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Bohol aims to tap MCC funds for anti-poverty

Written by Misael on 14 May 2008

ANOTHER window opens with brighter prospects for Bohol as the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), one of the country’s most recent sources of funds in development assistance comes here.

The Bohol visit though, is no indication that Bohol’s priority anti-poverty development projects would automatically funnel funds from the multi-million dollar grants portfolio that the MCC has been granting to the world’s countries thrashing out of poverty, MCC Vice President John Hewko says.

He stressed however that the Philippine is already eligible and a core team in Manila actually decides which projects, sectors or geographic area can be granted aid in the Philippines.

The Philippines has lately achieved MCC grant eligibility and all local development efforts needing assistance now compete for it.

On the other hand, Department of Finance Undersecretary Roberto Tan assured that the Philippine government would like to be very broad in its consultations to be able to come out with a framework that has the most impact to communities.

The MCC in Bohol also immerses the bigwigs of the US grant agency to the development innovations in Bohol, one which was presented to them by Provincial planning and Development Officer Atty. John Titus Vistal.

Hewko lauded Bohol presentation calling it excellent, and one of the best in their 20 or more provincial and city government interactions across the globe.

With the rave, hopes still remain high as MCC’s hinted that Bohol could hold an ace in its attempt to dip into MCC fund sources. MCC saw that its goals are consistent with Bohol’s development priorities.

In another show of unity and support, both Governor Erico Aumentado along with Capitol department heads and Vice Governor Hererra with his flank of legislators sat through the entire interaction held at the Chatto Conference Hall May 14.

In another presentation, Hewko cited that their corporation aims to provide greater resources to countries that are taking responsibilities in their own development.

He added that their assistance jibes with development as a key pillar in US policy aims.

According to Hewko, the MCC is a United States Government corporation designed to work with some of the poorest countries in the world.

MCC, he said is based on the principle that aid is most effective when it reinforces good governance, economic freedom and investments in people.

Its mission is to reduce global poverty through the promotion of sustainable economic growth.

Citing local efforts, MCC said they are into helping countries with sound governance and economic policies, broad country ownership of development efforts and with clear objectives, measurable results and with a high level of transparency.

Bohol has all of these in place, MCC officials said after the presentation. (rachiu/PIA)

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