‘Nothing final yet on MCC grant for Phl’

There is no decision yet on whether the Philippines would be eligible to receive $433 million worth of grants from the United States next year, the Millennium Chal- lenge Corp. (MCC) clarified yesterday. In an e-mailed statement to

The STAR, MCC press secretary Laura Allen said the MCC board of directors has not yet decided on the eligibility of the Philippines for the second MCC compact next year.

“The Philippines is a Candidate Country for Fiscal Year 2018 given its income level. However, it is important to note that being a Candidate Country does not necessarily mean a country is eligible for MCC assistance,” Allen said.

“The MCC Board of Directors has not made a decision on the Philippines’ eligibility for a second compact. The country’s eligibility status has not changed,” she added.

The MCC earlier this week posted its annual Candidate Country report which include the list of countries that are not prohibited by American law from receiving assistance from the US.

However, Allen noted that the list is simply based on income and is not equivalent to an eligibility.

Reports earlier said that the Philippines may lose the grant due to reported violations of human rights and rule of law under the Duterte administration.