United States Philippines Mindanao Geothermal Power, Defense Union, and Nickel/Cobalt Processing Facility Alliance Goes Into Effect
“I have said many times, I do not see a future for the Philippines that does not include the United States, and that has come from the very long relationship with the US.” –Philippines President, Marcos, Jr.
It’s Official, US Vice President, Kama Harris is in the Philippines to secure the new geothermal power energy deal, an expanded 20,000 metric ton annual nickel and cobalt processing facility, as well as a defense union –ahead of China.
The Plan is for The United States to send a clear message to China and the Filipino people…
“We’re back, and we’re here to stay.” -America
Though highly criticized in the US for her lack of ‘action’, especially within the US black and minority communities, VP Harris; America’s first female and person of color VP, met up with the Philippines’ new President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Monday.
Philippines President Marcos, Jr. and United States, VP Harris discussed nearly 2-dozen all new ventures that would re-establish and level up the US/PH strategic ties. [A noble move, following the deteriorated relationship created by former PH President, Duterte and US President, Donald Trump.]
From clean power to defense sites scattered around the Philippines, the US has taken shocking steps, nearly immediately following their Primary US Elections last week, to set an alliance with the Marcos Administration.
“The projects are part of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) between the United States and The Philippines. This allows US troops to use agreed locations in the Philippines for security exercises and joint military training…” –US White House
Mindanao, Philippines is the proposed site for a new geothermal power plant constructed, and perhaps ‘protected’ by the United States, to test and provide the southern part of the Philippines with cheaper, clean energy.
The US Press Service believes that the United States government sees a clearer path to ‘clean energy’ in the US if first, they can prove viability in the Philippines.
The all-new deal includes the US Department of Energy, the US Department of State, and the Philippine Department of Energy, and will forge “energy policy dialogue,” –something the Biden Administration, has seemingly failed to do back home in the US.
The deal could put the Philippines on the global map for energy innovation, as well as, raise the value of the country in global circles. This, along with the new world-class airport, being built in Bulacan, Philippines, is good news for the future wealth and security of the country.
This is high-level. Both the US and the PH will be positioned to join forces once again to discuss, and develop new ground-breaking long-term, offshore wind, grid, and power plants, with unified energy cooperation, including but not limited to, energy distribution.
The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the Philippines’ Energy Development Corporation have a 4-pronged approach to this new energy deal:
- Expand access to clean energy,
- Reduce emissions,
- Diversify the Philippines’ energy mix, and
- Bring down energy costs for consumers the Filipino people, along with the thousands of US expats who live in the Philippines.
The USTDA will also support the development of a nickel and cobalt processing facility in the Philippines, which will expand the production of refined nickel and cobalt in the country by 20,000 metric tons per year.
“The project will advance the sustainable development of critical minerals essential to the technologies for the clean energy transition,” –The White House
This is great news for locals, as the USTDA plans to import and use US tech, and skillsets, to attract and help US companies and venture capitalists to readily participate, and invest in the expanding energy sector by opening an office in Manila.
Though President Marcos, Jr. expresses excitement and positivity for this new alliance, not everyone is happy.“
…this is quite a provocative, rabble-rousing, and inflammatory act. It will put my country, [the Philippines] in a precarious and awkward situation with Beijing. I don’t see this as beneficial to my country. It is akin to provoking Beijing [China] at the expense of my country, and I don’t think this is something enlightened and nationalist Filipinos will be happy about.” –Anna Malindog-Uy, VP, The Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute (ACPSSI).
All eyes will be on the Philippines as the entire East contemplates how to respond to this visit.
The outcome is far from being realized. Only time will tell.
