By Tracy Cabrera
MALATE, Manila — United States Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton has
reaffirmed America’s commitment to expanding business and employment opportunities by promoting the Luzon Economic Corridor to create more jobs and growth.
The pronouncement came following the successful inaugural Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) Investment Forum, co-hosted by Washington in Manila.
In a statement, Lipton said the forum reflects the Trump administration’s push to connect American commercial strengths with economic growth corridors abroad.
“The United States is all-in on the Luzon Economic Corridor because it’s good for the Philippines and good for America,” the ambassador noted. “It means more investment, stronger supply chains, and high-quality jobs in both our countries,” he added.
Sponsored by the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the LEC forum brought together more than 600 investors, industry leaders and government officials to promote private investment in transportation, energy, digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
The United States, Philippines and Japan jointly hosted the event, attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., USTDA Deputy Director Thomas Hardy, Finance Secretary Frederick Go, Department of Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and Japanese Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Ono Sho.
Several agreements and investments were announced, including USTDA funding to expand a ship repair facility at Subic Bay and a pilot project for AI-enhanced, US-made Wi-Fi access points to improve digital connectivity in the Philippines.
The US and Philippines also signed the US$60 million Philippines Energy Threshold Program through the Millennium Challenge Corporation that aims to improve energy-sector governance, address high power costs and reliability issues, strengthen the investment environment and expand opportunities for US companies.
ia/xf
