October 8, 2023
The US government provides more than P450 million ($8 million) additional funding to strengthen the disaster preparedness and response in vulnerable communities in the Philippines.
This was provided through the US agency for International Development.
According to the US Embassy, the additional funding is eyed to enhance the typhoon preparedness and develop resilient livelihood strategies in disaster prone areas such as the Bicol, CARAGA and Eastern Visayas region.
"It will also fund partnerships with the private sector to help ensure the continuity of businesses and other critical services, such as energy and water, after disasters," the embassy reports. — Rosette Adel
October 3, 2023
United States of America President Joe Biden is celebrating the Filipino American History Month.
Biden issues a message dedicated to the Filipino-American community.
"Jill and I are thrilled to celebrate Filipino American History Month, honoring the rich heritage and traditions of millions of Filipino Americans. To our Filipino American community: Thank you for all you do to ensure our nation continues to be the land of opportunity," he says.
September 11, 2023
U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson reports that BRP Valentin Diaz and BRP Ladislao Diwa joined the Philippine Navy fleet to boost the Armed Forces of the Philippines' capabilities to defend the Philippines' rights in the West Philippine Sea.
"The U.S. supported this modernization effort through foreign military financing assistance," she says.
August 7, 2023
U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson shares a photo with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth in her Manila office.
In a tweet, Carlson welcomes Duckworth.
"Looking forward to important discussions with Filipino #FriendsPartnersAllies on our strong bilateral ties and economic cooperation. #PartnersInProsperity," the tweet reads.
Honored to welcome @SenDuckworth to the Philippines! Looking forward to important discussions with Filipino #FriendsPartnersAllies on our strong ???????????????? bilateral ties and economic cooperation. #PartnersInProsperity pic.twitter.com/kFgFYrFKAe
— Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson (@USAmbPH) August 7, 2023
July 7, 2023
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III's reaffirms the United States and Philippines' "commitment to standing shoulder-to-shoulder as allies to bring greater security, prosperity, and stability to the Indo-Pacific region and beyond" in a call with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
During the call, Austin says there are opportunities for the two countries to coordinate more closely with like-minded partners such as Japan and Australia "to ensure the region's shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific continues to thrive."
Austin and Teodory agree to meet in person to discuss the defense and security priorities of the Philippines and U.S.
July 4, 2023
United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson celebrates the Philippine-American Friendship Day.
In a tweet, Carlson expressed hopes that the Philippines and US thriving partnership "would continue to bring strength and prosperity to both our peoples."
"This Philippine-American Friendship Day, we commemorate the deep bond between our nations built on shared values and aspirations," the envoy's tweet reads.
March 22, 2023
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says that they will make a formal announcement on additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites.
"But yes, they have been identified and...before I announce it, we’ll formalize it with our partners in the US," Marcos says.
"It is really to defend our eastern coast pero meron ding element that is there because of our continental shelf, which is on the eastrern side of Luzon. That’s somethign that we have to look out for," he adds. — The STAR/Alexis Romero
February 18, 2023
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. says the recent incident between Philippine and Chinese coast guards at the West Philippine Sea is not enough reason to trigger the Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States.
"Despite the fact that it was a military-grade laser that was pointed at our Coast Guard, I do not think that this is sufficient for it to trigger the [MDT]," he says at a short press conference after attending the homecoming of alumni of the Philippine Military Academy.
February 2, 2023
The Philippines and United States announce plans to "accelerate the full implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the agreement to designate four new Agreed Locations in strategic areas of the country and the substantial completion of the projects in the existing five Agreed Locations."
In a joint statement by the two countries' respective departments on defense, they say that the new EDCA locations "will allow more rapid support for humanitarian and climate-related disasters in the Philippines, and respond to other shared challenges."
Washington has has allocated over $82 million toward infrastructure investments at the existing five sites under the EDCA, they add.
Locations of the new EDCA sites have yet to be identified by the two countries.
January 27, 2023
The United States' Department of Defense says its Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III will depart January 29 for a trip to the Republic of Korea and the Philippines.
"During his visits, he will meet with senior government and military leaders in both countries to advance regional stability and further strengthen the defense partnerships with the United States," it says.
"This trip reaffirms the deep commitment of the United States to work in concert with allies and partners in support of the shared vision of preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific," it adds.
July 22, 2022
MaryKay Carlson, the United States’ new envoy to the Philippines, says she looks forward to working with the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“I am thrilled to be in the Philippines and honored to represent the United States in this important relationship,” Carlson says Friday in a statement.
Carlson was appointed by US President Joe Biden to replace Sung Kim who ended his tour of duty in 2020.
June 6, 2022
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will travel to the Philippines as part of her trip to the region from June 5 to 14.
Sherman will meet with President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss ways to deepen bilateral relations between the Philippines and the United States, the US state department says.
May 23, 2022
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention opens a new country office in manila as part of its commitment to strengthen and expand its cooperation with the Department of Health.
Dr. Romel Lacson will serve as CDC’s first Country Director for the Philippines.
“In this new era, partnership is more essential than ever. We must be willing to take on challenges together and create opportunities together. This is why the launch of this office and our work together is so important,” Lacson says.
May 16, 2022
The US Defense Threat Reduction Agency has concluded its training with the Bureau of Fire Protection on May 13, the US Embassy says Monday.
The two-week training course, which involved more than 100 participants from the Philippines, focused on countering weapons of mass destruction.
"The CWMD Operations course enabled the students to analyze an incident, plan the initial response, and implement defensive actions to include: the selection and use of personal protective equipment, air monitoring and sampling, technical and mass decontamination, victim rescue and recovery, defensive product control, evidence preservation, and illicit laboratory and improvised device awareness," the US Embassy says in a press release.
May 12, 2022
US President Joe Biden has spoken to presumptive president Bongbong Marcos to congratulate him.
"President Biden underscored that he looks forward to working with the President-elect to continue strengthening the U.S.-Philippine Alliance, while expanding bilateral cooperation on a wide range of issues, including the fight against COVID-19, addressing the climate crisis, promoting broad-based economic growth, and respect for human rights," the White House says.
May 12, 2022
Congratulating presumptive president Bongbong Marcos, the United States says it is looking forward to working with the new chief executive to strengthen the alliance between the two countries.
US State Secretary Antony Blinken says Washington will continue to work closely with Manila to "promote respect for human rights and to advance a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific region."
"We commend the millions of Filipino voters who cast their ballots in this election, and we look forward to the official conclusion of the electoral process for the many offices in the national elections," Blinken says.
May 6, 2022
The US Coast Guard, with the Japan Coast Guard, has concluded its vessel boarding operations training with the Philippine Coast Guard to enhance its maritime law enforcement capability.
The training was conducted in Manila Port Area from April 4 to 20, focusing on instructor training for PCG personnel who will lead future courses, the US Embassy says.
“Our Coast Guards’ role in enforcing the rule of law is critical to our countries’ security. I anticipate future cooperation in operations and capacity building with the PCG and USCG,” JCG Capt. Makoto Tamura says.
April 19, 2022
The United States government provides an additional P17.5 million ($350,000) for Typhoon Odette relief, bringing Washington's overall aid to nearly P1.1 billion ($21.54 million).
Through USAID, the additional assistance will provide support to local organizations in assessing the extent of damage to ecosystems and wildlife habitats, enhancing their resilience and recovery, and provide assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, and indigenous peoples whose livelihoods were destroyed by the typhoon, the US Embassy says.
“We will continue to support the Philippines as it recovers from the massive damage to infrastructure, livelihoods, and ecosystems from Typhoon Odette,” USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn says.
April 13, 2022
US Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter will travel from April 12 to 22 to Tokyo, Jakarta, Singapore, Manila and Los Angeles.
"She will also meet with host government officials to discuss topics of mutual interest and underscore bilateral cooperation on a wide range of consular issues," the US state department says.
April 6, 2022
US Peace Corps volunteers have returned to the Philippines to virtually support Filipino host organizations with priority projects as part of its Virtual Service Program.
The American volunteers who will provide virtual technical assistance to the local government of Ivisan in Capiz, Bataan Peninsula State University, and the Philippine Science High School in the next six months, the US Embassy says.
“The US Peace Corps is pleased to support partners in meeting their priority technical assistance needs here in the Philippines, and we plan to continue this unique, highly demanded program even after the pandemic is fully behind us and we have volunteers here in person early next year,” says US Peace Corps Philippines Country Director Jenner Edelman.
March 11, 2022
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn visits Marawi City, Iligan, and Cagayan de Oro to highlight their projects focusing on women and youth empowerment.
Washburn's visit in Mindanao comes in the observance of International Women’s Day and the Philippines’ National Women’s Month.
“In our work in the Philippines and across the world, one of the paramount ways we achieve development is by advancing the rights and expanding opportunities of women and girls,” Washburn says.
March 11, 2022
The United States launches a new P750-million project in the Philippines to address climate vulnerability in the country's cities.
The five-year Climate Resilient Cities project will help Philippine cities adapt to, mitigate, and endure the impacts of climate change by increasing their access to climate financing and tools to build resilience, the US Embassy says.
“We believe that responding to the climate crisis is a shared mission between the U.S. and Philippine governments. We look forward to our collaboration with key stakeholders to ensure that resilience is built into the fabric of cities in the Philippines," US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava says.
January 10, 2022
The United States, through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility, donated a fresh batch of 2.7 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to the Philippines, the embassy in Manila reports in a news release.
The latest delivery is an addition to more than 65 million vaccine doses the COVAX facility has provided to the Philippines, 25 million of which Americans provided.
"Thanks to recent deliveries, the COVAX facility and the United States have exceeded our goal of providing enough doses to vaccinate one-in-five Filipinos," U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava says.
"We will continue to provide more safe and effective life-saving vaccines to our Filipino friends, partners, and allies as we work to end the COVID-19 pandemic together," Variava adds.
A thread of notable updates on the Philippines' bilateral relations with the United States. — Main image from FPRI