The United States government has rolled out two big-ticket projects in the Philippines when it launched on Thursday its five-year, P1.65 billion ($33 million) “Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) project” aimed at increasing digital connectivity, as well as the five-year, P750-million ($15 million) “Climate Resilient Cities project,” to build climate resilience in the country, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries.
In a statement, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will bankroll the implementation of the BEACON project, which is intended to promote economic growth through better information and communications technology (ICT), helping bridge the digital divide in the Philippines.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for expanded digital infrastructure and broadband connectivity,” said USAID Philippines Acting Mission Director Sean Callahan.
“We are pleased to partner with the Philippine government, private sector, and other organizations to accelerate the country’s economic growth and regional competitiveness by supporting a stronger, more competitive digital ecosystem,” Callahan added.
Through the BEACON project, USAID will help improve the country’s ICT and logistics infrastructure; strengthen the regulatory, business, and innovation environment; and bolster cybersecurity.
“To help bridge the digital divide in the Philippines, BEACON will assist the government in automation and digitization efforts, and support community networks to expand low-cost internet access for underserved communities,” the embassy statement said.
“BEACON supports the Philippines’ national strategies and the U.S. government’s goal to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific region through enhanced digital connectivity,” it added.
In a separate statement, the USAID also launched on Thursday its five-year, P750-million ($15 million) Climate Resilient Cities project which aims at helping cities in the country to adapt, mitigate, and to endure the impacts of climate change by increasing their access to climate financing and tools to build resilience.
Through this project, USAID will support local government units and other stakeholders to better understand, use, and disseminate climate information to local communities. The project will also help cities and non-governmental organizations access climate financing to increase community resilience and contribute to communities’ economic and social development, as well as support natural climate solutions that increase cities’ resilience to climate change impacts.
“Over the past 60 years, we have been proud to partner with the Philippine government and local stakeholders to achieve shared development goals,” Callahan said.
“Addressing the climate crisis, and particularly the vulnerability of cities is crucial to helping build a more prosperous, resilient Philippines for current and future generations.”
The Climate Resilient Cities project supports the Philippine government’s National Climate Change Action Plan, Nationally Determined Contributions, and National Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Roadmap, and advances the U.S. government’s goal of tackling the climate crisis around the world. Climate Resilient Cities will also receive support from the government of the Republic of Korea, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency, as part of a joint partnership between the U.S. and Korean governments.
The US government has been a key development champion in the Philippines for six decades, working with individuals, communities, and the government to improve lives.