MANILA, Philippines — US poverty reduction agency Millennium Challenge Corporation has selected Timor-Leste and The Gambia for grant programs focusing on poverty reduction and policy reform, respectively. The MCC also noted that Timor-Leste has "demonstrated a clear commitment to good governance, investing in its people and economic freedom." "We will withdraw our application for the second cycle, and we will focus instead on the rebuilding of Marawi," Roque said. The previous MCC grant was used for infrastructure. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said in of the possible MCC grant in September that "the major projects we want are infrastructure, just like the $200-million MCC project in Samar."

Source: Philippine Star December 20, 2017 02:26 UTC