AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO RURAL COMMUNITIES IN ARGAO, CEBU
Australian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Stephen Scott, together with the leaders of the Mag-uumad Foundation Inc, inspects the harvesting facilities acquired through the assistance of the Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP) during a visit to the Mt Lantoy Integrated Area Development Project-II in Argao Cebu.
The assistance aims to improve the lives of the upland communities of Barangays Lapay and Catang. As well as the harvesting equipment, residents now have access to potable water supply through construction of three water reservoirs and installation of water pipes.
The PACAP project has also helped the communities raise farm productivity output through efficient resource management and preservation of the area’s ecosystem. This involves the implementation of soil and water conservation measures, the use of organic fertilizers and the planting of more than 8,000 seedlings in the area.
“The Australian Government is committed to empowering these communities in their pursuit of economic growth and an improved quality of life,” Mr Scott said.
Since 1986, PACAP has supported about 1,200 small activities benefiting at least 600,000 poor people through partnership with more than 500 civil society and non-profit organisations, primarily Non-Government Organisations and People's Organisations. It is now an integral part of Australia's official bilateral assistance to the Philippines. For more information on PACAP, visit www.pacap.org.ph or contact 631 7549/ 7943.