MANILA, Nov. 16 -- The Philippines and the United States (US) reaffirmed their deepening cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), with Washington committing an additional USD1.5 million in emergency assistance to bolster ongoing relief operations in typhoon-hit areas.

The fresh commitment was announced by US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson on Saturday during her joint visit with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to Clark Air Base in Pampanga, where Philippine and US personnel have been preparing thousands of family food packs (FFPs) for airlift to Catanduanes and other affected provinces.

The new funding brings total US support for the current disaster response to USD2.5 million following the onslaught of twi...