Canada commits P3.2-B for 12 new dev’t projects in PH

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

GROWING DEV’T TIES. Visiting Canadian Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai speaks to the press in a media roundtable at the Peninsula Manila in Makati City on Friday (Nov. 14, 2025). Sarai’s visit is part of Ottawa’s efforts to increase development cooperation with Manila. (PNA photo by Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

MANILA – Canada is investing more than 76.4 million Canadian dollars (about PHP3.2 billion) in 12 new development projects in the Philippines, the country’s Minister for International Development announced Friday.

The initiatives will focus on disaster risk reduction and resilience, water and food security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and boosting energy security.

Through the funding, Canada will also work with local partners to expand access to sexual and reproductive health services, address malnutrition and stunting, and provide resources for children affected by conflict.

In a media roundtable in Makati City, visiting Canadian Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai described the investment as one of Canada’s largest since launching its Indo-Pacific Strategy.

“Canada stands alongside the Filipino people as partners in building a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future,” he said.

“These new investments reflect our deep commitment to supporting local leadership, especially women and communities on the front lines of climate change and development. Together, we are strengthening disaster preparedness, expanding access to health, and unlocking economic opportunities that benefit both our countries.”

The 12 new projects are as follows:

• Climate Resilient Agri-Food Trade Promotion Support (CRAFTS), CAD 5 million (2025-2031)
• Economic Linkages for Enhance Value, Trade and Exports (ELEVaTE), CAD 5 million (2025-2031)
• Disaster Resilient and Climate Adaptive Food Systems (DRCAFS), CAD 9.1 million (2025-2032)
• Building Capacities for Eco-Resilience in the Philippine, CAD 3.1 million (2025-2032)
• Addressing Stunting in the Philippines, CAD 7.1 million (2025-2029)
• Isla Maganda “Beautiful Island”: Peace Education for Conflict-Affected Children, CAD 3.1 million (2025-2029)
• Sustainable and Transformative Action to Realize SRHR (STARS), CAD 7.1 million (2025-2031)
• Building Resilience through Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (BRIDGE), CAD 3.7 million (2025-2029)
• Agsama Kape (Together for Coffee), CAD 9.1 million (2025-2030)
• Empowering Stewardship in the Coral Triangle, CAD 11.15 million (2025-2029)
• Energy is the Key to a Climate Stable Future (Enerkey), CAD 11 million (2025-2030)
• Toward Sustainable Energy Security in ASEAN, CAD 2 million (2025-2028)

One of the projects, the CRAFTS, will support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the processed food sector, while another one, the ELEVaTE, will boost women-led SMEs to grow their businesses internationally.

On disaster resilience, its CAD9.1 million DRCAFS will strengthen the food systems for at least 15,000 smallholder farmers in climate-vulnerable communities in Northern Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

A separate project will also improve the country’s ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (ECO-DRR) through training and the provision of technology.

From 2023 to 2024 alone, Canada provided CAD45.82 million in international assistance to the Philippines, making it the country’s 6th largest donor.

Over the years, Ottawa’s assistance provided 65,994 Filipino women access to family planning services and trained 13,349 community educators in promoting reproductive health and preventing gender-based violence.

The growing development ties also helped smallholder cacao farmers reach a 50 percent increase in income and yields, with 77 percent gaining better market access.

Canadian-funded nature-based solutions also supported about 534,000 hectares of protected seascape, with at least 15 biodiversity enterprises launched.

“The Philippines is one of the countries of priority that Canada wants to help develop and increase our relationships with,” Sarai said.

“We’re the sixth, top six donor country for the Philippines – it’s a high priority, and we would like to continue that growth. I think there’s a lot of potential between our two countries.”