Canada Announces Support for Local Economic Development in the Philippines

Canada announced measures to support local economic development in communities across the Philippines. The Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development project supports the Department of the Interior and Local Government in working with other national government agencies, as well as local governments, to streamline policies and make it easier to do business. The program also works with a number of communities to improve conditions for local economic development by improving corporate management practices and using market-oriented approaches. The Government of Canada is providing $18 million to the project, which draws on Canadian expertise to support the development of the program. The Canadian Urban Institute and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges are working with the Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government to assist four Local Economic Development champions, comprising one province, three cities and 23 municipalities, to serve as models to be promoted and replicated throughout the Philippines.