The United States has announced P450 million ($8 million) in funding to support the modernization of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), focusing on enhancing infrastructure, training, and resource management. The announcement came during the 3rd Maritime Dialogue held in Manila, where US and Philippine officials reaffirmed their commitment to maritime security and adherence to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez and US Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary Mahlet Mesfin led the discussions, emphasizing cooperation on maritime law enforcement, climate change adaptation, and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF). Both countries also underscored the significance of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, signaling their mutual stance on regional maritime rights.
Initiated in 2022, the Maritime Dialogue serves as a platform for both nations to enhance maritime policy coordination and tackle shared challenges in the South China Sea.