PHL sees more economic opportunities for workers in mutual accountability framework with Canada

(VANCOUVER, Canada) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Meeting with the Filipino Community at the West English Bay Ballroom C&D of the Vancouver Convention Center for his State Visit to Canada. (Photo by:Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA — The Philippines expects greater economic opportunities for Filipino workers and marginalized groups crucial for poverty reduction and achievement of broad-based growth, with the signing of Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF) between the governments of the Philippines and Canada.

“Linking development priorities and goals between the Philippine and Canadian governments will help ensure sustainability of strategies under the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, which have already produced significant results for the Philippine economy,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

Balisacan, also the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General, signed the MAF with Canada in behalf of the Philippine government during President Benigno S. Aquino III’s recent state visit in Canada.

This is the first MAF that Canada signed with an Asian country and the third MAF that Canada has signed with another government. The other two MAFs were with Senegal and Ghana.

The Philippines-Canada MAF aims to establish the shared desire between the Philippine and Canadian governments to support broad-based and sustainable economic growth.

The two countries will design programs, projects and activities that will provide economic opportunities for low-skilled workers, micro-entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers, and especially on youth, women and marginalized groups.

The framework seeks to program an annual indicative amount for Canada’s bilateral development assistance to the Philippines worth CAD$ 12 million for fiscal year (FY) 2015-2016, CAD$ 15 million in FY 2016-2017, CAD$ 17 million in 2017-2018, and CAD$ 20 million annually in FY 2018-2019 and 2019-2020.

“The continuing support of Canada is very important in our effort to make growth inclusive and disaster-resilient and to deepen good governance reforms,” Balisacan said.

Moreover, the MAF is expected to contribute to a more disaster-resilient and gender-responsive enabling environment at national and sub-national levels of government.