The Australian government has committed over 27 million Australian dollars for the next five years for security and development programs in the Philippines which are expected to boost the capability of the government in thwarting terrorism by enhancing the military capability of the Philippine armed forces and by addressing poverty.
Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) Counsellor Angus Macdonald said that the Australian government has committed 17 million Australian dollars for the Action for Conflict Transformation (ACT for Peace) Program to be implemented in the next five years.
The ACT for Peace Program is the successor of the Philippines-United Nations Multi-Donor Program (UNMDP) that ended recently where the Australian government also contributed the most among foreign donors with a grant of 17.2 million Australian dollars.
The ACT for Peace Program will follow up on the gains of the UNMDP from 1997 to 2004 in providing basic services and agriculture-based livelihood programs to former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels.
Macdonald said that aside from addressing poverty which is considered as a hotbed of terrorist ideals, the Australian government is also committing 10 million Australian dollars for the training of the Philippine armed forces against possible terrorist attacks.
Earlier this month, the defense ministries of the two countries have discussed closer military cooperation, particularly on training exercises on counter-terrorism.
The $10-million Australian dollars grant would also be used to enhance the Philippines’ border control, especially the detection of fraudulent travel documents and the procurement of better port facilities.
The Australian Embassy said that among the priorities for the 10 million Australian dollars grant is the compliance of Philippine ports with the security standards set by the International Maritime Organization.
Macdonald said that the Australian government expects to help the country prevent possible terrorist attacks and eventually, achieve economic development, through bilateral military cooperation and the development grants to address poverty in Mindanao.
"Sustainable reductions in poverty can only be achieved in a stable environment. Conflict and the threat of terrorism result in less confidence, reduced investment, and disrupted services, all of which suppress economic growth, making the challenge of tackling poverty more difficult. These threats also undermine personal security particularly for the poor and vulnerable," Macdonald said.
