A ranking congressman has suggested tapping other countries for aid as the United States (US) issues a halt on the delivery of most of its foreign assistance.

In a statement on Saturday, Jan. 25, Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua recommended that the Philippines consider the European Union (EU), countries from the Middle East, Japan, South Korea, and Australia for foreign aid as he believed that the US might just now be reviewing its program following the return of President Donald Trump.

The US is one of the Philippines' top donors of Official Development Assistance, with around 147.7 million US dollars flowing into the country in 2023.

But Chua warned against seeking assistance from Russia because "One administration ago, the former president tried Russia, but that was unproductive and deeply misguided."

"Unless Russia ends its war with Ukraine, we should just wait until Russia engages better and peacefully," added the chairman of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

Aside from seeking foreign assistance, Chua suggested boosting foreign tourism.

"If there are Americans who want a most hospitable second home, the Philippines should be projected as that second home. We should entice tourists who seek to stay longer and engage in small business," he said.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Saturday said that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) would coordinate with the US government to assess the potential impact of Trump’s temporary suspension of foreign aid.

PCO said the DFA "is closely monitoring reports on the possible freeze of US foreign assistance," and "will work with partners in the US Department of State and the US government to determine how this will affect the Philippines".

Trump, according to a Reuters' report, ordered to halt for three months foreign development assistance while the government was reviewing efficiencies and consistency with his foreign policy.

The US is the world’s biggest donor of international aid, with some 68 billion US dollars obligated in 2023 for 204 countries, according to the official data from the US government.