The Philippines has been identified as one of seven “priority countries” for a new round of US international food assistance initiatives, according to an announcement made Friday by the US Department of Agriculture.
Manila joins Bangladesh, Bolivia, Ecuador, Morocco, Sri Lanka, and Thailand under the USDA’s Food for Progress program, which supports projects aimed at strengthening agriculture, boosting economic growth, and improving infrastructure in partner countries.
Administered by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, the program works through cooperative agreements with qualified organizations to implement field-based initiatives that also help expand trade opportunities for US agricultural products.
While specific funding for the Philippines has yet to be disclosed, the USDA said the Food for Progress program is expected to award as much as $226 million in new agreements for fiscal year 2026. The funding will cover five-year projects valued at around $28 million to $35 million each.
These initiatives are largely financed through the sale of US agricultural commodities in host-country markets, with proceeds used to support development programs on the ground.
The Philippines’ inclusion in the priority list signals fresh opportunities for agricultural modernization and stronger international cooperation in support of the country’s food and farm sector.
