Australia to double aid next year

By Mai B. Gevera

Davao City (16 November) — “We’re pouring in more money in the Philippines.”

This was the good news of new Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Tony Hely during his very first visit to this city yesterday.

Hely bared Australia’s move to help developing countries like the Philippines.

“Currently, we are undertaking a major review of Australia’s aid programs to the Philippines.” he said.

In an interview with government and private media, Hely excitedly announced Australia’s plans of doubling aid to the Philippines starting next year.

“We will issue a White Paper next year stating major changes in the partnership between the Australian Government and the Philippine Government.”

From 2005 through 2009, Australia will provide an additional A$2.054 Overseas Development Assistance on top of Australia’s existing aid program. This includes an increase of assistance to East Asia to A$344 million in 2005-2006 and an increase to A$77 million for aid to Africa.

Highly prioritized by the said country, education in the Philippines still remains the number one concern of Australia which makes the program Basic Education Access for Mindanao as the biggest Australian project given to the country.

“We make education as our flagship program because we value our children.”

Despite the alarming concern of terrorism in the Philippines, Australia never closes doors for partnership with the said country.

Hely said that terrorism is not just a concern of his country but a global issue as well. ” This is the very reason why we are prioritizing education to give our young people the needed knowledge as well as train them for livelihood so they would not break any laws,” he said.

Hely further said that education is very critical that is why Australia is making sure that its programs would be good motivation for the Filipinos to condemn terrorism.

However, he clarified that global threat of terrorism would not hamper the Australian Government to continue extending financial aid to its partner countries like the Philippines. (PIA)