US reminds Noynoy: Use $434-M grant ‘transparently’ By Michaela P. del Callar 05/30/2011

US reminds Noynoy: Use $434-M grant ‘transparently’

By Michaela P. del Callar 05/30/2011

The United States, with apparent anxiety, has called on the Aquino government to use transparently its $434-million anti-poverty reduction assistance to the Philippines and ensure that it will go to its intended programs and beneficiaries.

The additional assistance from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a US government aid agency, was officially made available to the Philippine government on Tuesday, marking the start of the five-year implementation of its poverty reduction programs.

“Our government, through the MCC, is pleased to support the Aquino administration in its fight against corruption and poverty and looks forward to the continued transparent implementation of the $434-million MCC compact grant that will benefit millions of poor Filipinos,” said US Ambassador Harry Thomas in a statement.

Over the years, foreign aid donors have complained of corruption and lack of transparency in the implementation of specific development programs in the country, hindering economic growth and poverty alleviation..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110530hed2.html