Manila, July 23 -- The United States government has allocated approximately PHP3 billion (USD60 million) in foreign assistance to the Philippines, the first such announcement to any country since the US paused most of its foreign aid commitments in January.

The US Embassy in Manila confirmed on Wednesday that the funding, coursed through the US Department of State, will support programs in energy, maritime security, and economic growth in the Philippines.

The aid announcement comes after the meeting between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, DC on July 21.

"This is the US government's first announcement of new foreign assistance for any country since the Trump Administration began its...