MANILA, Philippines?Filpino-American Gloria D. Steele has assumed her post as director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the Philippines.

This was announced Friday by the US Embassy in Manila, which also said the USAID would focus on programs focusing on reducing poverty in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

Under Steele, the USAID would also push for the promotion of good governance, increasing economic opportunities, protecting the environment, strengthening health services, and improving basic education, according to the US diplomatic mission.

Since 1961, USAID has provided more than $6 billion in development aid to the Philippines.

?This assistance has helped to develop the country?s infrastructure, provide training and technical assistance, increase agricultural productivity and economic growth, promote sustainable environmental management, improve health and nutrition, and foster democracy and decentralization,? said the US embassy.

Prior to her Manila posting, Steele headed the Bureau for Global Health at the USAID headquarters in Washington, DC.

Earlier, she served as senior deputy assistant administrator for the agency?s Bureau for Europe and Eurasia.

Steele holds a Masters degree in agricultural economics from Kansas University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Maryknoll College in Quezon City.