Turkey eyeing expansion of Philippines dev't projects

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) Philippines is eyeing expansion of more development projects in the country next year.

This developed after the success of its medical missions in partnership with the local government unit of Manila, the Philippines' capital city, according to a state-run Philippine News Agency.

Rahib Abdullah, project assistant of Turkey's international development cooperation arm TIKA, is responsible for a lot of projects including livelihood assistance and is currently fixing a project with Gawad Kalinga to be implemented this month.

He said the upcoming feeding project, which is in partnership with the Department of Education, would focus on the rehabilitation efforts of conflict-torn Marawi City.

The medical screening project, which is aimed at delivering humanitarian assistance and other health services to Filipinos, was to actually start near Manila as an initial model and at the same time see prospects of replication, said Abdullah.

“That’s what we’re eyeing. Maybe we can replicate the project in other cities, in partnership with the local government unit,” he said.

At least six districts in Manila are being covered by TIKA’s medical mission, which is scheduled to conclude on December 9. In every session, TIKA gives out five wheelchairs, five nebulizers, and five walking sticks free of charge.

The project also provided the appointment of doctors, dentists and necessary technical personnel, including volunteers, as well as needed medical supplies and medicines.

Medical devices were supplied and basic medical tests including ECG, sugar measurement, x-ray imaging, blood pressure measurement and blood group detection were performed free of charge.