The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines announces three new cohorts of the English Access Program Scholarship in Davao City, Bohol, and Bataan, benefiting 150 high-achieving Filipino students. The program is a partnership between the U.S. Embassy’s Regional English Language Office, the Philippine Department of Education, and public schools in each location.
Students and teachers selected through a competitive, merit-based process gain invaluable skills from American innovation and excellence in English language content and instruction, preparing them to enter the workforce.
Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the two-year, intensive after school program strengthens English proficiency while building digital, leadership, and critical thinking skills among public school students aged 13 to 15. Participants also participate in cultural activities, including celebrating American excellence in partnership with U.S. officials as part of America’s 250th anniversary and the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine diplomatic relations in 2026.
“By focusing on advanced literacy and professional-level communication, we are preparing these high-achieving students for the demands of the global workforce,” said U.S. Embassy Regional English Language Officer Jeff McIlvenna. “Their success is a direct investment in the future of the U.S.-Philippine relationship and our shared goals—ultimately making both our nations safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”
On January 8, the Regional English Language Office launched the first 2026 cohort at Pablo M. Piatos Sr. Integrated School in Bunawan, Davao City, with 50 exceptional students joining from various schools across the area.
“The English Access Scholarship Program plays a significant role in raising the English proficiency of learners, especially those from far-flung schools. Through well-structured weekly lessons, interactive, learner-centered activities, and support from mentors, the program builds learners’ confidence and communication skills in English, empowering them to express themselves more effectively and opening wider academic and future opportunities,” said Department of Education Davao City Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Sagot.
The second cohort launched on January 10 in Panglao, Bohol, with 50 students at Lourdes National High School.
The third cohort, also with 50 students, will launch on January 17 at the City of Balanga National High School in Balanga City, Bataan.
Since its inception in 2004, over 200,000 students in more than 85 countries have received the English Access Program Scholarship, including nearly 1,500 alumni in the Philippines. Educators in the program also join a global network of Access teachers to strengthen their instructional skills through American English excellence to better serve their communities.

Baguio City —On September 3, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong led a ceremony commemorating the 80th Victory Day at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Camp John Hay. Together, they honored the shared sacrifices of Filipino and Allied forces during World War II and celebrated the enduring ties between the Philippines and the United States.
Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. served as the guest of honor.
Victory Day marks the end of World War II in the Philippines. In the 80 years since standing shoulder-to-shoulder in battle, the Philippines and the United States have grown ever closer as friends, partners, and allies.
“The liberation of the Philippines during World War II was a triumph of the extraordinary bravery of Allied forces and the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people. From resistance movements that defied occupation to countless sacrifices made, their legacy is the freedom we cherish today,” Ambassador Carlson said in her remarks. “This shared struggle forged a special relationship between our two nations, rooted in mutual respect, trust, and an unwavering commitment to the safety and prosperity of future generations of Filipinos and Americans.”
“That surrender marked not only the end of World War II in the Philippines but also the triumph of courage, strength in spirit, and hope over tyranny and despair. For us in Baguio, this is more than just an event written in textbooks—it is part of our city’s living memory, a legacy carved into our very identity,” Mayor Magalong said. “As we remember that day and its significance to the world, we also honor the extraordinary sacrifices of the men and women—Filipino, American, and other allies—who fought courageously to restore peace and freedom.”
“Today must not merely be an ordinary memorial day. It must be a day of deep reflection,” Secretary Teodoro said. “If we do not learn from the lessons of the past, and think as much as we want that the world is a static place, if we do not have resolve, purpose, and unity in action in all facets of public and private life, even with individual behavior and discipline, then we have no business honoring those who have shed their blood.”
More than 300 guests attended the ceremony, including Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr., National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairperson Regalado Trota Jose Jr., and Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu. Veterans, members of the diplomatic corps, the media, and partners from the public and private sectors were also present.
Ambassador Carlson joined Secretary Teodoro, Mayor Magalong, NHCP Chairperson Jose, and PVAO Undersecretary Mapagu in presenting coins to living World War II veterans Angelo Viloria Andrada, Ernesto Carreon Luis, Florence Rimando Marasigan, and Sixta Quiñones Favila to honor their courage and invaluable contributions to freedom and democracy. Luis led the solemn ringing of the ceremonial bell at 12:10 p.m., marking the exact minute of General Yamashita’s surrender. Churches across Baguio City also rang their bells in unison.
During the event, Ambassador Carlson announced the launch of a virtual tour of the historic U.S. Ambassador’s Residence. Developed by the U.S. Department of State, the virtual tour is free and accessible online through the OBO VR app in the Apple Store or through the following link: https://hullfilm360.com/projects/state/baguio/web/360tour/index.html. “This initiative preserves our shared heritage and invites future generations to reflect on our past and help build a hopeful tomorrow,” Ambassador Carlson said.
Following the ceremony, Ambassador Carlson hosted a reception celebrating U.S.-Philippine friendship and the 249th anniversary of U.S. independence. “We begin a new chapter as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine diplomatic relations in 2026,” Ambassador Carlson said. “The friendship, partnership, and alliance between the United States and the Philippines is a crucial part of that story because of the values we share such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

SUBIC, Zambales – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Subic, Zambales, formally reopening one of Asia’s largest shipbuilding facilities.
The project, supported by the Philippine government, the Republic of Korea, and the United States, is expected to generate thousands of local jobs and reestablish the country’s role in the global shipbuilding industry.

Long-term employment

In his message, Marcos Jr. underscored the industry’s capacity to expand operations and provide long-term employment.
“With Hyundai Heavy Industries investing in Subic, our shipyard capacity will significantly increase from 1.3 million to 2.5 million deadweight tons, from handling four to five massive oil tankers to about eight of those ships,” the President said.
He also highlighted government programs to prepare more workers for the sector.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has partnered with Hyundai to operate a training center in Subic, producing its first 24 welding graduates now employed at the yard, while additional training slots have been made available to maintain a steady supply of skilled workers.
Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa said the project reflects the strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
“Today’s event is, above all, a victory for the Philippines. It is a tangible result of President Marcos’ tireless efforts to attract foreign investment through the CREATE More [Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy] Act,” Lee said.
He added that Hyundai is projected to employ 7,000 to 8,000 workers in the coming years, calling the initiative a “powerful tripartite partnership” wherein Korea contributes shipbuilding technology, the United States provides financial support, and the Philippines offers skilled manpower and a strategic location.

Global shipbuilding hub

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries CEO Kim Sung-joon also emphasized the Philippines’ potential to become a global hub for shipbuilding.
“Fortunately, the Philippines possesses all the ideal conditions to become a major player in the shipbuilding industry—with a blessed maritime environment, a young and highly skilled workforce, and the committed support of the government,” he said.
For many, the reopening represents more than industrial revival—it means jobs close to home.
Marlon Eugenio, a former employee of the Hanjin Shipyard, expressed his gratitude.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating pamahalaan lalong lalo na kay Presidente Marcos na nagbigay ng opportunity ulit na mabuksan ang pinakamalaking shipyard. Nabigyan muli ang mga kapwa ko worker na magkaroon ng trabaho at magkaroon ng panibagong talento sa paggawa ng barko,” he said.
HD Hyundai’s Subic operations will cover 200 hectares under a 10-year lease with Agila Subic, a Cerberus portfolio company.
The facility is set to begin full operations in January 2026, including both shipbuilding and offshore wind platform construction. (PIA Region 3-Zambales)

Manila—On August 18, the U.S. government, through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), donated Php1.9 million ($34,500) worth of equipment to the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) Fleet Maintenance and Repair Group (MRG) Workshop in Sangley Point, Cavite. The donation will enhance the PCG’s ability to maintain and repair vessels.
“This activity is another important step in our capability buildup to provide the necessary equipment for our MRG,” Coast Guard Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Rommel Supangan said during the turnover ceremony. He also welcomed this support as “another meaningful step forward” in the cooperation between the PCG and the U.S. Embassy to promote maritime security.
“INL pledged to continue supporting the MRG as they operationalize their maintenance facility and address vessel sustainment requirements comprehensively across the Coast Guard Fleet. This transfer of essential equipment and backup power supply will enable a broader and more effective equipment repair program,” U.S. Embassy INL Director Kate Riche said.
The PCG’s 400-square-meter Fleet MRG Workshop in Sangley Point was inaugurated in May 2024 as a joint initiative among INL, the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group Philippines, and the PCG to enhance maintenance and repair capability for small boats and systems aboard larger patrol vessels, complementing the MRG facility in the Manila Port Area. The U.S. Department of Defense funded the construction of the Php54-million ($950,000) MRG Workshop in Sangley Point while INL funded its design and outfitting in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard.
INL and other U.S. government agencies are planning additional support for PCG vessel maintenance efforts in the coming year through technical training programs, maintenance and logistic systems planning, and equipment donations for vessel operating stations.

Manila—The U.S. government is providing an additional Php13.8 million ($250,000) in funding to deliver emergency shelter assistance and hygiene kits to more than 3,000 families, or approximately 15,800 persons, remaining in evacuation centers in Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Pampanga following severe flooding in July.
This latest assistance brings the total amount of U.S. humanitarian support for disaster response efforts in the Philippines to Php27.6 million ($500,000).
Through this new tranche of funding, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Philippines’ Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will distribute shelter-grade tarpaulins, shelter repair kits, and essential household supplies to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed. Each shelter repair kit contains basic construction tools and materials to help families begin rebuilding their homes.
To promote health and sanitation and improve living conditions in evacuation centers, families will also receive hygiene kits containing soap, buckets, and cleaning supplies. In addition to distributing relief items, IOM will also monitor the condition of hygiene and sanitation facilities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of affected families.
“Although flooding has subsided in most areas, thousands of families remaining in evacuation centers continue to face significant challenges,” U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Y. Robert Ewing said. “We are grateful to be working alongside our partners, including IOM, the World Food Programme (WFP), the Philippines’ Office of Civil Defense, and the DSWD, to help affected families recover and rebuild.”
The U.S. government earlier provided Php13.8 million ($250,000) in funding that supported WFP in delivering 47,700 DSWD family food packs that benefitted over 200,000 persons across Northern and Central Luzon.
U.S. military air assets, alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines, also supported Philippine-led operations to deliver 6,300 DSWD food packs for 18,000 persons in Batanes.

(Manila) – The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) successfully held its 2025 Philippines Business Mission, its annual flagship business-to-government engagement program, from August 11 to 14. With a total of 35 US companies, this marked the largest ever USABC business mission to the Philippines. The mission was co-led by Ambassador Ted Osius (ret.), USABC’s Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director and USABC’s Philippines Committee Co-Chairs represented by Stephen Braim, Vice President for Government & Regulatory Affairs, Asia Pacific at IBM and Paul Favila, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer at Citi Philippines. This year’s business mission builds on a pivotal moment in U.S.-Philippines relations, marked by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent visit to the White House.
​​ ​The USABC is conducting this event back-to-back with an Aerospace, Defense, and Security (ADS) Mission to the Philippines, from August 14 to 15 also in Metro Manila. This industry mission marks the Council’s largest-ever ADS delegation to the country, with participation from 26 leading U.S. companies across the defense and security sectors.
​​ ​“With close to 60 companies joining this historic back-to-back business missions, the U.S. private sector demonstrates its steady, deep, and enduring commitment to the Philippines as a key partner in the region” said Ambassador Osius. “The U.S.-Philippines relationship is a unique one and our delegation reflects our collective commitment to supporting the Philippines’ long-term economic growth, innovation, and regional competitiveness” he added. ​ ​
​​ ​The delegation began its mission with a meeting at the Malacañan Palace with Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Frederick D. Go, and Secretary of Trade and Industry Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, during which U.S. business executives reaffirmed their commitment to expanding investments and upskilling efforts in the Philippines. Secretary Roque was joined by Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo and Philippine Economic Zones Authority Director General Tereso Panga.
​​ ​“We are pleased to welcome the record turnout of the US-ASEAN Business Council mission to the Philippines, which affirms the strength of our economic partnership and the confidence of U.S. businesses in the country’s investment climate,” said SAPIEA Secretary Frederick D. Go. “This engagement opens new avenues for strategic public-private partnerships that leverage our countries’ complementary strengths in key industries, such as electronics and semiconductors, food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, and digitalization. We stand ready to assist U.S. companies expand their presence in the Philippines and participate in the country’s promising growth story.”
​​ The group then held high-level engagements with senior officials across key government bodies and their attached agencies. Among these government executives included Ambassador MaryKay Carlson from the US Embassy in Manila, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, ​ Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Babe Romualdez, Agriculture Undersecretary Asis Perez, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Zeno Ronald Abenoja, Budget and Management Undersecretary Margaux Salcedo, Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jonas Leones, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Francis Lim, Insurance Commission Chairman Reynaldo Regalado, among others.
​​ ​The delegation likewise met with leaders from the Philippine Congress, led by Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Chairman of the Senate Committees on Agriculture and Constitutional Amendments, and Representative Miro Quimbo of the House Committee on Ways and Means.
​​ The delegation was also hosted at a reception at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence, with over 155 leaders from government, business, and diplomatic community in attendance.
​​ Guided by the theme “Advancing Inclusive Growth Through Strategic and Resilient Partnerships,” the delegation demonstrated its commitment to supporting the Philippines through public-private collaboration in key areas such as regulatory reform, workforce development, navigating global trade dynamics, and preparations for the country’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.
​​ “Digital transformation is essential to unlocking the next phase of economic growth in the Philippines” said Mr. Stephen Braim. “IBM is proud to work alongside the Council and the Philippine government to advance initiatives that modernize public services and strengthen the country’s position in an increasingly competitive global economy” he added.
​​ ​“As global connectivity accelerates, Citi is happy to support our colleagues in the Council in facilitating investments into the Philippines,” said Mr. Paul Favila. “This is consistent with our mandate of enabling economic progress that we have been executing for more than a century of doing business and serving our clients in the country” he added.
​​ ​USABC’s Philippines Committee Co-Chairs IBM and Citi, its Vice-Chairs, Coca-Cola, Cargill, and Zuellig Pharma along with 3M, Abbott, Amazon, Anglicotech Philippines, Inc., Astrophysics, Bayer, Bell Textron, Boeing, Chevron, Cisco, Corteva, Equinix, Ford, Jhpiego, Jollibee Group, JP Morgan, Lockheed Martin, Manulife, Mastercard, MSD Animal Health, Netflix, Philip Morris International, Salesforce, TE Connectivity, Texas Instruments, The Asia Group, UltraPass, Visa, and Vriens & Partners participated in the 2025 Philippines Business Mission. ​

MANILA – The United States’ conduct of freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) near the Bajo de Masinloc has helped support Manila in its efforts to promote international law in the area, said US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson.
Two US warships— USS Higgins (DDG-76) and USS Cincinnati (LCS 20)— conducted FONOPs approximately 102 nautical miles from Zambales on Wednesday, days after two Chinese vessels collided with one another as they attempted to chase away BRP Suluan near the feature, also known as the Scarborough Shoal.
“The freedom of navigation operations are very important for demonstrating that the United States military, and in this case specifically our Navy, will fly, sail, and operate anywhere that international law allows,” Carlson said in an interview in Pasay City on Thursday.
“We’re really pleased that the freedom of navigation operation was able to reinforce what the Philippines is doing to protect and to uphold international law of the sea in your jurisdiction here,” she added.
The envoy said demonstrating free passage in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea is “really critical” not only for the US and the Philippines but the entire international community.
“In this waterway in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, freedom of navigation is essential for the trillions of dollars worth of commerce that passes through these waters,” she said.
“It’s not only about the Coast Guard or the Navy or the military or security or defense— it’s about commerce, it’s about lives and livelihoods,” she added.
The US uses FONOPs to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve navigation, overflight, and other rights/freedoms guaranteed to all nations under international law. (PNA)