USAID, The Asia Foundation Launch Assistance Program For Local Governments In Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - With support from the United States Agency for International Development, The Asia Foundation will help local governments in Mindanao improve fiscal performance, service delivery, transparency and accountability.

The Foundation will conduct a series of regional orientations in Mindanao to announce the availability of technical assistance for local governance improvement, which will be implemented under the fourth phase of the USAID-supported Transparent Accountable Governance Program.

Many local governments in Mindanao are challenged by limited resources and inadequate governance capacity, which impede the delivery of even the most basic services to citizens.

In some areas of the region, instability hinders economic development. The TAG Program will assist local governments in increasing revenues and managing expenditures, enhancing frontline services, and improving administrative processes to enable them to better serve citizens.

The Foundation will conduct three regional orientations to provide information on program enrolment, the competitive selection process, and the expected results of TAG assistance. The first orientation will be held on July 20 and 21 in Davao City for municipalities in Regions 11 and 12.

The second orientation, in Cagayan de Oro City on July 22 and 23, will cover Regions 9, 10, and CARAGA. A separate orientation for ARMM municipalities will follow in September. Provincial directors of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and representatives of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines will participate as TAG partners.

“We welcome Mindanao mayors to the orientation sessions on our local governance assistance program. The U.S. Government proudly supports local governance and decentralization that brings development closer to the citizens,” said Roger Carlson, Acting Mission Director of USAID.

Dr. Steven Rood, Philippine Country Representative of The Asia Foundation said, “The Foundation is pleased to be able to reach out to local governments throughout Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. We are at the very beginning of a new administration, both at the national and the local levels, so this effort is perfectly timed to maximize the benefits which can be produced in the upcoming term of office of local officials.”

280 Schools Get New Books From The Asia Foundation

Map from answers.com shows Catanduanes' Virac town where The Asia Foundation donated some 13,600 books to more than 280 schools. (Text by the Mindanao Examiner)

CATANDUANES, Philippines – More than 280 public and private schools in the town of Virac in Catanduanes, an island province in the Philippines’ Bicol region, benefited from the Books for Asia program of The Asia Foundation which distributed some 13,600 books on Friday.

Mostly new children’s books and high school texts and college reference materials were distributed in the picturesque but typhoon-prone province, said Reynald Ocampo, Assistant Program Officer for the Books for Asia Program.

Invited in the affair were Catanduanes Governir Joseph Cua, Virac Mayor Jose Alberto II, Congressman Cesar Sarmiento, Philippine Judicial Academy Chancellor Justice Adolfo Azcuna, Regional Trial Court Presiding Judge Lelu Contreras, Bishop of Diocese of Virac, Most Rev. Manolo de Los Santos, Department of Education Schools Division Superintendent Doctor Artemio Rivera, and other officers of the local government.

Ky Johnson, Deputy Country Representative of The Asia Foundation, and Efren Balajadia, Director of the Books for Asia Program, presented the donated books to representatives of elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities.

“The Asia Foundation is proud to work with local leaders and citizens on long-term efforts to revitalize educational opportunities, which will in turn help recovery,” said Johnson. “Through this donation of books, we hope to foster enthusiasm among students for reading, which can help them to greater achievements in school, even during difficult times.”

Balajadia said the books would help a lot of students in their studies. “It is my hope that these books and materials can help schoolchildren to revive and sustain their love of reading, especially in the midst of severe and ongoing challenges,” he said.

The governor on the other hand said: “The Asia Foundation’s priceless gifts will go a long way towards improving a lot of our schools and our school children. We shall cherish those presents and we thank you for you for making this a worthwhile milestone.”

“We can assure you that many parents and teachers will appreciate your generosity in providing learning materials to help elevate the literacy among our children and teachers as well. And we believe that as children have access to books and, they will be able to study more and have a better understanding and appreciation of the world we live in,” Cua said.

The school superintendent also praised The Asia Foundation for its benevolent programs. “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them,” Rivera said.

The donation and delivery was made in cooperation with local governments and private partners, and will enhance the schools and libraries of communities in Catanduanes as part of a wider effort throughout the Philippines.
For 55 years, The Asia Foundation has supported local communities to improve education for students.

The Asia Foundation also thanked the continued support of public and private partners in the endeavor, including the provincial government of Catanduanes and the Municipality of Virac for encouraging education and literacy; Aboitiz2Go for its help shipping the donated books; and American publishers such as the McGraw-Hill Companies and Pearson Education for their donations of brand new books ranging from elementary through university levels.

Books for Asia is The Asia Foundation’s longest running program and regularly distributes books and other reading materials for all educational levels in over 18 countries. Since it was started in September 1954, The Books for Asia program has distributed nearly 45 million books and journals to more than 50,000 academic and non-academic institutions throughout Asia.

The Philippines alone has been a recipient of 13 million books and journals to public and private institutions across the country. More than 95 percent of Books for Asia’s donations are new textbooks, donated by U.S. publishers.
The reading materials range from the elementary level to professional level, covering such fields as government, business, health, environment, information technology, social science, and international relations.

Books for Asia have made a significant contribution to education in the Philippines, especially since resources for instruction tools and facilities are scarce. All educational levels have benefited from this program. Basic textbooks and supplementary reading materials have been donated to schools and libraries all over the country. NGOs are also recipients of valuable resource materials from Books for Asia.

The Asia Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region. The Foundation supports programs in Asia that help improve governance, law, and civil society; women's empowerment; economic reform and development; and international relations. Drawing on nearly 60 years of experience in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with private and public partners to support leadership and institutional development, exchanges, and policy research.

With 18 offices throughout Asia, an office in Washington, D.C., and its headquarters in San Francisco, the Foundation addresses these issues on both a country and regional level. In 2009, the Foundation provided more than $86 million in program support and distributed nearly one million books and journals valued at over $43 million.

Two Warring Sulu Muslim Clans End Fighting; Sign Peace Covenant

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / August 19, 2009) – Two prominent Muslim clans engaged in bloody feud in the southern Filipino province of Sulu have signed a peace covenant ending four years of hostilities.

The Caluang-Halun clans signed the peace covenant during a thanksgiving ceremony held in Zamboanga City over the weekend. The ceremony was attended by over 200 mostly clan elders and members led by former Mayor Al Hussein Caluang and Hajji Peping Halun, village chieftain of Pitogo in Kalingalan Caluang town.

Both Caluang and Halun are prominent clans in the towns of Kalingalan Caluang and Luuk in Sulu, according to Commissioner Mukattil Adjail, of the Regional Reconciliation and Unification Commission in the Muslim autonomous region.

“The covenant signed by the Caluang and Halun clans will surely bring peace in Sulu and stop the hostilities between the two sides,” Adjail told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said the feud started when in November 2005, Don Caluang, who was a former mayor in Kalingalan Caluang town, was killed in Zamboanga City. The succeeding retaliations between the two clans left two dozen people dead and 14 injured from both sides.

“This reconciliation was made possible through the efforts of Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, the Regional Reconciliation and Unification Commission of Sulu province and local non-governmental organizations, the United Youth of the Philippines–Women, Inc. and Sakayan Mindanao, with the support of The Asia Foundation and United States Agency for International Development,” Adjail said.

Ampatuan, who is actively involved in the settlement of clan feuds, is the governor of the Muslim autonomous region to which Sulu belongs. While The Asia Foundation funded meetings and other activities related to the peaceful resolutions of clan feuds, Adjail said.

In a separate statement, Dr Steven Rood, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation said: “As the Holy Month of Ramadan approaches some time next week, this celebration of reconciliation between the Caluang and Halun families is truly a blessing and an inspiration for all of us.”

“This reconciliation of the two families is inspirational because it is a shining example of a path to peace attained through hard work, sincere dialogue, and genuine forgiveness,” he added.

Clan war or locally known as “rido” is common in many parts of the southern Philippines and so far had resulted in the killings of more than 5,000 people over the past seven decades. (Mindanao Examiner)

The Asia Foundation donates books to Lanao del Sur

MARAWI CITY, Philippines – Some 35,000 brand new books were distributed Sunday to 740 public elementary and high schools across Lanao Del Sur province in an effort to expand and improve access to educational materials.

Lanao Del Sur Provincial Library benefited from the donation of books which is made possible by The Asia Foundation’s Books for Asia program and distributed in Mindanao through the Foundation’s Transparent Accountable Governance project, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Governor Mamintal Adiong, Jr., officials of the provincial government, and staff of the Department of Education attended the handover ceremony.

Officials from USAID and from The Asia Foundation, including Ky Johnson, Deputy Country Representative and Efren Balajadia, Director of the Books for Asia program, presented the books to representatives of the 740 elementary and secondary schools at the event.

“We are working in solidarity with local leaders and citizens to distribute books to all communities, but especially in Mindanao, so that all scholars - rich and poor,Muslims and Christians - have access to reading materials and information,” said Johnson. “Through this donation, the people of Lanao Del Sur will have access to educational resources that will enhance their knowledge and skills in order to promote literacy in every community.”

USAID also supported the book distribution in Lanao Del Sur in response to the need for educational materials in Mindanao. Books for Asia provides a full range of books to public school students with different levels of learning.

The provision of books and other educational resources demonstrates commitment in the campaign to improving education in communities in the southern part of the Philippines.

Johnson noted the Foundation’s support to local communities in Mindanao and other parts of the Philippines to improve the quality of education dates back to the 1950s.

“With the cooperation of local governments and private partners, we can help each community bring educational materials to deserving students throughout southern Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines,” he said.

The Asia Foundation acknowledges the important support of public and private partners in this endeavor, especially the Provincial Government of Lanao Del Sur for encouraging activities that promote education and literacy American publishers like The McGraw-Hill Companies, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and Pearson Education for their donation of new books, as well as USAID for generously supporting Books for Asia’s efforts to foster education throughout Mindanao.

The Asia Foundation Donates 13,000 Books To Mindanao Schools

Dr Steven Rood, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation, hands turns over books to Iligan city Mayor Lawrence Cruz on Friday, October 10, 2008. While an unidentified student, curious about the donations, reads the label on the boxes of books for their school.

Dr Steven Rood, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation, hands turns over books to Iligan city Mayor Lawrence Cruz on Friday, October 10, 2008. While an unidentified student, curious about the donations, reads the label on the boxes of books for their school.

ILIGAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 10, 2008) – The Asia Foundation on Friday has donated more than 13,000 books to different schools in Iligan City in the southern Philippines.

Reynald S. Ocampo, Assistant Program Officer of the Books for Asia Program, said a total of 165 schools benefited from the donation which was made possible through The Asia Foundation’s Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) project.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has supported the project, Ocampo said.

The Asia Foundation, he said, distributed 13,500 children’s books, including secondary and college reference materials to both public and private schools across Iligan City.

He said among those who graced the occasion were Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz and Dr Steven Rood, the Country Representative of The Asia Foundation.

“In the midst of current conflicts and controversies in Mindanao, The Asia Foundation is proud to work with local leaders and citizens on longer-term efforts to improve educational opportunities, which will in turn help to reduce poverty,” Ocampo quoted Rood as saying.

“Through this donation of books, students in Iligan City will be provided with educational resources that can help them to greater achievements in school, increasing their chances of gainful employment and a more prosperous future,” Rood said.

The donation of books and materials was made in cooperation with local governments and private partners, and will enhance the libraries of communities throughout Southern Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines, according to Ocampo.

“For over 50 years, The Asia Foundation has supported local communities leading the effort to improve education for students. The Asia Foundation acknowledges the unrelenting support of public and private partners in this endeavor, including the government of Iligan City under the leadership of Mayor Cruz for encouraging education and literacy, Aboitiz2go for its help shipping the donated books, American publishers for their donations of brand new books ranging from elementary through university levels, and USAID for generously supporting Books for Asia’s efforts to foster education throughout Mindanao,” he said.

Books for Asia is The Asia Foundation’s longest running program and regularly distributes books and other reading materials for all educational levels in over 15 countries.

Since it was started in September 1954, The Books for Asia program has distributed more than 41 million books and journals to more than 50,000 academic and non-academic institutions throughout Asia.

The Philippines alone has been a recipient of 13 million books and journals to public and private institutions across the country. More than 95 percent of Books for Asia’s donations are new textbooks, donated by US publishers.

The reading materials range from the elementary level to professional level, covering such fields as government, business, health, environment, information technology, social science, and international relations.

The Books for Asia has made a significant contribution to education in the Philippines, especially since resources for instruction tools and facilities are scarce.

All educational levels have benefited from this program. Basic textbooks and supplementary reading materials have been donated to schools and libraries all over the country. Non-government organizations are also recipients of valuable resource materials from Books for Asia.

The Asia Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region.

The Foundation supports programs in Asia that help improve governance, law, and civil society; women's empowerment; economic reform and development; and international relations. Drawing on more than 50 years of experience in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with private and public partners to support leadership and institutional development, exchanges, and policy research.

With a network of 17 offices throughout Asia, an office in Washington, D.C., and its headquarters in San Francisco, the Foundation addresses these issues on both a country and regional level. In 2007, the Foundation provided more than $68 million in program support and distributed 974,000 books and educational materials valued at $33 million throughout Asia.

The Asia Foundation is not an endowed organization, and depends solely on monetary contributions from donors to accomplish its work.

While the USAID's program in the Philippines, valued at approximately $80 million in 2008, focuses on strengthening peace in conflict-affected Mindanao, promoting good governance, increasing economic opportunities, protecting the environment, strengthening health services, and improving basic education. (With a report from Merlyn Manos)

Mindanao Schools Get 23,000 Books From The Asia Foundation

SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 06, 2008) – The Asia Foundation donated 18,000 books Thursday to more than 400 schools in Mindanao and pledged to release more in the southern Philippines.

“We will release more books in southern Philippines and we are so happy to help support basic education program in the region,” said Efren Balajadia, director of the Books for Asia Program, of The Asia Foundation.

Balajadia said they distributed books and other reference materials in Koronadal City and in South Cotabato province. He said they will also release 5,000 books Friday in at least 155 schools in General Santos City.

“Today, we released 18,000 books in 440 mostly public schools in Koronadal and South Cotabato province and we will donate 5,000 more books on Friday in schools in General Santos,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.

In December, Balajadia’s group also donated books and reference materials to Gov. Sakur Tan of Sulu province during a two-day peace caravan. Balajadia said they will continue to support the education program in Sulu, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.

Dr Steven Rood, country representative of The Asia Foundation, said the distribution of the books in Mindanao is made possible through The Asia Foundation’s Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) project with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The provision of books and other educational resources serves as a joint commitment in the campaign for education among communities in South Cotabato and General Santos, he said.

Balajadia also quoted Ky Johnson, the deputy country representative of The Asia Foundation, as saying: “The Asia Foundation is happy to be able to provide educational resources in order to make a difference in the lives of school children in South Cotabato and General Santos.”

“All members of society have to take on the responsibility of mobilizing their resources to create an impact on the performance of their young leaders. With the help of our local governments and private partners, we can help each community as we bring learning to all deserving schools throughout Southern Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines.” Balajadia said.

Since 1954, Books for Asia program has been committed to the belief that knowledge and education are critical for Asian nations to advance their citizens and societies. The program puts nearly one million up-to-date books and resources of the highest quality into the hands of students, teachers, and librarians in 17 Asian countries each year, according to The Asia Foundation.

“Education forms the foundation for all prosperous and democratic societies,” Jon Lindborg, USAID Philippines Mission Director, said in a statement. “The U.S. Government is very proud to support the work of dedicated organizations like The Asia Foundation and committed schools and communities across Mindanao to help improve educational opportunities for school children and young scholars.”

USAID's program in the Philippines, valued at approximately $80 million in 2008, focuses on strengthening peace in conflict-affected Mindanao, promoting good governance, increasing economic opportunities, protecting the environment, strengthening health services, and improving basic education.

Last year, The Asia Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region, provided more than $68 million in program support and distributed 974,000 books and educational materials valued at $33 million throughout Asia. It depends solely on monetary contributions from donors to accomplish its work.

Reynald Ocampo, Assistant Program Officer-Books for Asia Program, acknowledged the unrelenting support of public and private partners in the endeavor and said U.S. publishers have supplied the books while the Aboitiz2go helped shipped them to Mindanao.

“We are happy to help and look forward to providing more books to other areas in Mindanao,” Ocampo said in a separate interview. (With a report from Mark Navales)

The Asia Foundation Distributes Books In Southern Philippines

Efren Balajadia, the Director of the Books for Asia Program, of The Asia Foundation, hands over books and reference materials to Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan and Vice Gov. Lady Anne Sahidullah and other provincial officials headed by Patikul town Mayor Kabir Hayudini during a two-day peace caravan in Sulu province. The Asia Foundation will distribute 20,000 books on Thursday and Friday, March 6-7, 2008 in South Cotabato province and General Santos City in southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner Photo/Nickee Butlangan)

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 05, 2008) – The Asia Foundation will release some 20,000 children’s books and reference materials to 560 schools in the southern Philippines.

Steven Rood, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation, said they will distribute the books at separate ceremonies on Thursday and Friday in South Cotabato province and General Santos City.

The donations, he said, are part of The Asia Foundation’s Books for Asia program. The distribution of the books in Mindanao is made possible through The Asia Foundation’s Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) project with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Among key people who are invited to grace the occasion in South Cotabato are Koronadal City Mayor Fernando Miguel, South Cotabato Governor Daisy Fuentes and other government and education officials.

Mayor Pedro Acharon and Congresswoman Darlene Custodio will also lead the ceremony in General Santos City.

The provision of books and other educational resources serves as a joint commitment in the campaign for education among communities in South Cotabato and General Santos.

“The Asia Foundation is happy to be able to provide educational resources in order to make a difference in the lives of school children in South Cotabato and General Santos.”

“All members of society have to take on the responsibility of mobilizing their resources to create an impact on the performance of their young leaders. With the help of our local governments and private partners, we can help each community as we bring learning to all deserving schools throughout Southern Mindanao and the rest of the Philippines,” said Ky Johnson, Deputy Country Representative of The Asia Foundation.

Since 1954, Books for Asia program has been committed to the belief that knowledge and education are critical for Asian nations to advance their citizens and societies. The program puts nearly one million up-to-date books and resources of the highest quality into the hands of students, teachers, and librarians in 17 Asian countries each year, according to The Asia Foundation.

“Education forms the foundation for all prosperous and democratic societies,” Jon Lindborg, USAID Philippines Mission Director, said. “The U.S. Government is very proud to support the work of dedicated organizations like The Asia Foundation and committed schools and communities across Mindanao to help improve educational opportunities for school children and young scholars.”

USAID's program in the Philippines, valued at approximately $80 million in 2008, focuses on strengthening peace in conflict-affected Mindanao, promoting good governance, increasing economic opportunities, protecting the environment, strengthening health services, and improving basic education.

Last year, The Asia Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region, provided more than $68 million in program support and distributed 974,000 books and educational materials valued at $33 million throughout Asia. It depends solely on monetary contributions from donors to accomplish its work.

Reynald Ocampo, Assistant Program Officer-Books for Asia Program, acknowledged the unrelenting support of public and private partners in the endeavor and said U.S. publishers have supplied the books while the Aboitiz2go helped shipped them to Mindanao.

“We are happy to help and look forward to providing more books to other areas in Mindanao,” Ocampo told the Mindanao Examiner.

In December, the Asia Foundation led by Efren Balajadia, the Books for Asia Program Director, also donated books and reference materials to Sulu province during a two-day peace caravan. Balajadia said they will continue to support basic education program in Sulu. (With reports from Mark Navales and Nickee Butlangan)

The Good News!

Asia Foundation Donates 25,000 Books To 500 Mindanao Schools

BUTUAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 31 Jan) – The Asia Foundation donated Wednesday over 25,000 books to some 500 schools in the southern Philippine province of Surigao del Norte.

The donation was part of the Books for Asia Program and benefited schools in Surigao City and those in Dinagat islands and from across Surigao del Norte, said Reynald Ocampo, assistant program officer for The Asia Foundation Philippines’ Books for Asia Program.

The U.S. Agency for International Development was also instrumental for the delivery of tons of books to the province.

Ky Johnson, Deputy Country Representative of The Asia Foundation graced the ceremony attended by school representatives and government officials at a gymnasium in Surigao City. (Mindanao Examiner)

Libro Para Sa Mahihirap Ipamumudmod Sa Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 03 Dec) - Siguradong matutuwa ang mga street children at batang pulubi sa Zamboanga City matapos na makatanggap ang Mindanao Examiner ng dalawang malalaking kahon ng children's book upang ipamahagi sa mga mahihirap.

Galing sa The Asia Foundation ang mga libro at ibinigay ito sa hiling na rin ng Mindanao Examiner (http://mindanaoexaminer.com) na pinatatakbo ng mga manunulat sa Mindanao.

May humanitarian program kasi ang Mindanao Examiner para sa mga maralita sa ibat-ibang panig ng rehiyon at ito rin ang isa sa dalawang media partner ng Asia Foundation sa katimugan.

"Nagpapasalamat kami sa mabuting hangarin ng Asia Foundation dahil nagbigyan ng maraming libro ang Mindanao Examiner upang ipamahagi sa mga bata sa lansangan at maralita at sa gayun ay matulungan natin silang matuto sa araw-araw nilang pakikibaka sa mundo ng karihapan," ani Maritess Fernandez, ang tumatayong publisher ng Mindanao Examiner.

Si Mr Rey Ocampo, ng Asia Foundation, ang siyang nagpadala ng mga libro, wika pa ni Fernandez. Naunang nabigyan ng libro ng Asia Foundation at Mindanao Examiner ang Lumbangan Elementary School nitong taon lamang.

Ang Barangay Lumbangan na kung saan ay naroon ang tambakan ng basurahan ng Zamboanga City ang siyang naging daan upang maitatag ang Mindanao Examiner at maging instrumento sa pagtulong sa mga mahihirap. Doon makikita ang maraming mga bata na napilitang tumitgil sa pagaaral upang mamulot ng basura at makatulong sa pagpapakain sa kanilang pamilya.

Umapela rin si Fernandez ng tulong mula sa mga malalaking kumpanya sa bansa, partikular ang mga food companies, upang madagdagan ang mga kaligayahan ng mga pulubi sa Mindanao.

Bukod sa The Asia Foundation ay nangako na rin sa Mindanao Examiner ng 500 kilong bigas si Sharif Ibrahim Ajibul Mohammad Pulalun, ang Sultan ng Sulu at North Borneo, para sa mga mahihirap na batang Muslim at Kristiyano sa darating na pasko. May isa rin foundation si Pulalun sa Mindanao na ang tanging layunin ay tumulong sa mga mahihirap.(Mindanao Examiner)