US announces $60-million aid for Philippine economy, maritime security
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced $60 million in fresh funding to bolster the Philippines' economy and maritime security, as Manila and Washington agreed to expand cooperation and further strengthen their more than seven-decade-old treaty alliance.
Rubio thus announced in a statement Wednesday, two days after he met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was in Washington for a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
It also came on the heels of the new 19% tariff rate for goods from the Philippines, which Trump announced after meeting Marcos at the White House on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
Manila and Washington have yet to reveal details of the trade deal.
The new levies on Philippine goods were just below the 20% demanded by Trump this month and were above the 17% rate set in April when Trump announced sweeping reciprocal tariff rates for its trading partners, including its allies.
"This is the US government's first announcement of new foreign assistance for any country since the Trump administration began its review and realignment of foreign assistance in January," the State Department said in a statement highlighting Washington's commitment to its ties with its oldest treaty ally in Asia.
The funding, amounting to P3 billion in local currency, would reinforce the Philippines' energy, maritime, and economic growth programs, the State Department said.
Rubio, according to the State Department, would seek US Congress approval to allocate Php825 million or $15 million from said amount "to catalyze private sector development in the Luzon Economic Corridor," a US-envisioned growth region in Asia, that intends to increase trade and establish an economic hub in the northern Philippines through major infrastructure and other key projects.
"If approved, this funding will support investments in the areas of transport, logistics, energy, and semiconductors that will help create jobs and drive economic growth in the country," the State Department said.
Ahead of his summit with Trump on July 22, Marcos met with Rubio and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, with the two senior Trump officials reaffirming the US's "ironclad commitment" to its alliance with the Philippines and enhancing economic ties with Manila.
Both Manila and Washington share concerns on China's increasingly assertive behavior in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims nearly in its entirety.
The US has repeatedly said it would come to the Philippines' aid if Filipino forces, ships, or aircraft come under attack anywhere in the South China Sea under a 1951 mutual defense treaty.
Washington has also forged a trilateral bloc with Japan and the Philippines to boost security, economic, and investment engagements. Such alliances would help its two closest Asian allies, which both face similar territorial disputes with China, diversify their trading engagements as a buffer in case the disputes spill into the economic front.
The US is also helping the Philippines shore up its territorial defense, conducting joint military drills and joint sails in the West Philippine Sea and through intelligence-sharing and provision of defense equipment, as the Marcos administration expands its security alliances with "like-minded" military powers. –NB, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
20 minutes ago
- GMA Network
Bam Aquino: Everyone should work for education
'Para sa edukasyon, lahat po tayo kailangan magtulungan.' (For education, everyone should work together.) This was the statement of Senator Bam Aquino on Wednesday when asked by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday if he is already supporting the leadership of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. Estrada posed the question during Wednesday's plenary session after Aquino, in his privilege speech, said that he welcomes Marcos' affirmation during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) that education should remain a top priority for the last three years of the administration. 'On a lighter note, Senator Aquino, you mentioned earlier…na masaya ka at maraming binanggit si Pangulong Marcos tungkol sa education. 'Yan ba ay pagpapatunay na sinusuportahan niyo si Pangulong Marcos?' Estrada asked. (On a lighter note, Senator Aquino, you mentioned you are happy that President Marcos talked a lot about education. Is that proof of support for President Marcos?) Aquino, in response, explained that everyone working together for the sake of education has been his position ever since. 'Kahapon po, I was pleasantly surprised…naka-ready na po 'yung speech ko eh, kaya parang buminggo talaga tayo. Ang rami dito nabanggit po nung Monday. We're very thankful for that,' he added. (Yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised. My speech was ready but it seems that we ticked all the boxes. A lot was mentioned on Monday. We're very thankful for that.) Aquino was recently given the chairmanship of the Senate committee on basic education. He also joined the Senate majority bloc, along with Senator Francis 'Kiko' Pangilinan, after airing their support for the Senate presidency of Francis 'Chiz' Escudero. During his fourth SONA, Marcos vowed aggressive actions to address the learning crisis confronting the Philippine education sector, seeking to create a lasting impact for Filipino students, teachers, and families. The President also committed to building 40,000 additional classrooms before the end of his term as part of a major infrastructure push to solve persistent shortages in public schools across the country. In his privilege speech, Aquino recognized that the issues hounding the country's education system will not be solved easily. He said that the Senate committee on basic education will ensure that the government's promises to improve the quality of education will be kept. 'With the budget increase and the President's pronouncement during the SONA, I'm sure we will find a way to find the funding para magkaroon ng successful implementation ang mga education reforms natin. Itong lahat, kailangan po natin para masolusyonan ang krisis ng ating edukasyon,' the senator said. (With the budget increase and the President's pronouncement during the SONA, I'm sure we will find a way to get the funding to have a successful implementation of our education reforms. We need all of this to solve the crisis in our education system.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 hours ago
- GMA Network
DMW to go after brokers who charge placement fees for OFW jobs in SoKor
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Wednesday it would clamp down on brokers who charge Filipino workers with placement fees in exchange for seasonal contract employment in South Korea. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the practice of such brokers has been become widespread over the last four to five years as some Filipinos clients end up paying exorbitant fees, sometimes repaid via loan arrangements, in the hope of getting the jobs. The agency has worked to stop the practice since it took over the regulation of seasonal worker deployment last year, but noted that some of these brokers continue to operate. "Brokers, some of them Korean nationals, roam free and charge our employed workers or provide loans… So-called loans with additional fees involved in those loans, placement fees. Ang nangyayari, apat or limang buwan nang paglalagi ng seasonal worker. [Ang sahod para sa] tatlong buwan, binabayad doon sa broker, (What happens is that the seasonal worker stays for four to five months. Their salary for three months is paid to the broker)," said Cacdac. "Before we came in, talamak 'yung broker system… That practice has stopped, but that's not to say na walang brokers pa rin," he added. (Before we came in, the broker system was prevalent. That practice has stopped, but that's not to say brokers no longer exist.) Cacdac said that before the DMW intervened, seasonal contract worker deployment to South Korea was carried out through agreements made between Philippine Local Government Units (LGUs) and Korean local government units. The DMW immediately came into the picture following the deaths of six OFWs. Since then, the Philippines has deployed 8,000 workers through DMW offices with one case of an OFW death. "About a year ago, we stepped in and imposed an interim moratorium on the program until we allowed deployment through our offices by processing of the OFWs through the DMW. We look at their contracts, ensure that they are insured medically, and the OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) membership. Thus far, meron tayong isang case ng nasawi over the last year since we handled the program (Thus far, we've had one case of death over the last year since we handled the program). But we are also braced to sign an interagency memorandum circular with the DILG, DFA, and all the relevant agencies about this matter," Cacdac said, referring to the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Foreign Affairs. DMW is handling a total of 25 pending cases against brokers and has assisted the DOJ in filing cases against brokers in Davao and Bulacan. "Mahirap kasi [It's hard because] it's been a practice over the last four or five years. They still think they can roam free, but the most important thing there is we run after them, we crack down on them, and we file cases against them," he said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 hours ago
- GMA Network
Senate to hold hearing on online gambling
Senator Erwin Tulfo announced Wednesday that he will spearhead a Senate investigation into the proliferation of online gambling in the country, as he joined calls in Congress for its total ban. Tulfo, chairman of the Senate games and amusement committee, said that he will invite the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Department of Finance (DOF) to the hearing which may begin early next week. He also said he wants to hear the stance of his fellow senators and other stakeholders regarding online gaming, as some have been pushing for its total prohibition, while others only want its strict regulation. 'But if I can have it my way, kung ako ang tatanungin personally, I want this online gambling stopped. Kung ako po ang masusunod, ora mismo, dapat itigil na ang online gambling because of the fact na masama na po ang nangyayari,' Tulfo said in a press conference. (But if I can have it my way, if I'm asked personally, I want this online gambling stopped. If I am the one to be followed, then we should ban online gambling right now because what is happening right now is bad.) The first-termer senator also expressed disappointment with the congressman who was seen watching e-sabong on his phone while members of the lower chamber were voting for House Speaker during Monday's session. The younger Tulfo said that the congressman should apologize or explain why he was doing such while the House session was ongoing. 'Tapos the Congress should ask for an explanation. Why? Imbes na magtrabaho sila, nagbobotohan sila, serious business 'yung araw na 'yun diba, nagbobotohan ng Speaker. Bakit ka nagsusugal? Number two, bawal naman 'yun. First place, bawal talaga 'yung sugal. Ano explanation? There's no explanation,' Erwin Tulfo said. (Then the Congress should ask for an explanation. Instead of working since that day was a serious business, why were they gambling? Number two, that's not allowed. In the first place, gambling is really not allowed. What's the explanation? There's no explanation.) 'Gambling capital of Asia' In his privilege speech during Wednesday's session, Senator Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri also put on record that he was 'extremely disappointed' that President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. did not mention anything about the ills of online gambling during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 28. 'Shame on you PAGCOR, shame on you operators of online gambling. Kung may isang Pilipino tayong tinutulungan dahil sa kinikita ng bayan dahil sa online gambling, panigurado ako na libo libong Pilipino ang nagdurusa ngayon at lubog sa utang dahil nalulong sa gambling,' he said. (Shame on you PAGCOR, shame on you operators of online gambling. If we're helping one Filipino because of the benefits of online gambling, I'm sure that thousands of Filipinos are suffering now and drowning in debt because they are addicted to it.) To recall, Zubiri filed a bill seeking an outright ban on all forms of online gambling, including digital betting platforms, mobile applications, and websites that allow users to place wagers through electronic devices. He said that the Philippines is now the 'gambling capital of Asia,' besting Macau and Cambodia. Several senators such as Loren Legarda, Raffy Tulfo, Risa Hontiveros, and Francis Pangilinan expressed manifestations of support for the total ban of online gambling during the ongoing plenary session. Flood control Further, Erwin Tulfo also filed a resolution directing the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, into the reported abuse of flood control programs and related projects, in a bid to address the country's flooding problem. In proposed Senate Resolution No. 31, the younger Tulfo emphasized that despite the continuous implementation of flood control projects funded under the General Appropriations Act (GAA), widespread and severe flooding continues to affect many areas. 'Considering the persistent and widespread occurrence of flooding nationwide, despite significant budgetary allocation, there exists a compelling and immediate necessity to develop and execute a comprehensive, integrated flood control master plan,' the resolution read. 'Moreover, it is imperative to assess and determine flood control projects that are inconsistent with the administration's infrastructure priorities, with due regard to the urgency of need, implementation readiness, and the absorptive capacity of DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) and other concerned agencies,' it added. During his fourth SONA, Marcos ordered the DPWH to submit a list of flood control projects in the last three years. The President said there will be a regional monitoring committee that will examine the projects to see their progress and if they exist. "We will publish this list so that the public can see it," Marcos said. "At the same time, there will be an audit and performance review of these projects to check and make sure and to know how your money was spent." "Sa mga susunod na buwan, makakasuhan ang mga lalabas na maysala mula sa imbestigasyon pati na ang kasabwat na kontratista sa buong bansa. Kailangan malaman ng taumbayan and katotohanan, kailangan may managot sa matinding pinsala at katiwalian," the President added. (In the next few months, those found guilty based on the investigation will be charged, as well as their accomplice contractor. The people need to know the truth, someone needs to be held accountable for their consequences and corruption.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News
