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Home/ stevenwarran's Library/ Notes/ October 20, 2003, The Philippine Star, US releases $808 M in aid to RP in 2003, by Marvin Sy,

October 20, 2003, The Philippine Star, US releases $808 M in aid to RP in 2003, by Marvin Sy,

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October 20, 2003, The Philippine Star, US releases $808 M in aid to RP in 2003, by Marvin Sy,

The United States has so far released a total of $808.2 million in assistance to the Philippines this year, including some $114.46 million in military aid, the US Embassy reported over the weekend.

According to data posted at the US Embassy's website (www. usembassy.stat.gov/manila), more than half of the $808.2 million consisted of direct assistance and payments amounting to $505.49 million.

The remainder of $302.73 million was in the form of indirect assistance, like loans, credit guarantees and insurance. The direct aid consisted of benefits paid, grants and gifts in kind.

According to the embassy, the Joint US Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) reported that US military aid increased over the past three years from $38.03 million in 2001 to $94.5 million in 2002 to $114.46 million this year.

The JUSMAG said the Philippines is now the fourth largest recipient of US foreign military financing.

Financing of counter-terrorism training accounted for the biggest share with $30 million while spares for military equipment amounted to $25 million.

Foreign military financing of mobility maintenance plan accounted for $19.87 million, followed by a presidential drawdown authority of $10 million.

The US also extended some $2.4 million for international military training education and $1.5 million in regional counter-terrorism training.

The US has transferred to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) some 15,000 M-16 rifles, 33 2-1/2 ton trucks, three UH-1H helicopters and one Cyclone-class ship, amounting to $25.69 million. The ship is expected to be delivered in February next year.

Most of the military aid was pledged by the US government to the Philippines during President Arroyo's state visit to the US last May.

The Philippines is still expecting 17 more UH-1H helicopters as they become available and 10 unrefurbished helicopter frames for use as spare parts.

According to the US Embassy, benefits paid to the Philippines and its citizens took up a third of the total direct aid, followed by export credit guarantees (27 percent), technical assistance (12 percent) and grants (11 percent).

The embassy figures also showed that the agricultural sector and the government and citizens’ sector were the biggest beneficiaries with each sector receiving 32 percent of the total direct aid.

On the other hand, counter-terrorism and law enforcement programs accounted for only one percent of direct aid.

For agricultural trade, which includes fish and forestry products, the embassy reported that the Philippines enjoyed a $98.9 million advantage for the year with the US importing some $488 million worth of agricultural products while exporting only $390 million.

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