PH checking possible impact of US aid freeze order

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs is assessing the potential impact of a new US policy pausing foreign assistance.

Just hours after taking office on Monday, US President Donald Trump ordered a 90-day pause in foreign development assistance. The US State Department has since issued a "stop-work" order for all existing foreign assistance and paused new aid, according to a cable seen by Reuters.

The full scope of the order remains unclear.

“The DFA is closely monitoring reports on the possible freeze of US foreign assistance and will work with partners in the US Department of State and the US government to determine how this will affect the Philippines,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement on Saturday, Jan. 25.

The US is one of the Philippines’ largest sources of financial aid.

READ: US issues broad freeze on foreign aid after Trump orders review