Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has concluded her three-day trip to Manila with high-level meetings with Philippine officials and pledges of support and assistance to key programs of both island nations. Wong announced an increase of fund coming from Australia for its Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Philippines next year worth AUD 89.9 million. That would support programs on shared priorities, including inclusive economic growth, education, training and scholarships, disaster and climate resilience, and peace and stability in Mindanao. The aid is an addition to the AUD 10.95 million commitment, which was made to support the Philippines to establish a new immunization information system and a strengthened laboratory network and surveillance system, addressing disruptions to routine immunization during the pandemic. Wong also announced a package of new maritime cooperation initiatives for the Philippines. That would include technical assistance and capacity building for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); equipment, skills and technology to improve maritime domain awareness and marine protection; assistance to mitigate the environmental impacts of the recent oil spill in Mindoro; and support for women's leadership in maritime security. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Friday highlighted both nations' support for each other to their candidatures in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)—the Philippines from 2027 to 2028 and Australia from 2029 to 2030. "I want to make clear publicly what I said to the Foreign Secretary privately that we are committed, deeply committed, to elevating our relationship with the Philippines to a strategic partnership," she said in her speech on Thursday. "We think that finalizes what is already in practice of our strategic partnership," she added. Wong's high-level meetings from May 16 to 18 included a talk with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo. This came ahead of the celebration of the 77th year of Philippines-Australia diplomatic relations. Wong said it was "a privilege to speak to" Marcos about working to achieve a peaceful, prosperous future for both peoples and for the region. "Stronger, better partnerships ensure better outcomes," she added. Wong and Manalo also agreed as they held a bilateral talk to enhance trade and investment cooperation, including exploring possible cooperation on critical minerals, and to continue exploring opportunities to improve two-way tourism. "Both looked forward to further strengthening people-to-people connections through the Work and Holiday Visa Arrangement being negotiated between the two countries," their joint statement read. Geopolitical alliances and the regional situation were also discussed, including the South China Sea, the Australia-United Kingdom-United States alliance and the ASEAN Centrality. Australia backed the Philippines' fight for the West Philippine Sea, a part of the bigger South China Sea; it assured the Philippines of transparent AUKUS pact; and reaffirmed its support for ASEAN Centrality and outlook. The PCG also received the Australian top diplomat on Thursday at its headquarters in Manila, where Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu discussed with Wong "the opportunities to improve the efficacy of the Philippines and Australia's existing maritime law enforcement cooperation and future training and workshops for PCG personnel."