A future worth living for all Filipinos: GIZ works with partners to make it happen
A and lot of good news is happening to more more Filipinos on the ground as the German government, through its development cooperation company, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, continues to work closely with the Philippines, after more than 40 years now, to realize sustainable development.
higher inComes
Farmers’ incomes are rising in the agriculturally challenged Leyte and Panay islands as well as Aurora province and Mindanao, through training on sustainable agriculture, market linkage, and international certification by the German and Philippine governments, and German and European companies. This is also fortifying the Philippines’ food security and enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of its agricultural exports.
Prospects are better for sustained and higher incomes in a record 160 key terrestrial and marine biodiversity areas across the country after 17,000 local stakeholders received German-supported training on arresting biodiversity loss, through biodiversity assessment and monitoring, regulation and law enforcement, and ecotourism and livelihood. In the process, these communities have become more resilient to the disastrous impacts of climate change. Unmanned aerial vehicles or drones are also being introduced in Mindanao for fast and cost-effective biodiversity monitoring in even hard-to-reach areas.
To further expand the income opportunities of Filipinos within their own country, GIZ is strengthening vocational education in the Philippines’ K to 12 program through hands-on training in local companies. Outside the country, Germany is opening its doors to GIZ-prepared Filipino nurses at its health care institutions.
FinanCial seCuriTy
Protection from financial losses including those due to disasters wrought by climate change is likewise no longer just a dream for low-income Filipino households, as GIZ works with insurance regulators and companies to develop financial protection products that low-income households need and can afford.
PeaCe
In Mindanao, even amid armed conflicts, the seeds of peaceful development are being planted as GIZ develops local capacities to negotiate more inclusively and with greater sensitivity to conflict. For example, indigenous peoples are finding their own voice in the peace process as they are given forums for sharing their inputs on the Bangsamoro Basic Law and on the public discourse on federalism with legislators and policymakers.
In addition, in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao that are also among the poorest in the country, systems are now in place to nurture the success of the next generation of Filipinos through health and hygiene promotion in primary schools. GIZ supports the national government in its efforts to mainstream this approach throughout the country.
beTTer qualiTy oF liFe
Besides increasing incomes, Germany is laying the groundwork for improved living standards for Filipinos. GIZ is supporting government infrastructure planning and fund sourcing to create more livable cities for all. It is also supporting strategic planning and development of technical standards for the Philippine government’s public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program, and sharing with the country’s energy policymakers and regulators Germany’s best practices in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy both for energy security and to enable the Philippines to join the global community of nations in reducing climate change.
For more information, visit our official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ GIZPhilippines or email jule.tulach@giz.de.