Manila, July 18, 2025—On July 14, the U.S. Peace Corps in the Philippines welcomed the arrival in Manila of 48 American Volunteers and seven short-term Response Volunteers who will serve alongside Filipino partners to support education, youth development, and natural resource management programs in communities across Luzon and the Visayas.  

The arrival of this latest batch brings the total number of Peace Corps Volunteers currently in the country to 140—the largest cohort serving together in the Philippines since 2020. 

The 48 new Peace Corps Volunteers will serve host communities for two years, co-teaching English in public elementary and secondary schools, facilitating youth development programs in Department of Social Welfare and Development-accredited organizations and residential shelters, and supporting local governments in establishing marine protected areas and strengthening coastal resource management. 

Meanwhile, Response Volunteers will carry out specialized, short-term assignments with government agencies and NGOs, typically lasting 7 to 12 months.  These professionals bring their expertise to support high-impact projects in disaster risk reduction, solid waste management, and education. 

The Volunteers will be assigned in the following provinces: Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Sur, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, and Leyte.  They will undertake 11 weeks of language, technical, and cultural training prior to deployment. 

“I am pleased to welcome our newest Volunteers to the Philippines.  Their joint arrival symbolizes our renewed momentum since the pandemic and reflects our deepening collaboration with local partner institutions and Filipino communities,” said Peace Corps Philippines Country Director Marguerite Roy.  “I look forward to seeing how each Volunteer will build meaningful relationships and contribute to community-led initiatives throughout their service.” 

For his part, Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency Executive Director Donald James Gawe expressed confidence that the new American Volunteers will “continue to serve as builders of hope and catalysts of change.”  “Thank you for choosing the Philippines for your Volunteer work.  I wish you success and trust that your batch will have a meaningful volunteering experience and reach a 100% completion rate,” he said 

Aged between 22 and 67, the newly arrived American Volunteers represent the 282nd batch of Peace Corps Volunteers and 55th batch of Response Volunteers to be deployed upon the invitation of the Philippine government.  Together, they bring diverse experiences, technical skills, and a shared commitment to learn about the Philippines, contribute to locally-led development efforts, and create a positive impact in the lives of Filipinos. 

The Philippines is the second oldest U.S. Peace Corps program in the world.  Since 1961, more than 9,500 Americans have served alongside Filipino community members in support of government and community development priorities. 

Manila, July 11, 2025—U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson joined James Beard Award-winning food content producer Erwan Heussaff and renowned chefs Angelo Comsti and Don Baldosano at a media event on July 8 to showcase the premium quality and versatility of California raisins for Filipino cooking.

California raisins are naturally sun-dried, free of additives, and rich in fiber, antioxidants, and essential minerals. They are a versatile ingredient that enhances savory dishes and adds sweetness to desserts, making them a perfect complement to Filipino cuisine.

“Our shared love for food brings Filipinos and Americans closer together. It’s an honor to be among such talented and passionate culinary champions to celebrate the richness and diversity of Philippine cuisine,” said Ambassador Carlson during the event held at Offbeat Bistro, a newly opened modern-retro Filipino restaurant in Makati City.

Ambassador Carlson joined Mr. Heussaff in preparing “Steak Frites and Potato Pave with California Raisins and Roasted Eggplant Sauce,” pairing the richness of seared steak with a sauce made from talong, or eggplant—a staple in Pinoy households—and elevated by the natural sweetness of California raisins. Mr. Heussaff also presented an appetizer featuring malasugi, the local term for swordfish, complemented by coconut cream and a California raisins tapenade.

“The Filipino flavor profile blends itself very well to California raisins in a sense that we love the mixture of sweet and savory. It’s the perfect match for any type of Filipino dish,” said Mr. Heussaff.

Chef Comsti’s recipe featured a pan-fried bacoco, a local term for sea bream, paired with a kusido-style California raisins sauce inspired by the traditional Filipino stew known for its rich, slow-cooked flavors. For dessert, Chef Baldosano reimagined sorbetes, the iconic Filipino-style ice cream traditionally sold from street carts, using milk and California raisins, accompanied by a crisp milk tuile and bold burnt raisin oil.

In 2024, the Philippines ranked as the fifth-largest global market for California raisin exports, totaling Php522.5 million ($9.5 million). The United States was also the leading exporter of raisins to the Philippines, with an 80 percent market share.

The event was supported by the Raisin Administrative Committee, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila, and the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

White Fish and Coconut Crudo with California Raisin Tapenade by Erwan Heussaff  

Ingredients: 

• Malasugi fish, sliced thin 

Sauce (Leche de Tigre): 

• 1 cup coconut vinegar 
• 1 ½ cup fresh coconut cream 

Raisin “Tapenade”: 

• 1 cup California raisins 
• ½ cup sundried tomatoes 
• 3 tbsp mustard seeds, rehydrated with coconut vinegar 
• 1 lime zest 

Garnish: 

• Shaved egg yolk 
• Annato oil 
• Kinchay/chive oil 
• White baby radish scales 
• Mustard seeds 

Procedure: 

Finely mince sundried tomatoes and California raisins, then mix with lime zest and mustard seeds.  Shape the mixture into quenelles and set aside.  Slice baby radish into medallions and arrange them into a scale pattern of four rows with three medallions each.  Set aside. 

To plate: Lay five slices of fish flat in the center of a wide-bottom bowl and pour the leche de tigre around it.  Place the pre-made scale pattern on top, followed by the quenelle of the tapenade and shaved egg yolk.  Drizzle oil on the sides of the leche de tigre before serving. 

Steak “Frites” and Potato Pave with California Raisins and Roasted Eggplant Sauce by Erwan Heussaff 

Ingredients: 

Sauce: 

• ½ cup California raisins 
• 7 large eggplants, charred with the skin on 
• 1 cup beef broth, heavily reduced 
• 1 tsp toasted peppercorns, crushed 
• 2 tbsp fried capers 
• 4 tbsp softened butter 
• Salt, to taste 

Pave: 

• 2 kg potatoes 
• 2 cups heavy cream 
• ⅓ cup butter 
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed 
• 5 sprigs thyme 

Steak: 

• Salt and pepper, to taste 
• Fried capers 
• Pickled jicama sheets 

Procedure: 

 Sauce: 

1. Burn the eggplants on an open flame until the skin is heavily charred. 
2. While reducing beef stock add California raisins and peppercorns to rehydrate. 
3. Add the eggplants to the reduced stock and blend until smooth. 
4. Add the butter and blend again, seasoning to taste with salt. 

Pave: 

1. Slice the potatoes 1mm–2mm thin using a mandolin and soak them in water. 
2. Combine the cream, California raisins, butter, garlic, and thyme, then bring the mixture to a simmer.  Let it sit for 20 minutes before straining out the solids and setting aside the infused cream. 
3. Layer the potatoes in a high-walled pan, pour the infused cream over them, and bake in the oven with another pan placed on top to weigh them down. 

Steak: 

Season the steak and sear it to the desired doneness. 

Pan-fried Bacoco (Sea Bream) with California Raisins Kusido Sauce and Bulgur Salad by Chef Angelo Comsti 

Ingredients: 

• ½ cup California raisins 
• 1 whole sea bream, filleted (about six pieces) 
• 1½ cups bulgur, cooked 
• 1 large cucumber, diced 
• ½ cup parsley, chopped 
• 1 small red onion, minced 
• ⅓ cup kesong puti, crumbled 
• Salt and pepper, to taste 

Dressing: 

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 
• 1 lemon, juice and zest 
• 1 clove garlic, grated 
• Salt and pepper, to taste 

Sauce: 

• 3 cloves garlic, chopped 
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated 
• 2 shallots, chopped 
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped 
• ½ cup California raisins, puréed with a little water 
• 2 tbsp bagoong 
• 3 cups fish broth, made with sea bream head and bones 
• 2 tbsp calamansi juice 
• Cornstarch slurry 

Procedure: 

1. To make the sauce, sauté the garlic, ginger, and shallots in a pan.  Add the tomatoes and cook until the oil is released.  Stir in the California raisins and bagoong.  Pour in the fish broth and reduce by half.  Add calamansi juice and season to taste.  Use a slurry to thicken the sauce, then strain and set aside. 
2. To make the salad, toss all the ingredients in a bowl.  Prepare the dressing, pour it over the salad, and set aside. 
3. Pan-fry the fish.  On a plate, arrange the salad in the center, top it with the fish, and pour the sauce around.  Serve. 

California Raisins Milk Ice Cream with Milk Tuile and Burnt California Raisin Paste Oil by Chef Don Baldosano 

Ingredients: 

• 300 grams California raisins 
• 330 grams milk 
• 100 grams cream 
• 7 grams agar-agar 
• 110 grams sugar 
• 60 grams butter 
• 10 grams lemon juice 
• 70 grams all-purpose flour 
• 250 ml water 
• Canola oil 

Procedure: 

1. Ice Cream: Combine the milk, cream, agar-agar, 50g sugar, and 50g of California raisins.  Simmer together for 5 minutes, then allow to cool. Once cooled, blend until smooth and transfer to an ice cream machine. Churn and set aside to chill. 
2. Tuile: Combine the remaining sugar, 100g of finely chopped California raisins, butter, and sugar.  Mix thoroughly until well combined, then bake at 170°C for 10–12 minutes. 
3. Jam: Gently toast the California raisins in a pan until slightly charred. Allow to cool, then add water.  Simmer until the water is reduced by one-third.  Blend until smooth to create a purée, then season with lemon juice. 
4. Oil: Slowly simmer the canola oil and the remaining California raisins together until fragrant.  Blend roughly, then strain to extract the oil. 
5. Garnish: Place a base of crumbled tuile on the plate, followed by a scoop of ice cream with a hollow center.  Fill the hollow with jam, arrange shards of tuile around the ice cream, and finish the dish with California raisin oil. 

Manila, June 3, 2025—Sixty content creators from 11 countries in Southeast Asia gained new skills in storytelling, digital safety, and brand development at the “Creators Co-Lab: Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Bootcamp for Digital Creators” held from May 28 to June 1 in Manila. 

Organized by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines in partnership with Out of the Box Media Literacy Initiative, the workshop included in-depth discussions on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, brand development, and intellectual property protection.  Speakers included food content creator “Lumpia Queen” Abi Marquez, journalist Jacque Manabat, and cybersecurity expert Carlos Ely Tiongson. 

The content creators also visited the Manila offices of leading U.S. technology companies, Microsoft and Meta, to learn about emerging tools in social media analytics and community-building.

Collectively, the 60 content creators have a following of over 15 million across various digital platforms.  Ten of the 60 participants are from the Philippines.  Other participants hail from Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam. 

In her remarks at the workshop’s closing ceremony on May 31, U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson recognized the importance of engaging audiences online.  “Social media is no longer a nice-to-have item,” Ambassador Carlson said.  “People of all ages are turning to social media for information.  You have an incredibly powerful platform to inform, educate, and positively influence people in your home countries and around the world.” 

Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, ambassadors and representatives from the embassies of Southeast Asian nations present in the Philippines, and several Filipino social media personalities also attended the closing event. 

In his testimonial, Cambodian content creator Pireach Yin, more popularly known as Coco, praised the bootcamp’s sessions and site visits that boosted the group’s digital creation skills, developed leadership potential, and helped create lasting friendships between Southeast Asian digital creators.  “I hope that the connections we’ve made, the insights we’ve gained, and the inspiration we’ve drawn will stay with us long after this program is over,” he said. 

YSEALI is the U.S. government’s signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking among Southeast Asians aged between 18 and 35.  Since its launch in 2013, YSEALI has developed the capabilities of Southeast Asian youth to promote civic engagement, protect natural resources, and stimulate entrepreneurship through U.S. educational and cultural exchanges, small grants competitions, and regional workshops like the YSEALI Creators Co-Lab.  

All participants of the YSEALI Creators Co-Lab will become members of the nearly 7,000-person strong YSEALI alumni network and of the U.S. government exchange alumni network, which counts more than 2.2 million members worldwide, including several heads of state and Nobel Prize laureates. 

For more information about YSEALI programs, visit www.yseali.state.gov.  

Manila, May 23, 2025—The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines is hosting a Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) regional workshop in Manila from May 28 to June 1.  The event will bring together 60 young content creators from across Southeast Asia to help them build new connections and strengthen their digital storytelling skills. 

The “Creators Co-Lab: YSEALI Bootcamp for Digital Creators” will cover key topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, brand development, and intellectual property. 

They will learn from notable social media mentors including journalist Jacque Manabat.  The participants will also visit the Manila offices of leading U.S. tech companies such as Microsoft and Meta. 

“We are thrilled to support Southeast Asia’s vibrant community of content creators,” U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said.  “These digital innovators are revolutionizing how we stay informed and connected.” 

“You are not just creating content,” Manabat told the participants during the virtual orientation session on April 6.  “You are bridging connections.  Your story and creativity matter.” 

The participating creators collectively have a total of 15 million followers across multiple platforms.  Ten of the 60 participants are from the Philippines. 

YSEALI is the U.S. government’s signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking among Southeast Asians under the age of 35.  Since its launch in 2013, YSEALI has been developing the capabilities of Southeast Asian youth to promote civic engagement, environmental and natural resource management, education, economic development, and good governance through a variety of programs, including U.S. educational and cultural exchanges, regional exchanges, and seed funding.   

All participants of the workshop will become members of the U.S. government and YSEALI exchange program alumni networks that will open them to unique opportunities, including grants and networking. 

The “Creators Co-Lab: YSEALI Bootcamp for Digital Creators” is implemented by the Out of the Box Media Literacy Initiative through funding from the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, in partnership with the U.S. Mission to ASEAN.

Manila, December 17, 2024—From December 2 to 6, the United States Peace Corps, in collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), hosted its second workshop on Marine Protected Area (MPA) management in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.  The event brought together 23 Peace Corps Volunteers, 47 local government partners, and 12 fisherfolk leaders from 24 communities across the Philippines to learn new strategies on marine protection.

The Philippines’ rich marine biodiversity faces a number of critical threats.  To address this challenge, the workshop provided a platform for participants to exchange best practices in MPA management, explore strategies for managing interconnected MPAs, and to learn about biodiversity monitoring and assessment.  Participants also learned practical approaches to managing fisheries, new tools for studying marine life, and strategies for promoting a sustainable marine resource economy—methods designed to balance marine conservation with economic growth in coastal communities.

“Through this workshop, we have brought local communities together to build relationships and promote knowledge exchange needed to protect their marine resources and promote sustainable growth.  By working together, we can build a brighter future for our oceans,” said Matthew Tully, Peace Corps Director for Program and Training.

This workshop also highlighted local success stories on MPA management, including Oriental Mindoro’s “STAR MPA Awards,” which celebrate community efforts in marine conservation.  Puerto Galera showcased its environmental initiatives, emphasizing how a well-managed marine ecosystem can support livelihoods and boost the local economy.  Field visits to marine and mangrove conservation areas in Oriental Mindoro also provided participants with valuable hands-on learning experiences.

“The United States counts the Philippines among its closest friends, partners, and allies, and that cooperation is very apparent in this workshop.  I wish the participants the best of luck and utmost success in pushing forward these marine protection efforts in their respective communities,” said Ryder Rogers, Director of USAID’s Environment Office.

The Peace Corps is the U.S. government’s premier volunteer organization and has supported Filipino communities across the country for more than 60 years.  Since 1961, over 9,300 Peace Corps Volunteers have worked alongside Filipino communities to support sustainable development and create lasting impacts nationwide.

U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson
Remarks at the Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea
“Peace and Stability in the South China Sea: The Stakes of the International Community” Panel
November 8, 2024

(As prepared)

Good morning! Many thanks to the Philippine National Security Council, the Philippine Coast Guard, and Pacific Forum for organizing this important event. And thank you to Ambassador Romualdez for opening the discussion. I’m honored to join this panel with Dindo and my colleagues.

The United States, the Philippines, and our likeminded partners share a common vision for a free, open, prosperous, connected, and resilient Indo-Pacific region. Standing up for the rules-based order in the South China Sea is an integral part of advancing this shared vision. This is why the United States has been unequivocal in supporting the historic 2016 Arbitral Tribunal decision, a milestone that affirmed the rights of the Philippines in the South China Sea as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Philippines and the United States are not alone – many nations have expressed support for the 2016 ruling, which, as set out in the text of the Convention, is final and legally binding on both the Philippines and the PRC. This is in part because of the implication of the ruling for the international community. By firmly rejecting the PRC’s expansive maritime claims and affirming the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea, the Tribunal showed that international law is more than just a concept and that it applies to all countries regardless of their relative economic or military power. The great Philippine diplomat and statesman, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario, characterized it best. International law, he said, “allows the weak to challenge the powerful on an equal footing, confident in the conviction that principles trump power; that law triumphs over force; and that right prevails over might.”

The PRC has taken the opposite approach – “might makes right” – giving preference to big nations over small ones, as if this concept should be taken as “just a fact of life.” Despite the indisputable fact that the decision is final and legally binding on the parties to the dispute, the PRC continually rejects the tribunal’s ruling in its rhetoric and actions that clearly violate international law. The world has witnessed the PRC’s increasingly dangerous and escalatory actions over the past 18 months, as it unlawfully asserted a claim to territorial sovereignty over vast areas of ocean space, violently interfering with the Philippines’ high seas freedom of navigation in the waters, especially near Second Thomas Shoal, known here in the Philippines as Ayungin.

The PRC’s target is not only the Philippines, but also the lawful sovereign rights and jurisdiction over natural resources of Vietnam, Indonesia, and other ASEAN coastal states. Use of water cannons, ramming, and other aggressive actions demonstrate a disregard for lives and livelihoods. This further demonstrates that the PRC is unwilling to abide by international law – which rejects the PRC’s expansive maritime claims and supports the sovereign rights of the ASEAN South China Sea coastal States.

Upholding international law in the South China Sea – in addition to being the right thing to do from a legal standpoint – supports global prosperity. The Arbitral award affirmed that in vast maritime areas of the South China Sea, all nations enjoy freedom of navigation and overflight under international law, providing the legal foundation for trade, investment, and economic activity to thrive in the Indo-Pacific region. The South China Sea has some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, through which approximately one-third of the global economy runs. Total annual trade flowing through the South China Sea is estimated to be nearly $4 trillion U.S. dollars. It is also home to abundant biodiversity, and accounts for 12 percent of the global fish catch, generating $100 billion annually and supporting the livelihoods and critical dietary needs of millions. Zooming out, the Indo-Pacific region accounts for 60 percent of global GDP and two-thirds of global economic growth. Respect for freedom of the seas in the South China Sea is essential for this robust economic activity to continue.

I’m honored to sit with fellow representatives of countries who have made clear their support for the Philippines, the continued efficacy of international law, and for a free and open Indo-Pacific. We are far from alone. More and more nations – from East Asia to Western Europe – have spoken out to support the Philippines, uphold international law, and urge the PRC to cease escalatory and dangerous actions that impede the exercise of freedom of navigation and overflight from which all nations benefit. We are proud to be among the chorus of nations that have consistently lent their voices to supporting the Philippines and calling out unlawful and escalatory behavior. The collective voice of the international community is loud and getting louder, and it speaks to our common resolve in support of international law and the standards that benefit us all. We saw this common resolve in action this past September, when over 20 countries gathered on the margins of the UN General Assembly for a Ministerial discussion on maritime safety and security in the Asia-Pacific.

This panel carries the subtitle “the stakes of the international community.” It is clear: the stakes and the consequences are high. But together, as “friends, partners, and allies,” with international law on our side, we are determined to protect the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.

Thank you. Maraming, maraming salamat po.

Remarks at the Stratbase Forum on the 8th Year of the Arbitral Victory

Friday, July 12, 2024

(As prepared)

Magandang umaga!  Good morning!  Thank you to Stratbase, a valued partner of the U.S. Embassy, for inviting me to speak – and to this distinguished group for coming together to commemorate the eight-year anniversary of the Philippines’ victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

The significance of the July 12, 2016, Arbitral ruling extends well beyond the Philippines.  It stands as a milestone for all who seek a prosperous, inclusive, and secure Indo‑Pacific and who undertake to uphold the rule of law around the world.

While discussions about the Arbitral decision, which ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines, often emphasize its crucial impact on security (as former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario put it, “the equalizing power of international law”), today I would like to highlight its contributions to global prosperity, another crucial contribution of the ruling.

The Arbitral award was a milestone in setting out the legal rights and lawful maritime entitlements of the Philippines and the PRC in the South China Sea, clarifying extensive maritime areas where the Philippines enjoys sovereign rights and jurisdiction over natural resources in its exclusive economic zone and on its continental shelf.  At the same time, it memorialized vast maritime areas where all nations enjoy freedom of navigation and overflight under international law, providing the legal foundation for trade, investment, and economic activity to thrive in the Indo-Pacific region.

The South China Sea is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, facilitating over three trillion U.S. dollars in annual trade.  It is also home to abundant biodiversity and accounts for 12 percent of the global fish catch, supporting the livelihoods of millions.  So the stakes and the impact are high.

The Indo-Pacific region accounts for 60 percent of global GDP and two-thirds of global economic growth.  U.S. companies continue to be the top source of foreign direct investment in the Indo-Pacific with nearly one trillion dollars in U.S. investments; and trade between the United States and the region exceeded two trillion dollars.  A trusted international legal framework is essential for this robust economic activity to continue.

The United States is committed to expanding trade and investment between our two countries to strengthen both our economies.  The United States is already the Philippines’ largest export market.  American companies are among the Philippines’ largest and oldest investors, private employers, and taxpayers.  Our commercial ties have created hundreds of thousands of Filipino jobs.

In the first half of this year, we have reached new heights in reaffirming the United States’s steadfast commitment to the U.S.-Philippine economic relationship.  Following their historic Trilateral Leaders’ Summit, President Biden, President Marcos, and Prime Minister Kishida jointly announced the Luzon Economic Corridor, part of the PGI IPEF Investment Accelerator, that will promote port, rail, and digital infrastructure projects in the Philippines.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo led a first-of-its-kind Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to Manila, highlighting more than one billion dollars in combined investments that promote the Philippines’ innovation economy, clean energy transition, and supply chain resilience.  In May, we and the Philippines co-hosted the sixth Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Manila.  President Marcos became the first head of state to address the Forum, and over 700 senior executives, officials, and journalists from across the region attended, launching 20 million dollars in new U.S. economic programs, and celebrating over five billion dollars in new U.S. investment in the region.

Secretary Blinken highlighted partnerships in the semiconductor sector during his visit in March, and Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) CEO Alice Albright’s visit this year jumpstarted development of a new Philippine MCC Threshold Program.

All the engagements and plans above depend on stable legal structures and international norms, including with regard to the Law of the Sea.  The Philippines has the right to fully leverage its resources on land and at sea in pursuit of economic growth.  With the 2016 Arbitral ruling, the Philippines secured a final and legally binding decision that validates the country’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, including around Second Thomas Shoal.

As we have often heard President Marcos say, economic security is national security.  For the past eight years, the Arbitral award has been a lynchpin in the Philippines’ national security vision for a peaceful and prosperous archipelagic nation – one that the United States steadfastly supports.

The United States is proud to stand with the Philippines as we work together to bolster our 73-year-old alliance.  Described as “ironclad” and “on hyperdrive,” our alliance grows stronger by the day through 500 joint exercises and other engagements every year.  We have deliberately and decisively built up the connective tissue of the Alliance over decades, exercising it frequently, keeping it fit and stronger than ever.  As Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Indo‑Pacific Ely Ratner said just yesterday during public remarks in Washington, and I quote, “We have elevated the U.S.-Philippines alliance to stand among our most vital defense partnerships in the world.”

I could offer many examples over the past year alone to demonstrate ways in which the United States and the Philippines have routinely operationalized our commitments – supporting capacity-building programs to enhance maritime domain awareness and improving the ability of civilian and military vessels to routinely fly, sail, and operate anywhere that international law allows.

One cornerstone of our ironclad alliance is the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, or EDCA, that enables Filipino and American forces to train together more closely, to modernize, and to respond to shared threats, including natural disasters.  To date through EDCA, we have invested about 120 million dollars, or seven billion pesos, to repair runways, build disaster response warehouses, and improve critical infrastructure.  These investments also spur economic growth and opportunity in local communities.

We have expanded networks of support for the Philippines and a free and open Indo-Pacific.  The United States, the Philippines, Japan, Australia, Canada, and France have engaged in a series of multilateral maritime cooperative activities in an unprecedented show of solidarity.  Sailing together sends a clear message:  that we are all committed to upholding freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law.  We are also encouraged by the opportunities enabled by the reciprocal access agreement announced this week between Japan and the Philippines.  To quote ASD Ratner again, “The future we’re striving for is one with greater interoperability and cooperation among likeminded Indo-Pacific partners, and this means enhanced reciprocal access, more participation in larger and more complex regional exercises, greater investment together in advanced capabilities – and the Philippines stands at an intersection of all of that.”

With the backing of an increasingly interconnected latticework of alliances and partnerships, the United States continues to urge the PRC to cease escalatory and dangerous harassment of Philippine vessels lawfully operating in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone; to stop infringing on the Philippines’ rights to explore, conserve, and manage natural resources; and to cease interfering with freedom of navigation and overflight of all states lawfully operating in the region.  Secretary of State Blinken reasserted our call on the PRC to abide by the 2016 ruling in a statement just this morning.  We applaud President Marcos and the Government of the Philippines for defending the well-being of its servicemembers on the BRP Sierra Madre.  It was my honor at WESCOM on Wednesday this week to meet with Admiral Torres and his team and to address the crew of LS57 via video conference to thank them for the important role they play in defending Philippine rights – and by extension, the rights of all of us – under international law.

We are proud to be among the chorus of nations that have consistently lent their voices to calling out incidents of aggression.  The volume of condemnation from the international community is loud and getting louder, and it speaks to our common resolve in support of the international rules and norms that benefit us all.

I want to thank Stratbase and Dindo again for inviting me to speak to you today.  I am confident the efforts we undertake together will continue to strengthen the U.S.‑Philippine relationship as friends, partners, and allies.

Manila, May 15, 2024—On May 13, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) launched a new fellowship program for Philippine academic officials that will equip them to develop innovative and high-impact programs in higher education.    

The Higher Education Innovation Leaders Fellowship Program, part of USAID’s five-year, Php1.6-billion ($30 million) United States-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Life-long Learning (UPSKILL) initiative, will bring together 16 senior academic officials from across the Philippines for an 8-month learning experience that will empower them to drive innovation within their organizations.  
“This fellowship program represents our investment in developing leaders who will inspire change and strengthen the country’s higher education sector through innovation and collaboration,” USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn said during the launch.

The fellows will engage in learning sessions covering global trends in higher education, driving organizational reforms, and crafting innovative solutions to enhance the impact of higher education programs.  The highlight of the program is a week-long immersion at Arizona State University, ranked as one of the most innovative universities in the United States.  

“These fellows will be bringing contributions and cultivating advocacies of transformation through the fellowship program. I look forward to seeing (them) working collectively toward a goal of a strengthened higher education system leading to inclusive growth in the Philippines,” CHED Chairman Dr. J. Prospero De Vera III said.  

During the launch, USAID and CHED also signed a memorandum of understanding that formalizes the areas of collaboration between the United States and the Philippines under USAID’s UPSKILL program.   Through UPSKILL, USAID will provide technical assistance in crafting the Philippines’ Higher Education Sectoral Development Plan and implementing the Philippine Qualifications Framework.  USAID will also support the development of CHED’s One-Touch Management Information System, a unified platform that will help streamline access to essential services and data visualizations for CHED and its stakeholders.  

USAID supports the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen its educational system.  Since 2012, USAID has invested more than Php3 billion ($60 million) to improve Philippine higher education.  

(From left) Department of Interior and Local Government-Cordillera Administrative Region Assistant Regional Director Ruperto Maribbay, Jr., University of the Philippines Public Administration Foundation President Dr. Maria Fe Mendoza, Philippine Nickel Industry Association Chairperson Antonio Co, Anti-Red Tape Authority Director General Secretary Ernesto Perez, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks, Department of Finance Undersecretary Karlo Adriano, Board of Investments Executive Director Corazon Dichosa, and Chamber of Mines of the Philippines Executive Director Ronald Recidoro.

Baguio City, November 17, 2023—On November 16, the University of the Philippines Public Administration Foundation (UPPAF), in collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Commercial Service, and five Philippine government agencies formalized a partnership to operationalize a U.S.-funded Php280 million ($5 million) technical assistance program to develop the Philippines’ critical minerals sector.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Partnership for Sustainable Development and Investment in Mineral Extraction and Processing was signed at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Baguio City by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director General Secretary Ernesto Perez, officials from the Department of Finance, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, and Dr. Enrico Basilio, Chief of Party of USAID’s Regulatory Reform Support Program for National Development (RESPOND) Project.

The comprehensive program will support the Philippine government’s goal to become a major global value chain player in the clean energy sector by maximizing the country’s mineral potential and increasing value addition through minerals processing.  It includes technical support for streamlining permitting processes, advancing policy reforms, improving minimum governance standards, and helping facilitate investments in minerals processing and other downstream industries.

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines and the Philippine Nickel Industry Association also signed the MoU to symbolize the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector.

USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks and Dr. Maria Fe Mendoza, president of UPPAF—USAID’s implementing partner for the RESPOND Project and facilitator of the technical assistance program—witnessed the signing.

The launch of this partnership follows the meeting of President Joseph Biden and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Washington last May where the two leaders announced that the U.S. government, through USAID, will invest an additional Php280 million ($5 million) to support increased production of processed minerals and expand downstream mineral industries in the Philippines, such as the production of electric vehicle components and information and communications technologies equipment, while improving governance standards in the mining industry.

“We need to understand that what we do in the air, land, and sea environment really affects what we are able to achieve in this country,” DENR Secretary Yulo-Loyzaga said.  “This agreement manifests as well the kind of nexus governance that is needed in order to make best use of these resources that we have in terms of the minerals industry for the development of our country in an inclusive, resilient, and green and blue pathway.”

For his part, ARTA Director General Perez affirmed his agency’s commitment to working with partners such as USAID.  “We believe that by streamlining government processes, making regulations on mining fit-for-purpose, and ensuring the preservation of the environment while helping industry progress from the national down to the local level, we are helping our nation, particularly local communities grow and become centers of growth and development.”

“The U.S. government supports the Philippines’ aspiration to become a hub for minerals processing and the production of renewable energy systems, e-vehicles, and battery components,” USAID Deputy Mission Director Eubanks said at the signing ceremony.  “As your partner in prosperity, the U.S. government remains committed to supporting the Philippine government in pursuing a sustainable mining sector that contributes to inclusive and resilient economic growth for all Filipinos.”

During the event, U.S. Trade Development Agency (USTDA) Indo-Pacific Region Manager Tanvi Madhusudanan also provided updates on USTDA’s Php56 million ($1 million) grant to Eramen Minerals, Inc.  that will evaluate the technical and economic viability of developing a nickel processing facility at the company’s mine site in Zambales Province.  This feasibility study is expected to be completed by May 2024.