CANADA has pledged over CAD 76.4 million (P3.21 billion) in new development projects and CAD 1.2 million (P50.4 million) in humanitarian assistance to support the Philippines’ recovery and long-term resilience.
The announcement was made by Canadian Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai during his official visit to Manila on Friday.
Sarai expressed condolences for victims of recent earthquakes in Cebu and Davao, as well as typhoons Tino (Kalmagi) and Uwan (Fung-Wong), commending the Philippines’s evacuation of over one million residents as ‘a commendable capacity and strength.’
He warned that climate change is driving more frequent and severe storms, threatening lives and livelihoods across the region.
The new Canadian funding will target:
Disaster risk reduction and preparedness
Food and water security
Ecosystem protection and biodiversity conservation
Greenhouse gas reduction and energy security
Sexual and reproductive health services
Nutrition programs for children affected by conflict and malnutrition
12 key development projects approved
Canada’s investment will fund 12 new initiatives aligned with Philippine priorities:
Climate Resilient Agri-Food Trade Promotion Support (CRAFTS)-CAD 5M to help women-led SMEs adopt climate-smart technologies and access global markets.
Economic Linkages for Enhanced Value, Trade and Exports (ELEVaTE)-CAD 5M to boost export readiness for 400 SMEs, focusing on women entrepreneurs.
Disaster Resilient and Climate Adaptive Food Systems (DRCAFS)-CAD 9.1M to strengthen food security for 15,000 smallholder farmers in disaster-prone areas.
Building Capacities for Eco-Resilience-CAD 3.1M to restore 125,000 hectares of ecosystems and train 3,500 people in nature-based disaster risk reduction.
Addressing Stunting in the Philippines-CAD 7.1M to improve nutrition for 140,000 mothers and children under five.
Isla Maganda Peace Education Program-CAD 3.1M to deliver peace education to 44,000 children in conflict-affected regions.
Sustainable and Transformative Action to Realize SRHR (STARS)-CAD 7.1M to expand sexual and reproductive health services for women, girls, and LGBTQI+ individuals.
Building Resilience through Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (BRIDGE)-CAD 3.7M to address water stress and promote gender-responsive disaster planning.
Agsama Kape (Together for Coffee)-CAD 9.1M to help Indigenous women coffee farmers adopt climate-smart practices.
Empowering Stewardship in the Coral Triangle-CAD 11.15M to support women-led marine conservation across 65,000 hectares.
Energy is the Key to a Climate Stable Future (Enerkey)-CAD 11M to promote transport electrification and clean energy transition in the Philippines and Indonesia.
Toward Sustainable Energy
Security in Asean-CAD 2M to strengthen regional energy connectivity through the Asean Power Grid.
Aid with accountability
Funds will be delivered through multilateral and bilateral partners, not directly to government agencies, ensuring strict anti-corruption safeguards.
Sarai emphasized Canada’s long-term approach: ‘We look at it from a long-term perspective-building readiness, resilient infrastructure, and crops that can withstand disasters,’ he said, citing Canadian-backed potato varieties that tripled yields for Filipino farmers.
‘Investing in people and processes ensures communities can stand on their own.’
During his Manila visit, Sarai met withEnergy Secretary Sharon Garin, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel, and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
Discussions focused on energy cooperation, food security, and inclusive economic growth.
Canada remains one of the top six donors to the Philippines, having provided over CAD 1 billion in aid over decades. Sarai said stronger partnerships with like-minded nations will help Manila bolster sovereignty and resilience amid regional tensions.