MANILA — The United States Senate has approved a bill authorizing the allocation of USD2.5 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grant assistance to the Philippines from 2026 to 2030.

Under the proposed Philippines Enhanced Resilience Act (PERA), which is now awaiting the signature of President Donald Trump, the United States will earmark up to USD500 million annually over five fiscal years to help develop the country’s defense capabilities.

The measure was passed by the US Senate on Dec. 17 as part of the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and is aimed at deepening US-Philippines defense cooperation and strengthening interoperability to address growing threats in the Indo-Pacific region.

“As the United States and the Philippines face growing challenges to security and prosperity in the West Philippines Sea and the wider Indo-Pacific, it’s critical for our two nations to deepen cooperation and raise our decades-long Alliance to even greater heights,” US Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) said.

“This bipartisan bill will significantly increase US security assistance to the Philippines and profoundly strengthen and modernize the defense and deterrence capabilities of our Alliance. I’m pleased to see the Senate pass this bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to President Trump signing this bill into law,” he added.

US Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) also welcomed the passage of the bill, saying it would provide a significant boost to the Philippine-US security partnership once enacted.

“The Philippines is a key ally of the United States, and we must strengthen cooperation with our partners across the region to counter China’s aggression and help ensure freedom, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” Kaine said.

Under PERA, the US Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and other relevant agencies, will submit an annual report to the US Congress detailing efforts to enhance the United States-Philippines defense relationship. The report will include an assessment of capabilities needed to modernize Philippine defense forces, such as coastal defense, long-range fires, integrated air defenses, maritime security, manned and unmanned aerial systems, mechanized ground mobility, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, defensive cybersecurity, and other defense requirements deemed necessary.

Meanwhile, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete and United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) commander Gen. Ronald Clark reaffirmed strong Army-to-Army ties and interoperability during a bilateral meeting at the Sanban-cho Conference Hall in Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan on Thursday.

In a statement released Friday, the Philippine Army said the two officials discussed bilateral activities, including territorial defense training and humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts.

The meeting followed the recent conclusion of the 14th Steering Committee Meeting, a planning activity in preparation for the Executive Steering Group Meeting held last November at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The Philippine Army reiterated its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the US Army and maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region alongside other like-minded nations.

(PNA)