The United States will provide its Southeast Asian allies with $140 million more in aid, citing a boost to their “maritime capabilities” amid the delicate situation in the region.

The White House made the announcement in a press release as President Brack Obama was on a visit to the Philippines on Tuesday, amid growing tensions between Beijing and Washington over US navy patrols in the South China Sea.

According to the statement, the figure will put the total amount of the aid at $250 million over a period of two years.

It added that Washington was seeking to enhance security and enable regional allies to respond to possible threats in the sea.

"Committing $119 million in FY [fiscal year] 2015 to develop Southeast Asian maritime capabilities and will seek to provide $140 million in assistance during FY [fiscal year] 2016 subject to appropriation, totaling more than $250 million over two years," said the White House.

Meanwhile, Obama arrived in Manila, opening a six-day diplomatic tour in Asia that is expected to be focused on the region’s long-standing disputes and more immediate concerns about terrorism roiling the Middle East and Europe in the wake of the recent Paris attacks.

Obama announced the Philippines would be given two additional ships— a US Coast Guard cutter and a research vessel.

The move could bring a more confrontational ambiance to the South China Sea, already gripped by territorial disputes, also including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan

The US accuses China of conducting a massive “land reclamation” program through building artificial islands there.

China has on different occasions asserted its sovereignty over the sea, with Chinese Vice Admiral Yuan Yubai, commander of the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) North Sea Fleet, insisting back in September that the South China Sea belongs to China.