Is Bohol Eligible For Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact Status?

  Boholanos still hope for fresh anti-poverty funds just as the country prepares a comprehensive, extensive and systematic funding proposals just as the country became eligible for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact status.

  Bohol poverty alleviation program has been streamlined using cost sharing schemes wherein the provincial government puts up its funds while tapping other funding sources as counterparts. The MCC is one opened option, Bohol Provincial Planning and Development Officer Atty. John Titus Vistal said.   

  Atty. Vistal, like Governor Erico Aumentado and the whole provincial council led by Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera also believe that Bohol stands a big chance of accessing the funds.

  The MCC, according to MCC bigwig John Hewko, is a United States Government corporation designed to work with some of the poorest countries in the world by giving them grants. He added that it is based on the principle that aid is most effective when it reinforces good governance, economic freedom and investments in people. 

  "Its mission is to reduce global poverty through the promotion of sustainable economic growth and fighting corruption," Hewko said.

  Local Government leaders here have proposed grants on the Rice Accelerated Emergency Response for rice sufficiency, innovative livestock dispersals, skills training and job generation and highs school internet connectivity.
    

  Although it may not be ascertained yet if Bohol gets included in the national programmed projects for MCC support, Boholanos have been very positive that any of the proposed local projects get a fiscal boost. 

  At this, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was in Washington days ago revealed that the Philippines has designated former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Dante Canlas as head of the team preparing for the comprehensive proposal to be submitted to the MCC. 

  The President, who sat with MCC President Ambassador John Danilovich at a press briefing at the MCC Headquarters here, said formulating the plan has to follow a consultative process. 

  Thus, she added that providing the MCC with a contact -- the contact person who will be putting all these together would be a major step, as she reasoned why Canlas has to be named.

  The President said the Philippine government is taking no chances in its efforts to satisfy the MCC requirements, as she expressed hope that the government's proposal would meet the standards of the US government corporation.

  She added that the crafting of the proposal would be and extensive and in close consultations with all stakeholders. 

  "With the Philippines' population of some 89 million, reconciling the demands and requirements of the country's population is quite challenging. We are very religious about looking at the checklist all the time, making sure all the expectations of MCC are met," President Arroyo said.