Australia helps Bohol build back better
As the first anniversary of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Bohol on 15 October 2013 approaches, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell returns to the province this week to launch the “Abot Alam” program for out of school youth, turn over 40,000 books under the “Books for Asia” program, lead groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of classrooms under the Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST) program, and conduct site inspection of rehabilitated roads under the Provincial Road Management Facility (PRMF).
“The Australian Government has a long-standing development partnership with the province of Bohol, spanning more than 20 years. We are here for the long haul and are pleased to assist Bohol in ‘building back better,’” Ambassador Tweddell said during his meeting with Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Bro Armin Luistro, and National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairperson Gregorio Ramon A. Tingson and Commissioner Jose Sixto “Dingdong” Dantes III.
DepEd and NYC are the prime proponents of Abot Alam, an interagency convergence effort targeting out of school youth (OSY) in the Philippines. The initiative aims to map OSY and enrol them in appropriate program interventions in education, entrepreneurship and employment. Bohol is among the first provinces that will be implementing the program.
Ambassador Tweddell will also be formally turning over 40,000 new reading books for public elementary schools in Bohol that have been donated under the “Books for Asia” program of the Australian Embassy and The Asia Foundation. This gift will help augment learning resources in 250 public elementary schools.
Recognizing the role of the private sector as the primary driver of economic growth and poverty reduction, Australian aid for Bohol is also bringing in private sector engagement. Through a joint project with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the DepEd, a three-classroom building will be constructed at the San Miguel Central Elementary School in San Miguel, Bohol. This steps up PBSP’s “Bayanihang Pampaaralan” campaign, with the Australian Government providing a A$15 million funding through the BEST program.
Under BEST, nine classrooms in Bohol will be built over a five-month period. Australia continues to be the Philippines’ lead bilateral grant donor in basic education, with annual funding of over A$50 million.
Australia was among the primary responders to Bohol’s call for relief, recovery and reconstruction following last year’s earthquake. It provided PHP366 million (A$9 million) for immediate assistance.
Amongst the first aid provided was a post-quake assessment of worst-affected local roads that provided vital access to basic social and economic services. This rapid assessment of critical provincial roads and other infrastructure was undertaken by the Provincial Government, which worked alongside the Australian Government-funded PRMF as part of their efforts to get the province on the road to recovery. A total of 118.56 kilometers of roads are currently part of the rehabilitation and minor improvement (RMI) physical works portfolio of PRMF.
In April 2014, five months after the earthquake struck, a delegation from the Australian Parliament visited the province to observe recovery efforts being undertaken. “Our development partnerships in Bohol illustrate the depth and breadth of the bilateral relationship between Australia and the Philippines. We are very glad to contribute to Bohol’s efforts toward not just recovery, but a vision of a bright future,” Ambassador Tweddell added.