Government sees hike in US aid

MANILA, Philippines - The United States has substantially increased its assistance to the Philippines with an estimated total of $667 million under the proposed FY 2010 US government budget submitted to Congress, according to a report of the Philippine embassy in Washington DC.

President Barack Obama submitted the budget to the US Congress last May 7.

In the proposed budget, an estimated $667 million is to be allocated to the Philippines representing a significant increase from previous years and can be taken as a reflection of the appreciation and value the Obama administration gives to the strategic Philippines-US partnership. 

“At this difficult time of ongoing economic crisis in the US and the intense pressures on the US budget to support domestic recovery efforts, the increase in foreign assistance is a sure sign of continuing US commitment to support peace and development efforts in the Philippines. Our partnership is growing stronger and this has benefited not only our country but also the region,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said as he welcomed the report from Ambassador Willy Gaa.

The embassy report said development assistance, poverty alleviation and defense and military support programs, as well as the Filipino Veterans Equity Fund, will benefit from the increase. – Pia Lee-Brago