” she said.
“We also have a good relationship with the USAID staff. Many of them are providing input. That seems to be out of their goodwill,” she noted.
Unlike in the past when the Philippines was reliant on USAID support even for school buildings, Edillon said the agency now provides more technical assistance.
The government can ask other foreign development partners for assistance, she said.
Data from NEDA showed there are 33 new and ongoing projects supported by USAID grants.
NEDA Undersecretary Joseph Capuno earlier said a portion of $485.59 million has already been spent.
Over the weekend, a US judge temporarily blocked Trump from placing 2,200 workers at the USAID on paid leave.
Trump has argued that USAID is not a valuable use of taxpayer money and wants to dismantle it.
Caritas to lose P35 million
Catholic humanitarian group Caritas Philippines is set to lose P35 million with Trump’s foreign aid freeze order.
If Trump dismantles the USAID, programs to support the poor and relief aid for calamity victims will be affected, Caritas Philippines president and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo told radio dzRV.
The group’s programs are supported by the Catholic Relief Service. The CRS has a partnership with the USAID.
Changes in the US government’s policy served as an “eye-opener” to not depend too much on foreign aid, Bagaforo said.
“We should be able to support our own programs. That is why we would be strengthening and exerting more effort to promote and intensify our Alay Kapwa expanded program,” he said.
“We have become too dependent on foreign funding. At the mercy… and at times, the dictate of foreign funders,” he noted.
With its Alay Kapwa expanded program, Caritas Philippines aims to raise funds for its humanitarian and social projects.
The group is determining the full effect of Trump’s directive to freeze foreign aid, as they might be forced to terminate some employees.
Bagaforo has asked all 87 dioceses nationwide to help promote the Alay Kapwa fundraising campaign. — Evelyn Macairan
