Australia pledged 144 million pesos (USD3 million) to help fight malaria in the Philippines. “Australia supports the efforts of the Philippine Government to eliminate malaria in the Philippines by 2020,” Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said. “Malaria continues to place a significant economic, social and health burden on communities and local government units in the Philippines. This is especially more pronounced in poor remote areas where access to and availability of basic health services is limited.” (“Australia gives P144M anti-malaria fund to RP” - ABS-CBN News, Dec. 22, 2008)