Performance Evaluation of USAID/Philippines Growth with Equity in Mindanao III (GEM-3) Program

The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) “Growth with Equity in Mindanao III” (GEM-3) is a five-year (2008 to 2012), $99 million dollar program that operates throughout Mindanao, but is specifically targeted to promote development activities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and other conflict-affected areas of the region. GEM-3’s principal objectives are to: (1) accelerate economic growth in Mindanao; (2) assure that as many people as possible participate in and benefit from the growth; and (3) bring about and consolidate peace in Mindanao. To accomplish these objectives, GEM-3 adopted an “umbrella-type” approach, using one management structure for implementing projects and activities across a wide range of technical fields throughout Mindanao. There are five major and two supporting components under the program: (1) infrastructure development (67% of the budget); (2) workforce preparation (13% of the budget); (3) governance improvement (5% of the budget); (4) business growth (13% of the budget); (5) former combatant reintegration (included in business growth component); (6) communications and public relations; and (7) logistical and operational support (2% of the budget combined).