USAID praises Zambo mayor

THE UNITED States Agency for International Development (USAID) praised Mayor Beng Climaco for her continued collaboration on its various projects and programs here and even cited her “visionary leadership” that resulted in many accomplishments.

“We are confident that our continued collaboration, building from what we already have in Zamboanga, and the visionary leadership of Mayor Beng and all of our key partners in the city, we will surpass all of our previous accomplishments,” said USAID/Philippines Office of Education Chief Dr. Thomas LeBlanc.

LeBlanc led the launching here of a new project that will support the education, employment, and livelihood needs of at least 180,000 out-of-school youth across the Philippines.

The program launch featured Climaco and other Filipino government officials and over 30 key local agencies that participated in the virtual event, including other regional agencies, the academe, training institutions, local entrepreneurs, business associations, and youth groups.

Climaco thanked Washington and USAID, and the American people for the continued support and various programs and projects that largely benefit the people of Zamboanga. “I am very, very eager and excited (with the project) as we give our young people an opportunity to be transformed. Let the transformation begin,” she said, expressing elation over the Opportunity 2.0 project.

The five-year, P1.9 billion ($35.5 million) Opportunity 2.0: Second-Chance Opportunities for Out-of-School Youth program will work with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to augment their on-going programs and provide relevant education, employability skills, and work experience. These include the DepEd’s enhanced Alternative Learning System and TESDA’s skills training programs.

And LeBlanc said the Opportunity 2.0 has prepared an initial package of interventions for Zamboanga City, such as a youth grants program that will support local-led innovations and initiatives that help the youth access learning and earning programs during the coronavirus pandemic.

The program also will continue its support to the Zamboanga City Youth Network civic engagement activities, and the post-training activities for the youth accessing TESDA Online Programs (TOPS). USAID has previously reached almost 4,000 youth in Zamboanga, and a total of 25,000 out-of-school youth in Mindanao. This resulted to at least 6,000 of youth having new or improved employment.

LeBlanc also highlighted that partnership is the key element in the youth’s journey of transformation. “The partnerships we have built with local governments, DepEd, TESDA, other national agencies, local businesses, non-governmental organizations, schools, and the youth themselves – under the banner of the Youth Development Alliance – have led to some amazing results,” he said.

He said USAID will work with local governments in 12 cities across the country to set up Youth Development Alliances that mobilize resources to help their out-of-school youth. The program will also work with over 2,200 employers and at least 50 education or training institutions, including major hubs like Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Davao.

The program is implemented by the U.S.-based Education Development Center with partners Accenture, Philippine Business for Education, Catholic Relief Services, Voluntary Services Overseas, and SEAMEO-Innotech. (Zamboanga Post)

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