The United States Embassy on Friday said the Philippines was not yet eligible for a new Millennium Challenge Compact, clarifying a report that identified it as a candidate country. “MCC (Millennium Challenge Corp.) recently posted its annual ‘Candidate Country Report’ for Fiscal Year 2018.” Press Attache Molly Koscina said. “The Philippines is a candidate country for FY 2018 given its income level.”Koscina stressed that candidate countries are not necessarily eligible for MCC assistance. The Millennium Challenge Act of 2003 sought to set up a new development assistance system, with countries to be selected based on several indicators. Eligible countries are able to pick their priorities and are allowed to manage the grants.

Source: Manila Times August 18, 2017 16:52 UTC