Austin condoles with typhoon-hit communities, announces $1-M aid

Aid to communities devastated by recent cyclones that battered the Philippines was discussed yesterday during the meeting of President Marcos and outgoing US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III, who announced a $1-million humanitarian assistance to disaster-hit areas.

During his courtesy call on Marcos at Malacañang, Austin said he has authorized US troops to help Philippine forces provide lifesaving aid to residents affected by storms.

"At the outset, let me offer our condolences and thoughts and prayers to all those who have been disadvantaged by these six significant storms that have taken place in a very short period of time," the defense chief said.

"The US has also secured another million dollars in urgent humanitarian aid, and that will enhance the work of USAID and the World Food Program. And that's in addition to the nearly 100,000 pounds of supplies that we delivered after Typhoon Julian," he added.

In an X post, Austin said the assistance would add to the $5.5 million in aid already provided to the Philippines through USAID since September.

Marcos thanked Austin for visiting the Philippines despite the "less-than-ideal" weather and cited the importance of the sites dedicated to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation (EDCA) to the country's disaster response operations.