PH withdraws application for U.S. aid to prioritize Marawi rehabilitation

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and US President Donald Trump discuss matters during a bilateral meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on November 13, 2017. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

The Philippines is set to withdraw its application for the next round of aid from independent U.S. foreign aid agency to prioritize the rehabilitation of war-damaged Marawi City, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Tuesday, December 19.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is an independent U.

S. foreign aid agency that is helping lead the fight against global poverty with some of the world’s poorest countries that are committed to good governance, economic freedom, and investing in their citizens.

“By way of final announcement, we have opted to withdraw from the second millenium challenge, the decision to withdraw was because of the urgent priority of the administration to rebuild Marawi ” Roque told Palace reporters.

Despite the withdrawal, Roque said that the Philippine government is still hopeful that the U.S. will give support and assistance for the reconstruction of the war-ravaged city which was attacked by Isis-inspired Maute group in May 2017.

“We have invited the US government’s continued support and assistance for the reconstruction of Marawi,” he said.

“We are confident the US government fully understands the decision to reallocate our funding priority for this year and that this will not in any way adversely impact our eligibility for another round of compact assistance in the future,” he added.

In 2010, the Philippines has been approved to receive a five-year $434 million worth of investments from the MCC that supported the modernization of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the upgrade of a major highway in Samar province. The grant expired last May 2016.

Roque, however, said that the decision is unconnected to the country’s recent failure to meet the MCC’s standard performance on rule of law and curbing corruption. The Philippines received low scores in MCC Fiscal Year 2018 scorecard in terms of controlling corruption and ensuring the rule of law.