The United States has committed $250 million, or about ₱14.3 billion, in new health assistance to the Philippines, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced.
The aid package is intended to strengthen the country’s response to tuberculosis (TB), expand maternal and newborn health programs, and improve the Philippines’ ability to detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
The announcement builds on an earlier pledge of ₱3.6 billion made in July after U.S. President Donald J. Trump met with Philippine President Bongbong Marcos at the White House.
According to the U.S. government, this second package is part of a broader realignment of American foreign assistance under a model described as “time-limited and narrowly targeted.”
The Philippines remains one of the countries with the highest TB burdens globally, with thousands of new cases reported each year.
Despite ongoing national programs, many communities face challenges in accessing testing and completing treatment.
The new U.S. funding is expected to expand screening and treatment coverage, aiming to lower TB incidence in both urban and rural areas.
Maternal and newborn health is another area of focus. In many provinces, access to quality prenatal and delivery care remains uneven, with higher maternal mortality rates in underserved regions.
Funds from the package will support improved access to prenatal check-ups, safer childbirth services, and better neonatal care, particularly in communities outside Metro Manila.
Strengthening disease surveillance and response is the third pillar of the program.
The Department of Health has previously identified gaps in early detection and rapid containment of infectious diseases.
Investments from the U.S. will support laboratory upgrades, training of healthcare workers, and improved reporting systems to ensure faster responses to outbreaks.
The Philippine Embassy in Washington welcomed the announcement but has not yet provided details on specific projects.
Coordination between Philippine health agencies and U.S. partners is expected in the coming months to finalize implementation plans.
