USAID launches Philippine American fund for NGOs

Rappler.com

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Real NGOs are feeling the backlash of the pork barrel fund scam. A new fund infusion from US-AID is out to help rehabilitate the reputation of NGOs.

MANILA, Philippines – The pork barrel fund scam rocked the nation’s faith in public officials in high places. 

But another sector is also feeling the backlash… real NGOs.
A new fund infusion from USAID not only wants to trigger inclusive growth, it also wants to help rehabilitate the reputation of NGOs.
David Lozada reports.

 

GRACE PULIDO TAN
COA
A total of 6.156 billion was transferred by the agencies to 82 non-government organizations.

Nowadays, NGO – which stands for non-governmental organization – is a dirty acronym.
After the Napoles scam, legitimate organizations lost a lot of credibility and its hitting the groups where it hurts the most – funding.

CHRISTINE DE VILLA
CODE NGO
When our member NGOs interact with people, they are always asked, “Are you not one of those Napoles type NGOs?” We always have to explain that we’re not that kind of NGO.

NGO worker Christine de Villa says its going to take a lot of work recovering from the stigma.

CHRISTINE DE VILLA
CODE NGO
There are a great number of credible and legitimate NGOs out there but their reputation is being tarnished because of the Napoles group of NGOs.

Outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. says civil society will always play a role in development.
He says he believes in the basic honesty of Filipinos.

HARRY THOMAS JR
OUTGOING US AMBASSADOR
We must never use a broad brush to generalize any individuals or organizations. After all, most of the Filipino people are honest just as most of the American people are honest.

The United States Agency for International Development or USAID launches the Philippine American Fund – a five-year grant facility amounting to twenty-four million dollars, roughly 1.04 billion pesos, just a little bit more than the money siphoned off by Napoles NGOs in the Malampaya fund scam.
Thomas assures the public the funds will be closely monitored.

HARRY THOMAS JR
OUTGOING US AMBASSADOR
Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co lead accounting firm is involved. I’m sure their accounting practices will ensure that the money is well utilized.

The fund aims to finance activities at the grass-roots that will lead to sustainable growth.
The Phil-Am Fund focuses on five strategic priorities: anti-human trafficking, promoting businesses, government transparency, education and biodiversity.
Chief of Party Victoria Garchitorena says the fund welcomes new ideas in terms of programs and will be very flexible.

VICKY GARCHITORENA
PHIL-AM FUND CHIEF OF PARTY
We’re not risk averse. Because we’re looking for new solutions, we would be open to ideas that maybe we’re not sure if it will succeed. Nothing is sure in this life. As long as you have the capacity, you have the competence and you have the governance in place to make sure that you’ll give it our best shot.

The grants range from two million to twenty million pesos.
More information can be found in the Gerry Roxas Foundation website.
There are real NGOs out there carrying out the spade work of development and with the help of reputable funds, these groups don’t have to be the national symbol of corruption alongside the pork barrel.
David Lozada, Rappler, Manila. – Rappler.com

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