WASHINGTON (September 10, 2026) — Today, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton joined Philippines Secretary of Finance Frederick Go in signing the $60 million Philippines Energy Threshold Program—a U.S. government grant through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)—at the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) Investment Forum in Manila. U.S. Ambassador Lipton was joined by MCC Acting Chief of Staff Dan Petrie, and MCC Acting Vice President for Policy and Evaluation Martha Bowen.
The MCC threshold program builds upon whole-of-government efforts in the energy sector and fills critical gaps that will improve the environment for investment, strengthen institutions, and expand opportunities for American commercial engagement.
“MCC sets the foundation for private sector led growth,” said Dan Petrie. “This partnership will not only deliver more reliable, affordable power across the Philippines, but underpins our collective efforts in Luzon and beyond—from unlocking economic growth, to shoring up our security, to creating opportunities to export U.S. technology.”
The program will modernize the Energy Regulatory Commission through streamlining processes and digitalization, strengthening governance and operational efficiency of electric cooperatives, and piloting smart grid technologies. Moreover, the program will unlock domestic capital for infrastructure investments, supporting the long-term viability of resilient, and affordable power in communities across the country.
“We extend our gratitude to the U.S. government for approving a $60 million grant under the MCC Threshold Program,” said Secretary Go. “This support will help us address key policy and institutional gaps to strengthen the foundations of our energy sector.”
MCC will also coordinate with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to identify opportunities to provide flexible targeted technical assistance and catalytic funding to accelerate private sector-led energy investments, complementing governance reforms and creating new opportunities for U.S. technology and services in the Philippine energy market.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent U.S. Government agency focused on unlocking growth through results-driven foreign assistance. MCC’s grants support large-scale infrastructure, strategic reforms, and economic modernization. MCC advances America’s economic and strategic interests by delivering measurable returns to both recipients and U.S. taxpayers—expanding commercial opportunities for U.S. businesses, reducing the influence of competitors, and reinforcing global environments aligned with American values.
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