The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is determining programs that were affected by the pause in foreign assistance of the United States.
Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, OCD administrator, issued a memorandum order directing Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, OCD deputy director for administration, and Assistant Secretary Cesar Idio, deputy administrator for operations, to identify and assess projects that may be affected by US President Donald Trump’s directive, including changes in funding and policy adjustments.
“The OCD acknowledges and respects the pronouncements made by the current US administration,” Nepomuceno said.
Trump ordered the temporary suspension of all US foreign assistance programs for 90 days pending reviews to determine if they are aligned with his policy goals effective Jan. 20.
Nepomuceno told his second and third in command to recommend ways for the continued implementation of the concerned projects, address challenges, and identify opportunities for optimization.
“The next steps should be immediately outlined to ensure the timely and efficient implementation of each initiative,” the memo stated.
According to reports, a federal judge in the US has challenged Trump’s order, ordering his administration to restore funding for foreign assistance.
The US government has been a long-time partner of the OCD in strengthening the disaster risk reduction and management capabilities of the Philippines, providing the agency with millions of dollars in aid.
During the onslaught of Typhoon Kristine in October 2024, the US government provided P84 million ($1.5 million) to support the national government’s response and augment the efforts of US Agency for International Development (USAID)-Philippines to deliver lifesaving assistance to communities severely affected in the Bicol region and Batangas.
Meanwhile, in September 2024, the USAID donated essential non-food items such as shelter repair kits, kitchen sets, and tarpaulins to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), highlighting the strong partnership between the two countries, which has since evolved into a powerful and effective tool for enhancing resilience.
The USAID and World Food Programme also donated 1,350 family tents to the OCD two months ago for the establishment of a “Tent City” in Himamaylayan City, Negros Occidental that would house displaced residents due to the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.