The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Department of Education (DepEd), have signed a new, five-year bilateral assistance agreement valued at more than P4.8 billion ($100 million) to improve basic education outcomes in the Philippines.

Through the agreement, USAID and DepEd continue and deepen their commitment to help children and out-of-school youth acquire the education and skills they need to succeed.  The agreement will advance the country’s efforts by increasing literacy rates, improving math competencies, enhancing social skills, improving second-chance education, employment and life skills for out-of-school youth, and strengthening education governance.

“This new bilateral agreement with DepEd to improve basic education outcomes marks a new era in our longstanding partnership to achieve our shared vision of quality education for all Filipino children and youth.  These programs will strengthen Philippine institutions to provide quality education.  It also recognizes the important and unique contributions the private sector and civil society bring to partnerships in achieving better education results,” said USAID Philippines Mission Director Lawrence Hardy 2nd.

This bilateral agreement with DepEd is one of four new assistance agreements between the United States and the Philippines launched in 2020 and 2021, with an anticipated total value of P32.7 billion ($675 million) over five years.

The other new agreements include:

·      Department of Health: To improve underserved Filipinos’ health by strengthening health systems while bolstering the quality of health services, especially in treating tuberculosis and providing access to family planning services and community-based drug dependence treatment;

·      Department of Finance: To accelerate inclusive, market-driven economic growth by advancing policies that increase investment and trade, promoting private sector-led innovation, and increasing information and communications technology access for the digital economy;

·      National Economic and Development Authority: To protect the environment by promoting sustainable use of natural resources, expanding access to renewable energy, and reducing risks from natural disasters.

Since 1945, the United States has supported the Philippines in advancing the country’s development goals.  Over the past 20 years alone, the United States has provided nearly P228.8 billion ($4.5 billion) in total assistance.