EC to give 43m pesos for RP projects

EC to give 43m pesos for RP projects

PHILIPPINES: The European Commission (EC) said on Wednesday it
had approved grants worth 43 million pesos (US$774,770) for
projects aimed at boosting efforts in fiscal governance and civil
society participation in the Philippines.

The grants were given to five non-government organizations in
the Philippines.

"The projects were selected for their potential to produce a
direct impact at policy level, to offer models for best practice,
as well as their possibility for expanding linkages between the
Philippines and the European Union," the EC said in a statement.

The projects included programs on reforming fiscal governance
in the fisheries sector, developing learning communities on
organic agriculture for export toward European markets, and
reducing barriers to the computerization of local government
units.

The EC has ongoing commitments of more than 10 billion pesos
for its development and economic assistance to the Philippines,
both bilateral programs and grants. It still has $1.84 million to
be allocated for projects this year. -- DPA