Australia gives financial aid to 80 public schools in Metro Manila, ARMM

MANILA, Philippines - The Australian government has provided financial assistance amounting to P4.7 million (A$109,000) to 80 public schools in the country.

In a statement, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) said the cash assistance will be used by 80 public schools — 30 in Metro Manila and 50 in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ­— for minor repairs, repainting and cleaning.

The agency also provided each school with at least P60,000 worth of schools supplies.

“Australian aid will assist the Philippine government to promote opportunities for all by improving learning outcomes of school children in English, mathematics and science and ensuring that more children finish elementary and secondary education,” the agency said.

AusAID said the Australian support helps increase access to quality education for Filipino girls and boys, including those with disabilities, Muslim and indigenous children and children in disadvantaged and conflict-affected areas.

“Australia is working with the Philippine government, civil society and the private sector to train teachers, provide educational facilities including classrooms and day care centers strengthen school-based management practice, improve education planning and management systems, and provide teaching and learning materials,” Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said.

“Our participation in Brigada Eskwela is part of Australia’s significant commitment to helping improve the quality of teaching and learning in the Philippines,” he said.

Last year, AusAID and the city government of Taguig have partnered to relocate squatter families living in disaster-prone areas, and ensuring that they remain in the relocation sites.

The six-year “in-city” relocation dubbed BRACE (Building the Resilience and Awareness of Metro Manila Communities to Natural Disasters and Climate Change Impacts), aims to help the government transfer informal settlers from dangerous areas to safer grounds and ensure that they will not return to their old shanties.

AusAID will provide some P1.6 billion while the Taguig City will allocate at least P1.3 billion for the BRACE program.