By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying that the Philippines is one of the beneficiaries of an $8.1 billion aid package from the US government intended for its Indo-Pacific allies, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Tuesday (23 April 2024) thanked the US House for the grant.
The leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives said the grant would benefit Filipinos amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
“This multifaceted assistance package reaffirms America’s steadfast commitment to promoting peace, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” Romualdez said in a statement.
It was gathered that the US House of Representatives recently approved the Indo-Pacific Supplemental Appropriations Act, granting an $8.1 billion emergency aid package to Taiwan, the Philippines, and other allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
Reports said US Rep. Darrell Issa introduced an amendment to the bill encouraging the US State Department to allocate $500 million in Foreign Military Financing to the Philippines.
The US Senate is expected to pass the measure next week, sending it to US President Joe Biden to sign into law.
(el Amigo/MNM)
