MCC to roll out 2nd batch of anti-poverty projects

TACLOBAN CITY, May 24 (PNA) –- The US government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is in the process of identifying possible projects up for funding in the second agreement, following the expiration of the first set of anti-poverty grants this month.

MCC Deputy Resident Country Director Burak Inanc said that after the economic constraints analysis, the next step is to identify projects that will drive economic growth and fight poverty.

“That’s currently under development. The way MCC works is there is a very structured process. In the beginning, they do economic constraints analysis because MCC programs are all designed to increase economy and address poverty,” Inanc said.

Inanc is eyeing to complete the identification process within this year and sign an agreement next year.

In a statement, the US embassy said once designed, proposed, and approved, this new compact would allow the Philippines to continue to benefit from MCC’s poverty alleviation initiatives and build upon the Philippine government’s strong policy reform efforts.

In 2014, the MCC, has selected the Philippines as eligible to develop a second “compact” or agreement- with MCC for further poverty-reducing support.

The Philippines compact project was signed on Sept. 23, 2010 by President Benigno S. Aquino III and then US Secretary of State and Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Chair Hillary Clinton.

The USD434 million grants from the US government funded the Secondary National Road Development Project linking Samar and Eastern Samar provinces, tax administration reform of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and community development projects of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“I don’t think we will focus on doing the same projects. We are looking at broader number of sectors. 

It’s not clear exactly what the projects will be. We are very concern that that projects funded under the first compact are sustained after the compact is over,” Inanc added.

The MCC is a US government agency helping lead the fight against global poverty through sustainable economic growth.

Created by Congress in 2004, the MCC operates based on the guiding principles of competitive selection, country-led design, country-led implementation and a focus on results. More than USD10 billion has been provided to the world’s poorest countries supporting various projects. (PNA)
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO