PH, US top diplomats agree on resilient supply chains, clean energy


The Philippines and the United States will continue their cooperation on transforming supply chains to be resilient and addressing the climate crisis as they work toward the development of clean energy. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) and DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo (right) (Photos courtesy of DFA/MANILA BULLETIN)

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and his US counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed bilateral matters during their recent meeting.

The secretary also said that the two countries strengthened their commitment to a rules-based approach in resolving issues in the region. 

“Spoke w/ @SecBlinken. Appreciate US commitment to alliance and to PH as equal and sovereign partner in promoting peace, prosperity & international law-based order in the region,” Manalo wrote on Twitter.

“@SecBlinken and I agreed to continue working together on building resilient supply chains, addressing the climate crisis and transitioning to clean energy,” he added.

Last week, Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava said during the US Embassy in Manila’s commemoration of the 246th anniversary of the declaration of US independence that Washington “stands united” with the Philippines in multiple fronts to achieve development under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

She stressed that the US stands ready to work together with the President in ensuring “a prosperous, healthy, and safe future for the peoples of both our nations.” 

This came after the visit to Manila by US Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, husband of US Vice President Kamala Harris.

Washington remains Manila’s strongest and biggest military and economic ally, extending millions of dollars worth of aid and assistance, especially during natural disasters. 

The US is also the Philippines’ seventh biggest provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA), with more than $555 million in 2020. ODAs are concessional financing from multilateral banks and financial institutions primarily targeted for developing countries.