City has 2 USAID-funded programs
TACLOBAN CITY—The 90-day freeze on all United States-funded programs imposed by President Donald Trump is now affecting projects in Tacloban City.
Tacloban is a beneficiary of two programs funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), namely, Urban Connect and Cities for Enhanced Governance and Engagement (CHANGE), according to City Planning and Development Officer Janis Canta.
“In a way, we are affected by President Trump’s 90-day freeze because we have two ongoing USAID-funded programs,” Canta said in an interview on Wednesday, Feb.19.
Urban Connect focuses on urban development and management, while the CHANGE program aims to strengthen democratic governance by making local government units more responsive, transparent, and accountable with the participation of civil society groups.
Both programs, which began in 2023, are set to run for five years.
Under the Urban Connect program, USAID has assisted Tacloban in crafting its land use plan, tourism development plan, business one-stop shop digitalization, and gender and development initiatives.
Meanwhile, the CHANGE program has provided capacity-building training and helped establish a local people’s council.
Canta, who also acts as the city information officer said, the temporary suspension of these programs has significant consequences for the city’s development and governance.
“Of course, we are saddened and disappointed by this 90-day freeze order because these programs have had a significant impact on Tacloban,” she said.
She added that city officials, led by Mayor Alfred Romualdez, are now in a waiting period, as all USAID-funded programs are under review to determine which align with the new policies of the Trump administration.
“We are in a hanging mode right now,” Canta said. “We will just have to wait until the 90-day period is over and see which programs will continue under the new policy direction.”
Just hours after taking office, President Trump issued the 90-day freeze to evaluate the efficiency of US-funded programs worldwide and ensure they align with his foreign policy.
Canta also revealed that the city government has yet to receive official communication from the US Embassy regarding the status of the programs.
JOEY A. GABIETA
