MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines will not be significantly impacted by United States President Donald Trump’s order to freeze and review all foreign assistance, according to National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon.

Edillon assured that the Philippine government has alternative sources of support from other foreign development partners, minimizing the potential effects of the U.S. aid suspension.

Trump’s directive halts funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), including assistance provided to the Philippines. Despite this, Edillon emphasized that the country is less reliant on U.S. aid than in previous years.

“Iba na rin ang situation natin noon sa ngayon. Dati kasi we even depend on USAID sa school buildings natin,” Edillon said in a press briefing at Malacañang on Monday.

“Ngayon hindi na tayo sa ganoon situation. So, it’s really more of the technical assistance apart, which pwede naman tayo mag-source from other development partners,” she added.

The U.S. government has launched a 90-day review of USAID’s funding allocations, which could affect Philippine projects relying on American assistance. Edillon noted that while awaiting the review’s outcome, existing technical studies involving USAID are still ongoing.

“We will have to wait ma-resolve yung issue na yan, but concerning the ongoing na mga technical assistance, we are actually still continuing with the studies,” she said.

She also highlighted that some USAID personnel in the Philippines continue to provide assistance despite the funding freeze.

“We also have good relationship with the USAID staff. Marami naman sa kanila ang nagbibigay ng inputs, out of their goodwill naman,” Edillon said.

The U.S. State Department issued a “stop-work” order on January 24, following Trump’s decision to review whether U.S. foreign aid aligns with his administration’s foreign policy objectives.