Washington: The Trump administration is allocating approximately PHP14 billion (USD250 million) in new foreign assistance to help the Philippines address its 'acute public health challenges,' the US Department of State announced Friday. 'Through this assistance, our governments will work together on tuberculosis and maternal health while investing in preparedness, detection, and response capabilities to reduce the threat of emerging diseases and protect our homelands,' said State Secretary Marco Rubio.

According to Philippines News Agency, this planned funding, subject to US Congress approval, is on top of the approximately PHP3 billion (USD63 million) in foreign assistance Rubio earlier announced for the Philippines in July. The PHP3 billion aid was earmarked during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr's official visit to Washington DC in July and is primarily intended to boost the Philippines' economic resilience and the Luzon Economic Corridor.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez described the new aid as 'another clear manifestation of the deep alliance' of the two states after the successful meeting between Marcos and President Donald Trump.