Manila, In a major boost to bilateral cooperation, the United States government has announced a new $250 million (₱13.8 billion) assistance package aimed at strengthening the Philippines’ health sector. The initiative, unveiled by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marks a significant expansion of America’s support for public health in the Indo Pacific region.
The funding will target critical areas such as tuberculosis control, maternal and child health, and global health security. It also includes investments in supply chain management, laboratory infrastructure, and data systems to improve disease detection and response capabilities2.
“This assistance underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of the Filipino people,” said U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson.
The announcement builds on a previous $63 million aid package revealed during Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official visit to Washington in July. That earlier funding focused on energy resilience, combating illegal fishing, and developing the Luzon Economic Corridor.
The Philippines is the first country to receive new assistance under the Trump administration’s realigned foreign aid strategy, which emphasizes targeted, time-limited support under the “America First” approach.