LIKE UST, the state-funded University of the Philippines (UP) and Ateneo de Manila University are set to feel the pinch of US President Donald Trump’s funding freeze on the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Documents showed that at least two active USAID-backed projects are being implemented by the Jesuit-run Ateneo and UP’s Public Administration Research and Extension Services Foundation Inc.
Both projects face discontinuation as Trump ordered a 90-day funding freeze on Jan. 20 as part of a “comprehensive review,” a move with far-reaching consequences considering USAID’s role as the world’s leading humanitarian donor.
Ateneo’s project, “Political Participation for Greater Electoral Integrity” (Participate), was placed on hold following the order. The project was given $4 million in funding and was set to be implemented until September 2025, months after the Philippine midterm elections.
Participate aims to build “capacity for civil society oversight of elections, supports the improvement of voter registration and turn out–particularly among youth, and enhances voter registration.”
Von Consigna, Participate’s advocacy and communications officer, told the Varsitarian that the freeze order not only disrupted operations but also affected employment within the project.
“It effectively puts every USAID-funded project to a halt. This means that all ongoing projects, whatever phase they are in, will be shelved,” Consigna said. “Trump’s order also essentially put thousands of people out of work. Likewise, all beneficiaries of the projects will be affected.”
Participate is a nationwide project focused on engaging civil society, government, and political leaders to support the historic first election in the newly formed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.
“The funding will be completely [frozen] as well, meaning all budgetary commitments will have to be withdrawn and not a single cent can be spent anymore on future activities. Salaries of USAID’s and USAID-funded projects’ employees will also be [frozen], which is what happened in our project.”
UP’s “Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development” (Respond) is also among the Philippine projects potentially affected by the USAID funding freeze.
Respond, another nationwide project, received $16 million in funding and was set to be implemented by the UP foundation until April 2027.
It “seeks to improve regulatory quality in the Philippines that will lead to enhanced competitiveness, and ultimately, contributes to higher levels of investment and trade, inclusive growth and self-reliance.”
The Varsitarian reached out to Maria Fe Mendoza, president of the UP foundation, but she declined to comment.
In UST, the research projects affected by the USAID funding freeze include the “US-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning” (UPSKILL) project, which received $30 million in funding and was initially set to be implemented until July 2028.
Also at risk is the “Siquijor Island Conservation and Restoration: Toward a Regenerative Ecotourism Destination” action research project of the UST Research and Endowment Foundation Inc.
USAID and the Gerry Roxas Foundation granted P16.5 million to the project under the “Investing in Sustainable Partnerships for Inclusive Growth and Regenerative Ecosystems” or Inspire program.
READ MORE: At least 2 UST projects in limbo after Trump, Musk pull plug on USAID
USAID is one of the largest donors for health services, disaster relief, anti-poverty efforts, and other programs, having spent $38 billion in assistance in 2023. Since its establishment in 1961, it has provided funding for war relief, vaccination efforts, and HIV prevention, among others.
Consigna underscored the vast implications of Trump’s sweeping directive.
“Outside the universities, Trump’s directive will also stop essential services provided by several NGOs, such as information campaigns, projects being held for specific communities, and health-related services (as there are many) such as sexual health services, tuberculosis healthcare, and those in service for poor and/or remote communities,” he said.
