TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Philippines Department of National Defense said Tuesday it has not been informed of a US proposal that Taiwan help upgrade American military bases in the country.

In its 2025 Annual Report to Congress, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission suggested Taiwan could provide financial, non-military assistance to improve US bases in the Philippines. Defense spokespersons in Manila said they had received no communication from Washington on the matter, per CNA.

Defense Spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said the proposal is a policy question that would need to be addressed by the department. Separately, Spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the Philippines only learned of the suggestion through media reports, adding that the US had not conveyed any such policy to Manila.

The US has opened nine sites in the Philippines under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, including three in northern Luzon, relatively close to Taiwan.

The commission’s report also recommended that Taiwan help the Philippines counter disinformation, strengthen coastal defense, and support development of a Luzon Economic Corridor.