Flags of United States and the Philippines (Photo from US Embassy in Manila)
The United States has announced that it will be providing P13.8 billion in foreign assistance to the Philippines intended for strengthening the country's health system.
The US Embassy in Manila said on Friday, Sept. 12, that the assistance aims to help the country in strengthening its health systems, improve disease detection and response capabilities, and enhance maternal and child health services in the country.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also confirmed the new assistance saying "the Trump Administration, working with Congress, plans to allocate $250 million in new assistance to the Philippines to address acute public health challenges."
"Today’s announcement is yet another demonstration of the comprehensive bond between the United States and the Philippines. It also demonstrates the efficient, time-limited, and narrowly targeted approach of this new era of America First foreign assistance," Rubio said.
According to the embassy, the new funding followed the recent announcement of P3 billion ($63 million) in foreign assistance funding to support Philippine energy sector resilience, combat illegal fishing in the South China Sea, and deepen private sector development in the Luzon Economic Corridor.
It raises the total US foreign assistance committed to the country to more than P17 billion ($313 million).
The US commitment to improve health outcomes in the Philippines and the Indo-Pacific region focuses on critical areas of Tuberculosis Control and Prevention, Global Health Security, Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition, and other areas important to both countries’ health security, the embassy said.
The funding supports key initiatives such as supply chain management, data and information systems, and laboratory strengthening.
“This funding underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of the Filipino people and demonstrates our long-term partnership in addressing shared challenges,” US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said. “Together, we are building a healthier, more resilient future.”
The US Embassy Foreign Assistance Section will lead the implementation of the initiatives in priority areas.