Manila, April 28, 2021 — As part of this year’s Earth Day celebration, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and Save the Philippine Seas, a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization, launched the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Marine Accelerator Program (YSEALI MAP) on April 22.  The program will train 62 youth leaders of 33 marine conservation projects in 11 Southeast Asian countries to collaborate and expand their initiatives to address marine and inland waterway issues including illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; river and marine ecosystem degradation; and marine debris.

During the next eight weeks, YSEALI MAP participants will join intensive online workshops and receive mentorship and grant opportunities. Environmental conservation and project management experts will train the participants on problem analysis, monitoring and evaluation, storytelling and visual communications, sustainability planning, resource mobilization, strategic partnerships, and cross-border collaboration.  The program will conclude with a four-day in-person workshop in the Philippines towards the end of 2021 or early next year as conditions permit.

“We are excited to be working on the YSEALI MAP,” shared Anna Oposa, Executive Director of Save Philippine Seas.  “The marine and waterway issues of our countries know no boundaries.  By bringing these leaders together and supporting their initiatives, we can find solutions that can impact not only our respective countries but also our entire region.”

U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Counselor Philip Roskamp shared that working with youth leaders through YSEALI MAP is vital to advancing the U.S. government’s environmental policy.  “The Biden administration has made environmental protection in the United States and overseas a major priority.  The United States has committed to the goal of conserving at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030, and we are asking other countries to do the same,” he said.

YSEALI MAP is part of the U.S. government’s flagship youth leadership development and networking program in Southeast Asia called YSEALI. Since its launch in 2013, YSEALI has annually provided Southeast Asian youth leaders with educational and cultural exchanges to the United States and Southeast Asian countries, seed funding for innovative project ideas, and training programs on civic engagement, sustainable development, education, and economic growth.  It has also grown to become a network of more than 150,000 youth leaders in Southeast Asia.

For more information about the YSEALI and the YSEALI MAP, visit https://yseali.state.gov and https://www.savephilippineseas.org/map.

Manila, March 24, 2021 — In celebration of World Water Day, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched on Tuesday, March 23 two partnerships to increase access to clean, safe, water and sanitation services in the Philippines.

The first partnership, with Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CCFPI) and the Multi-sectoral Alliance for Development (MUAD) – Negros, will help conserve 12 watersheds and create sustainable livelihoods in Negros Occidental.  The second partnership, with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), will protect water resources in Palawan by improving watershed management.

Through these partnerships, USAID’s Safe Water project will leverage its science-backed studies, analyses, and expertise with partners’ human and capital resources to expand watershed protection that will help guarantee sustainable livelihoods.

USAID Philippines Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II led the Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony with Coca-Cola Philippines President Antonio del Rosario and Palawan Governor and PCSD Chairman Jose Alvarez.

“Watersheds play an important role in supplying clean water to communities.  It is our global commitment in Coca-Cola to replenish and to protect our water resources.  That’s why we are one with USAID and MUAD-Negros to protect these sanctuaries and to empower the lives of the people living near the watersheds,” said del Rosario.

“I am confident that our collaboration will empower communities to become better environmental stewards, uplift lives, and safeguard forests and watersheds through our collective efforts and partnerships to bring a water secure future for Filipinos,” added Hardy.

About 12 million Filipinos do not have access to safe drinking water, and 80 percent of the population is not connected to wastewater treatment services.  USAID promotes water security by working with governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations to increase access to water and sanitation services for vulnerable and underserved communities.  USAID also supports improved water resource management to promote clean drinking water, food security, and economic growth.

Since 2013 alone, USAID has invested Php1.5 billion (

Manila, March 10, 2021 – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) released on March 9 the results of a study which quantified illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Philippines. The report identifies what more should be done to eradicate IUU fishing in Philippine waters.

USAID’s Protect Wildlife project Chief of Party Rebecca Paz (seated, left) and DENR-BMB Wildlife Resources Division Chief Atty. Theresa Tenazas (seated, right) signed the formal turnover of the wildlife ambulance to the DENR.  Serving as witnesses are (standing, right to left) DENR Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo, Jr., USAID/Philippines Environment Office Deputy Director Paul Seong, and U.S. Embassy Environment, Science, Technology and Health Officer Claire Bea. 

Manila, March 5, 2021 – To mark World Wildlife Day and strengthen the Philippine government’s wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) turned over on March 2 a new wildlife ambulance to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).  This turnover was part of USAID’s Php1.2-billion Protect Wildlife Project.

The wildlife ambulance—the first of its kind in the country—will help the DENR’s National Wildlife Rescue and Research Center improve its response time during wildlife rescue and retrieval, as well as facilitate the provision of immediate on-site care for injured and trafficked wildlife.  The specially designed vehicle has furnished cabinets for veterinary and wildlife handling equipment, a collapsible veterinary examination table and seats, and a roof rack for transporting animal crates, ladders, and other equipment for wildlife rescue.

USAID also handed over WILDBase, a centralized online system for recording and monitoring rescued wildlife.  WILDBase will help rescue centers keep track of wildlife in their care, as well as medical records, inventory, and other important information for rescue center operations and decision-making.

DENR Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo, Jr. received the wildlife ambulance and WILDBase from USAID Philippines Environment Office Deputy Director Paul Seong at a turnover ceremony held at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center.

“We appreciate USAID’s continued generosity to the DENR through the years.  The enforcement of our wildlife laws, rules, and regulations do not end with the confiscation of the wildlife and the prosecution of the violators,” said Undersecretary Adobo. “With this new ambulance, WILDBase, and newest equipment and materials, we can more easily treat and monitor the health of confiscated wildlife.”

“This ambulance and online system complete USAID’s program of assistance for the DENR’s National Wildlife Rescue and Research Center, and complements the Center’s new wildlife diagnostics equipment, wildlife handling tools, and digital innovations,” said Seong.

Since 2016, the Protect Wildlife project has helped protect 750,000 hectares of diverse landscapes and seascapes, trained 2,300 men and women in improved environmental enforcement practices, and brought economic and environmental benefits to 95,000 Filipinos through environmentally sustainable livelihoods, community-based enforcement, and sustainably managed natural resources.

About USAID’s Protect Wildlife project:

Through its Protect Wildlife project, USAID works with government and private sector partners to reduce threats to Philippine biodiversity—such as illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss—by helping partners and stakeholders strengthen policies and actions toward improved conservation and enforcement practices.

Manila, February 3, 2021 – The U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Philippine National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) signed a new, five-year bilateral assistance agreement valued at more than Php7.25 billion ($150 million) to protect the Philippine environment.

Through this agreement, the United States and the Philippines deepen their commitment to protect the environment by promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, expanding access to renewable energy, and reducing risks from natural disasters.

In partnership with national, provincial, and local governments, USAID will implement projects to increase access to clean energy and water; improve natural resource management; and protect the Philippines’ landscapes, wildlife, and fisheries.  These projects support the Philippines’ and United States’ shared goal of preserving the Philippines’ world-renowned natural treasures while improving the lives of Filipinos and ensuring sustainable jobs.

“This new agreement with NEDA, which includes partnerships with the Departments of Natural Resources, Energy, and Agriculture—Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, marks a new era in our longstanding support to the Philippines.  We will work together to address many environmental challenges.  Together, we will strengthen government and community efforts in responding to environmental challenges to achieve our shared vision for safer and more resilient Filipino communities.  Our assistance will help protect the forests, fisheries, and water and energy resources for millions of Filipinos, increase livelihoods, and promote nature as an engine of sustainable growth,” said USAID Philippines Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II.

This bilateral agreement is one of four new, five-year USAID-Government of Philippines Development Assistance Agreements launching in 2020 and 2021, with an anticipated total value of Php32.7 billion ($675 million) over the next five years.

The other new agreements include:

• Department of Health: To improve underserved Filipinos’ well-being by strengthening health systems and improving 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;
• Department of Education: To improve early grade reading; expand science and mathematics curricula; increase out-of-school youth access to education, professional training, and technical skills development that will lead to new job opportunities; and strengthen education governance.

Over the past 20 years, USAID has provided over Php216 billion ($4.5 billion) to advance the country’s development goals.

Manila, January 22, 2021 – On January 22, U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Director Kelia Cummins joined Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo, Jr., DENR Biodiversity Management Bureau Officer-in-Charge and Assistant Director Amelita DJ. Ortiz, and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Global Programme for Combatting Wildlife and Forest Crime Regional Coordinator Giovanni Broussard for the virtual turnover of 400 Rapid Reference Guides (RRG) and 30 electronic tablets to authorities for use in the investigation and prosecution of wildlife crime in the Philippines.

The RRG, a compendium of relevant provisions of Philippine law, rules and regulations, and appropriate sentences, is a practical instrument for frontline investigators in preparing wildlife crime cases for successful prosecution.  This project is part of a Php38.5 million ($800,000) Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime in Southeast Asia grant implemented by UNODC in Southeast Asia and funded by INL.

The Biodiversity Management Bureau brought together many stakeholders, including the Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crime, Anti-Money Laundering Council Secretariat, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police (PNP)-Maritime Group, PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, PNP-Aviation Security Group, Philippine Ports Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Customs, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, other representatives from the DENR-Regional Offices and DENR-Legal Affairs Service, to assist with the development of the field reference guide.

Utilizing UNODC’s regional expertise regarding practices for countering wildlife trafficking, the stakeholders developed an application to make the RRG available to a larger number of investigators and prosecutors via phones or tablets.

The INL-sponsored program provided 30 tablets for practitioners in the criminal justice system in charge of the investigation and prosecution of wildlife crimes.

Manila, November 19, 2020 – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the provinces of Palawan, Negros Occidental, and Sarangani to address water security challenges faced by communities there.  USAID Acting Mission Director Patrick Wesner led the signing ceremony together with representatives from the Philippine government and private sector, including National Economic and Development Authority Assistant Director General Roderick Planta, Palawan Governor Jose Chaves Alvarez, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, and Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon.

Palawan, Negros Occidental, and Sarangani all face recurring water shortages amid rising water demand, degraded watersheds, and inadequate access to water supply and sanitation services.  Through its five-year, Php869-million Safe Water project, USAID will provide technical assistance to help communities in these provinces gain reliable access to clean water.

In his remarks at the signing ceremony, Gov. Lacson hailed the partnership as “a milestone and a significant step towards a more serious and in-depth water governance for more inclusive and sustainable development in the province of Negros Occidental.”

USAID’s assistance will focus on increasing access to resilient water and sanitation services, improving water resource management to ensure sustainable supply, and strengthening water sector governance.  USAID will also scale up successful approaches and models by utilizing best practices from policymakers and other sector players.

“The U.S. government is proud to support the efforts of Palawan, Negros Occidental, and Sarangani to achieve water security.  USAID will work with partners to maximize the use of data and sound analytics to guide informed decision making, identify lasting solutions, and prioritize investments,” said Acting Mission Director Wesner.

The MOU signing event also highlighted Safe Water’s partnership with private sector and non-government organizations.  USAID’s implementing partner for Safe Water, DAI Global LLC, will work with the Philippine Business for Social Progress, Water.org, Mahintana Foundation Inc, Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation Inc and the Foundation for a Sustainable Society Inc to empower communities to become better environmental stewards, build local capacity to deliver clean drinking water and improved sanitation services, and strengthen stakeholder engagement toward long-term water security.

About USAID

USAID is the lead U.S. government agency for international development and disaster assistance.  In the Philippines, USAID partners with the national government to build toward a more stable, prosperous, and well-governed nation.   For more information, visit https://www.usaid.gov/philippines or email infoph@usaid.gov.

Manila, February 21, 2019 — U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim congratulated Team iNON for beating out 1,395 teams from around the world to win the Best Galactic Impact category in the 2018 NASA Space Apps Challenge.  Ambassador Kim awarded certificates of recognition to team members Revbrain Martin, Marie Jeddah Legaspi, Julius Czar Torreda, and Matthew Concubierta at the U.S. Embassy on February 21.  A fifth team member, Leandro de Guzman, was unable to attend the event.

The five Filipino innovators created ISDApp, from the Filipino word “isda,” meaning fish, to communicate crucial information about real-time weather and sea conditions to fisherfolk.  The app enables local government officials to provide this potentially life-saving information to fisherfolks’ analog cellphones using NASA Globe observer data.

Ambassador Kim said, “I am deeply impressed by team iNON’s fantastic achievement in defeating teams from around the world to win first place in the Galactic Impact category of the NASA Space Apps Challenge.  They can inspire other Filipino youth to develop innovative solutions to problems in their own communities.”

Team iNON conceived of ISDApp at the U.S. Embassy-sponsored NASA Space Apps Challenge in October 2018.  Deputy Chief of Mission John Law, who served on the panel of judges, said, “Team iNON’s approach to getting important information out to members of coastal communities without internet connectivity struck me as clever and compassionate, and I’m pleased they received global recognition.”

Team iNON member Legaspi explained, “ISDapp is a simple solution with an important purpose, which we believe helped it swim to success.  This is proof that even technology needs a heart.”

Martin added, “We saw the problem, and figured we could do something to help the lives of coastal communities around the world.”

Manila, February 7, 2019 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines awarded a Php 23.8 million grant to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to support implementation of the Philippines National Broadband Network Project.  U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and DICT Acting Secretary Eliseo M. Rio, Jr. signed the grant during a ceremony at DICT headquarters on February 7.

The grant, issued through the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), will fund technical assistance to help DICT advance its plans to provide broadband access to underserved markets throughout the Philippines.  The advisors, who will be selected by DICT from qualified U.S. firms, will assist DICT in refining technical and operational designs, assessing future market demand, and preparing documentation required for the financing and implementation of the network.

“The U.S. is a strong friend, partner, and ally of the Philippines, and I am proud to expand our partnership in technology and communications,” said Ambassador Kim.  “This grant supports the Philippine government’s goal of improving connectivity across the country and transitioning towards a digital economy.”

USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.  USTDA Acting Director Thomas R. Hardy explained, “This grant demonstrates USTDA’s commitment to supporting the development of quality information and communications infrastructure and broadband capabilities in the Philippines.  At the same time, this project will expand opportunities for U.S. companies to deliver innovative technologies and solutions in the Philippines market.”