THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Indian government signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for financial aid towards quick impact projects in local government units.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. and Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu Kumaran signed the MOA on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Under the agreement, the Indian government will provide $50,000 grant assistance for each qualified LGU to finance infrastructure projects ranging from roads, bridges and community centers to school, health and development facilities.
“The idea is we can bring this very quickly, no administrative cost, just goes in straight and we do a very short process that has tangible benefits that can be seen very quickly,’’ said Kumaran, adding that the grant “is purely out of friendship with no other conditions attached.”
Abalos said a committee will be formed for the identification of at least five LGU projects across the country.
“So in my mind right now, I think it is where this help is needed is the poorest and even those geographically isolated places so that they could feel the basic things like water, electricity, even roads at that,” Abalos said.
“Itong bigay na grant na ito ay for quick impact projects, ‘yung mararamdaman kaagad ng mga kababayan natin sa ibaba,” he added.
(The grant given is for quick impact projects, which will be felt immediately by our countrymen below.) (SunStar Philippines)