THE United States government has activated an amount of approximately P13.8 billion ($250 million) in foreign assistance to the Philippines that will strengthen health systems, improve disease detection and response capabilities, while enhancing maternal- and child-health services in the country-measures that the US Embassy said will make both countries ‘safer, stronger, and more prosperous.’
The new funding raises the total of recently announced US foreign assistance committed to the Philippines to more than P17 billion ($313 million), following an earlier announcement of P3 billion ($63 million) of similar funding to support Philippine energy sector resilience, combat illegal fishing in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea, and deepen private-sector development in the Luzon Economic Corridor.
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, plus other areas important to both countries’ health security. 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,’ said Ambassador MaryKay Carlson. ‘Together, we are building a healthier, more resilient future.’
The embassy’s Foreign Assistance Section will lead the implementation of the said initiatives in priority areas.