By Caribbean News Global 
OTTAWA, Canada – Maninder Sidhu, parliamentary secretary to the minister of international development, announced Thursday that Canada will provide $18.9 million over the next five years to support seen new projects in the Philippines.
“The Philippines has made significant advances in gender equality, education, economic security and peace over the years; however, this pandemic has disproportionately affected people who are marginalized. Canada is committed to leaving no one behind in our development efforts with our partners in the Philippines,” said Sidhu.
“These initiatives focus mainly on the country’s COVID-19 pandemic economic response, improving access to education, empowering women and girls and improving their access to health care, and assisting people living in underdeveloped areas on Mindanao, including in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). To ensure these projects meet the needs of the most marginalized people, they will be implemented in partnership with Canadian, local and international multilateral non-governmental organizations and in close coordination with the Philippine government,” the announcement stated.
On August 10 and 11, parliamentary secretary Sidhu met virtually with partner NGOs working in the Philippines to discuss progress and challenges in advancing the health and empowerment of women and girls, as well as the ongoing peace and development work in the BARMM.
“Canada is committed to helping other countries combat the COVID-19 pandemic and to supporting their economic recovery and resilience. The Philippines continues to face high COVID-19 rates, and a range of restrictions remain in place, affecting livelihoods and access to education and health care, as well as increasing the strain on the advancement of peace and development on Mindanao,” said the government statement.
