MANILA, Philippines – A US naval carrier will conduct a 4-day goodwill visit to Manila, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The DFA said the USS George Washington Naval Carrier Fleet will dock at the Manila Bay on Saturday for command level visits, routine ship replenishment, maintenance of shipboard systems and crew liberty.

Philippine Navy officers will welcome the fleet which is made up of 4 ships—the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, cruiser USS Cowpens, and destroyers USS John S. McCain and the USS McCampbell. The entire fleet is manned by some 7,000 crew members.

According to the DFA, the visit is a reaffirmation of the vibrant bilateral ties between the Philippines and the United States.

The visit is also expected to be a boon to local economy, particularly to the tourism sector.

The crew will conduct community relations activities, which include painting of school buildings and hospital wards, medical missions and band concerts starting September 5.

This is the second time that the fleet visited the country. During its visit last year, around US$7 million were spent in hotel bookings, sight-seeing, shopping and other activities. Some of the crew's family members also visited the country to meet up with their loved ones.