SECRETARY of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to developing the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) during a phone call with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Rubio on Monday spoke with Marcos to discuss a range of bilateral economic and security priorities, including efforts to advance peace and security in the South China Sea.
Both also explored “ways to address the energy challenges in the region,” State Department spokesman Thomas Pigott said in a statement shared by the US Embassy in Manila.
He added that Rubio also emphasized the strength of the United States-Philippines alliance and continued close cooperation as the two countries commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations and 75 years as allies in 2026.
Meanwhile, the embassy said that Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael George DeSombre would be traveling to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Brunei and the Philippines from May 31 to June 10.
DeSombre will engage with government and private sector counterparts to advance a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, it added.
The Philippines and US have expanded the LEC partnership to include Australia, Denmark, France, Italy, South Korea, Sweden and the United Kingdom (UK), the US embassy said.
Launched in April 2024, the LEC will create thousands of high-quality jobs and transform Luzon into a more prosperous and interconnected region.
It is the first Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment corridor in the Indo-Pacific and aims to enhance connectivity between Subic Bay, Clark, Manila and Batangas.
“Partners will contribute through technical assistance, financing, and facilitation of private sector investments, while actively participating in working groups focused on transport, energy and digital infrastructure,” the embassy said.
“The expansion of the LEC partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration among likeminded nations committed to transparency and shared prosperity,” said Finance Secretary Frederick Go, co-chairman of the LEC steering committee.
“Together, we are building infrastructure that will improve daily life for millions of Filipinos and create new opportunities for businesses, industries, and communities in our partner countries and across the region,” he added.
Australia is investing in the LEC through the Manila Deal Team and has offered P1.9 billion for inclusive economic growth.
Denmark, meanwhile, seeks to revitalize Philippine shipbuilding and advance green maritime innovation and foster investments, jobs and sustainable industrial development via an initiative that aims to create 10,000 jobs.
France is financing 100 bridges through official development assistance and industrial capacity building through a foreign direct investment project in the aeronautics sector.
Italy is increasing its public financial support in order to facilitate private sector investment from Italian companies in the transport, semiconductors and manufacturing sectors. South Korea’s contribution includes a P1.5-billion grant to establish the National Cyber Security Center and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport modernization project.
Sweden is contributing to Luzon’s Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas freight railway through a P74-million grant to fund a feasibility study on signaling systems and operational models.
The UK is deploying its full Growth and Investment Partnerships toolkit, providing technical assistance, P411 billion in export finance and mobilizing capital towards infrastructure and energy projects.
