THE CANADIAN government will donate P757 million to the Philippines for the implementation of education and health programs.

The projects aim to empower women and children and improve the lives of vulnerable Mindanao communities.

“Canada stands together in solidarity with the Filipino people in the face of unprecedented challenges resulting from the Covid19 pandemic, including the negative physical, mental, social and economic effects many are experiencing each day,” Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter MacArthur said.

He said that the programs will “mitigate the effects of the pandemic and jump-start the economic recovery of those who have been adversely affected by this global crisis.”

The donation will go towards education projects run by Save the Children in collaboration with the Department of Education in the cities of Parañaque and Taguig, and the municipality of Pateros.

It also covers education programs by Big Bad Boo Studios, Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia, in collaboration with the Bangsamoro Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, to reach children in grades 4 to 6 in Muslim Mindanao’s Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

The donation will also fund health projects that will benefit over 54,000 women and girls in Metro Manila and other provinces.