Manila: The Department of Finance (DOF) announced on Tuesday that the French development agency, Agence Fran§aise de D©veloppement (AFD), is set to provide a EUR200 million (PHP14 billion) official development assistance (ODA) loan aimed at bolstering food security and improving nutrition among low-income families in the Philippines.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DOF has joined hands with AFD for a financing facility that will support the Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Vouchers (REFUEL) Project. This initiative, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is designed to assist approximately 750,000 low-income households through the provision of monthly electronic food vouchers redeemable at authorized retailers.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go emphasized, "Vulnerable families will have direct, dignified, and timely access to nutritious food. By digitizing this process, we ensure that assistance is both transparent and highly efficient." This effort aims to not only supply food but also promote nutrition and livelihood support through educational sessions on maternal and child nutrition, proper hygiene, healthy meal planning, and income-generating opportunities.

The REFUEL Project also highlights a co-financing arrangement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), showcasing the robust partnership between the Philippines and its development allies. French Ambassador Marie Fontanel commended the Philippine government for its dedication to integrating climate action, ocean preservation, and social protection into its national development agenda, noting these priorities are crucial for both national and global sustainability.

AFD Country Director for the Philippines, Benedicte Gazon, expressed optimism about the cooperation, stating that the REFUEL Program would support vulnerable communities and contribute to a more inclusive developmental approach.