US, Philippines to cooperate in restoring Clark
Veterans Cemetery
US Secretary of State John Kerry announced
Tuesday that the US and the Philippine government have agreed to cooperate for
the restoration of the Clark Veterans Cemetery in Clark Field, Pampanga.
Kerry told reporters during a joint press
conference with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario that the
Philippines and the US governments negotiated for a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) to cooperate in the restoration, operation and maintenance of the Clark
Veterans Cemetery.
“This agreement is not just another piece of
paper. It’s about upholding a sacred promise to honor those who served and
sacrificed on all of our behalf. So I am enormously gratified that we are
ensuring that the 8,600 Americans and Filipinos who are buried in the hallow
ground of that cemetery will receive the respect and the dignity that they
deserve,” Kerry said.
At the same time, the American official also
said he is likewise honored to lay a wreath at the Manila American Cemetery and
Memorial in Taguig City Tuesday morning.
The Clark Veterans Cemetery, located in the
Clark Freeport Zone, is the burial place for thousands of veterans, mainly
American veterans and Filipino Scouts who served in the US Army and who died in
conflicts other than World War II or on military bases in the Philippines. PND
(as)
Kerry invites Philippines to join Trans-Pacific
Partnership Agreement
US Secretary of the State John Kerry invited the
Philippines to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement adding he
expects a Filipino delegation in Washington early next year.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement would be
able to raise standards of doing business, open up new opportunities, and
convert 40 percent of the global GDP into one economic group for improved
global trade, Kerry said in a message to the American and local businessmen in
Manila Tuesday.
He also said the TPP could create millions of
jobs in the Asia-Pacific region. Kerry said the TPP will set standards for
consumers and workers.
“We will welcome a Philippine delegation to
Washington at the end of January to start a technical consultation regarding this.
The TPP, as I said, will bring 40 percent of the world’s economy together into
one historic high standard trade agreement,” he told businessmen.
However, Kerry said it is up to the Philippine
government to decide whether it wants to join the trade bloc depending on its
assessment of its possible gains.
The TPP is a trade agreement among several
Asia-Pacific countries aimed at further liberalizing the economies of the
region.
Kerry also said in his message that the US
believes that the Philippine economy could remain strong if the country and the
US work together in terms of trade and economic relations.
The US official acknowledged the huge potential
of the Philippine economy considering its standing as one of the strongest
economies in the world today.
The Philippines proved that kind of
transformation noting free market and free market ideas could convert the
entrepreneurial spirit of every individual, he said.
“And that is why the country’s successes send a
powerful message not just throughout the region but on a global basis,” he
said. PND (as)
US renews commitment to Philippine security amid
tensions in Asia
The United States renews its commitment to the
security of the Philippines and the Asian region with the visit of US Secretary
of State John Kerry in the country.
Kerry arrived in the Philippines Tuesday morning
and met President Benigno S. Aquino III later in the day.
In a joint press conference after a meeting with
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Kerry said the US is committed to
address the most pressing Philippine security challenge.
This is the reason why the US and the
Philippines are negotiating for a strong and enduring framework agreement that
would enhance defense cooperation between the two countries including increased
rotational presence of US forces in the Philippines, he said.
Part of this initiative is the commitment of the
United States of $40 million to improve the country's capability for maritime
security and maritime domain awareness, according to Kerry.
The US government is also working to reduce
tension in the territories with maritime disputes in Asia.
To lessen tensions, Kerry said the US strongly
supported the immediate conclusion of the ASEAN-China Code of Conduct in the
West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) as a key to reducing the risk of
accidents and miscalculations.
Through the code, claimants will have the responsibility
to clarify their claims and align it with international law, Kerry he added.
The United States believes it would be the best way to proceed in resolving the
disputes in the West Philippine Sea, the American official said.
Second, the US support the international dispute
resolution mechanism such as those provided in the International Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS).
“The United States strongly opposes the use of
intimidation, coercion or aggression to advance territorial claims. And I
assured the foreign secretary that the US remains firmly committed to the
security of the Philippines and the region,” Kerry said.
The US does not recognize China’s recent
announcement of an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) with its conflicting
claim with Japan. China should refrain from taking similar unilateral action
elsewhere in the region and particularly in the West Philippine Sea, he said.
The West Philippine Sea, believed to be rich in
oil and natural gas deposits, is also a major sea lane for global trade and
commerce. Among the claimant countries or states include the Philippines,
China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Indonesia. PND (as)
Meeting with US Secretary of State Kerry
fruitful, strengthens US-PHL ties, says Aquino
President Benigno S. Aquino III said he had a
productive meeting in Malacanang with visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry
who arrived in the country Tuesday.
In his message during a dinner hosted for Kerry,
the President said he appreciated the readiness of the US government to aid the
Philippines in times of distress especially after the onslaught of Typhoon
"Yolanda" last month.
“We also appreciate the fact that Secretary
Kerry is here with the full authority of the President of the United States to
discuss matters that will contribute to further strengthening the strategic
partnership our nations share,” he said.
“Our conversation today was therefore not only
pleasant, but also extremely productive, and it leaves me optimistic that,
moving forward, the historic friendship between our countries will only grow
deeper and more meaningful.”
The US assistance after the typhoon’s
devastation is a representation of the friendship that the two countries have,
he said.
The US government augmented the Philippine
government’s humanitarian response efforts, by generously providing relief
goods and much needed aid, the President said.
The presence of the US in relief efforts reminds
the country of a time in its history when Filipinos and Americans stood in solidarity
for an important cause such as when American and Filipino soldiers fought
shoulder-to-shoulder during World War II.
The President also expressed his gratitude to
the US government for strongly supporting the rule of law in moving towards the
peaceful resolution of tensions in the Asian region.
Kerry also has personal connection with the
Philippines, being part of the US observer delegation during the Snap Elections
in 1986, President Aquino said.
The US official advocated democracy and reform
and spoke out against the massive and blatant cheating by the Marcos
dictatorship, he added.
Kerry arrived in the Philippines Tuesday for a
two-day visit. He is scheduled today to go to Tacloban City to personally see
the ongoing rehabilitation efforts there and assess if the US government needs
to commit additional assistance to the Philippines. PND (as)
US Secretary of State John Kerry reaffirms US
commitment to help recovery of Tacloban
(TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) United States (US)
Secretary of State John F. Kerry reaffirmed on Wednesday the US government's
commitment to help in rebuilding the lives of the survivors of super typhoon
"Yolanda" (Haiyan).
Kerry visited on Wednesday the storm hit
Tacloban City to discuss with Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council Chairman Voltaire Gazmin, city officials and
representatives of various stakeholders on how the US can continue to
contribute to the relief and reconstruction work here.
Kerry arrived at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport
where he was welcomed by Gazmin, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and
Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez at 10:15am together with US
Ambassador Philip Goldberg, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L.
Cuisia, Jr. and other US Embassy Manila officials, and proceeded to Department
of Social Welfare and Development Hub on Apitong Road to personally check on
the relief operations.
The US Secretary of State also visited the Tent
City near the airport to meet with the representatives of the United States
Agency for International Development to discuss the US humanitarian assistance
being provided to the Philippines.
Kerry stayed in Tacloban for almost three hours
before returning to Manila at 12:45 p.m.
Kerry began on Tuesday his 2-day visit to the
Philippines. It was his first visit as US Secretary of State.
During his visit, Secretary Kerry met with
President Benigno S. Aquino III and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del
Rosario. PND (js)
President Aquino underscores importance of being
prepared for disasters
President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the
importance of being well-prepared in the event any natural calamity should
strike the country than just allowing these disasters, such as storms and
earthquakes, to run its course and then spend on rebuilding properties and
livelihood lost.
In his speech at the Briefing for Development
Partners on Reconstruction assistance on Yolanda held at the Department of
Foreign Affairs Building along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City on Wednesday, the
President vowed that aid, international or local, would be utilized to its
fullest in order to “build back better.”
He said that the government would “prioritize
resilience, rather than to keep rebuilding” to break the vicious cycle of
destruction and reconstruction.
“Let me assure you: we know that we cannot allow
ourselves to be trapped in a vicious cycle of destruction and reconstruction.
We know that it is more efficient to prioritize resilience now, rather than to
keep rebuilding. This is why we are going to build back better,” the President
said.
“The task immediately before us lies in ensuring
that the communities that rise again do so stronger, better, and more resilient
than before. Every dollar of funding assistance will be used in as efficient
and lasting a manner as possible. The result of this determination: the
Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda plan or RAY,” he added.
The President said RAY would cover five key
areas of rehabilitation: housing, infrastructure and agriculture and fisheries,
livelihood and business, and the delivery of health, education, and other
essential services.
“First, in terms of housing: as we are
constructing bunkhouses to serve as temporary shelters for families, we are
planning the construction of resilient, permanent housing communities in safe
zones.
Second, infrastructure will not just be repaired
or rebuilt, but will be bolstered; built to be stronger and able to withstand
the onslaught of disasters.
Third, to revive agriculture and fisheries,
which employ a large part of our countrymen in the Visayas: government will be
there every step of the way—from restoring the viability of farmlands, to
rebuilding or replacing assets that the storm destroyed, to providing inputs to
restart farming and fishing. We will also train farmers and fishermen to give
them new skills—all this, towards greater productivity and income
diversification.
Fourth, for livelihood and business, cash for
work programs, the opening of lines of credit, and mechanisms for financing and
support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will be made available
to help Filipinos recover, while we work with private partners to attract
investments in affected areas and build a more inclusive local economy.
Fifth, government will ensure that the delivery
of health, education, and other essential services remain constant in areas hit
by Yolanda, as we repair and rebuild affected public infrastructure. Through
RAY, we are not just settling for the minimum—we do not want our countrymen
merely to make do. We are taking this chance not just to rebuild what was
destroyed, but again more importantly, to build back better,” the President
said.
The President also challenged all Filipinos to
do their part in caring for the environment in their own way in order to
counter the effects of global warming.
“Over and beyond this, I ask you to confront
what I believe will be the rising challenge of our times: the increasing risks
posed to all of us by global warming and climate change. In the aftermath of
Yolanda, what we must build is a partnership borne not only of necessity, but
also of the realization that helping all those in need—all those who
suffer—must be accompanied by reducing the risks that allow this need and this
suffering to arise,” the President said.
“Now, more than ever, we must work together to
mitigate the abuse of the environment that has resulted, and continues to
result, in tragedy, especially for the more vulnerable peoples of the world,”
he added.
The President also took the opportunity to thank
the international community for their help and assistance extended to the
victims of Yolanda in the Visayas region.
“Allow me to thank you once again for being one
with the Filipino people in this time of need, from the days immediately
following typhoon Haiyan, or Yolanda, to this day, as we take on the task of
rebuilding. Not just our country but the entire world came together for
Filipinos affected by Yolanda—from the preschooler in Japan who donated his
savings, to the farmers in Haiti who raised money for their Filipino
counterparts. We are deeply humbled and thankful for this outpouring of
assistance,” the President said.
“It is because of Yolanda that we are now at
this point—that we are gathered here today. In recent years, storms of
unprecedented size and strength—of growing intensity—have seemingly become the
norm, and Yolanda is only the latest. By now, you all know that Yolanda is
considered the strongest storm to make landfall in recorded history—and this is
clear in the number of casualties, and in the families who were affected, and
in the vast damage it did to the Visayas region,” he added.
According to the President, damage wrought by
Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) is pegged at $12.9-billion. PND (rck)
US Secretary of State Kerry announces additional
humatarian aid for Tacloban
(TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) The United States is
providing additional $24.6 million in humanitarian aid to the storm-stricken
Philippines, United States (US) Secretary of State John F. Kerry said on
Wednesday.
"I'm proud to announce here in Tacloban
today that the United States through the United States Agency for International
Development USAID is providing an additional $24.6 million in humanitarian aid.
Now, this is on top of $62 million that we already provided," Kerry said
in his message at the Tent City near the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport here.
"And we are mindful that there is a donor
conference taking place even as we are here today," Kerry said.
Kerry assured that the US government continues
to work closely with the Philippine government to speed up the rehabilitation
efforts for the affected communities following the devastation of super typhoon
"Yolanda" (Haiyan).
About 50 U.S. ships and aircraft carriers have
been mobilized in the calamity areas in Central Philippines.
The US joined the relief effort after the
typhoon slammed the Philippines on Nov. 8. PND (js)
President Aquino: Shelter and livelihood remain as
first priorities for Yolanda victims
Shelter and livelihood remain the government’s
top priorities for residents affected by super typhoon "Yolanda,"
President Benigno S. Aquino III said Wednesday.
The President also said that while government
figures indicate some P361 billion may be needed for recovery and
reconstruction, the figure cannot be set in stone as there are so many
variables.
“Doon muna tayo sa immediate na kakailanganin
natin, shelter and livelihood ang immediate and medium term needs (We’re going
to concentrate first on the immediate needs, shelter and livelihood. Those are
for the immediate and medium term),” he said.
But he also noted there were many decisions that
need be made, including whether to build communities now in the no-build zones,
the final designs of the weather-resilient homes, and even whether to relocate
the Tacloban City airport.
For now, he said the basics cover relief and
shelter, as well as the restart of the livelihood of residents affected in the
Visayas, including farmers and fisherfolk.
The President also said this is why former Sen.
Panfilo Lacson was brought into the Cabinet, “whose sole focus is on the
rehabilitation and reconstruction effort.”
Also, he said the priority is to “get our people
situated in a better position at the soonest possible time.” PND (jl)
President Aquino does not consider self a lucky
charm
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday
said he does not consider himself a lucky charm for Philippine bets in recent
beauty contests.
The President, in an interview with reporters,
said that while he would be thankful if others think of him to be a lucky
charm, he would be presumptuous if he considered himself as one.
“Kapal naman ng mukha ko na sabihin I'm a lucky
charm to anybody. Some people consider me a lucky charm, thank you. But I don't
think I can pronounce myself one,” he said.
He was referring to reports that some people
consider him a lucky charm for the Philippines’ recent bets to international
beauty contests.
On Tuesday night, the Philippines’ Bea Rose
Santiago won the Miss International pageant in Japan, a week after the
President wished her good luck while he met with the Filipino community in
Tokyo.
But the President said that while some credit
him as a lucky charm for Megan Young when she won the Miss World contest in
Bali, he said he arrived there after she had already won.
“Megan, I think, won before I arrived in Bali,”
he said. PND (jl)
Kerry departs after two-day Philippine visit
US Secretary of State John Kerry departed for
the US Wednesday afternoon after completing his eight-day tour of the Middle
East, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Kerry’s plane left the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday immediately after arriving
from a tour of typhoon-devastated areas in Tacloban City.
The US official arrived in Manila Tuesday for a
two-day visit of the Philippines. It was his first visit to the Philippines as
Secretary of State.
During his visit Kerry met President Benigno S.
Aquino III and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario discussing
broadening economic and security cooperation between the Philippines and the
US. They also discussed humanitarian assistance and disaster response and
cooperation on regional issues.
Kerry visited Tacloban City Wednesday morning to
meet people affected by Typhoon Yolanda as well as those involved in the relief
effort. Tacloban City is the epicenter of super typhoon Yolanda, which
decimated towns and villages on November 8. The storm killed more than 6,000
people and displaced four million.
He said on Tuesday that he wanted to personally
see the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in Tacloban City and assess if there was
a need for additional US assistance. PND (as)
President Aquino: $40M assistance from US on
maritime security to boost capabilities of Coast Guard, PNP
The $40-million assistance from the United
States for maritime security will be a big boost to the Philippine Coast Guard
and Philippine National Police’s capabilities, President Benigno S. Aquino III
said Wednesday.
In an interview with media in Malacanan Palace,
the President said the amount will provide technical expertise, training and
equipment for Philippine law enforcement agencies.
“Can I just give you the fields where the help
will ... come in? Shall I quote (to be) specific: This will provide technical
expertise, training, and again, the equipment, to support our capability
building for the Philippine Coast Guard and the PNP in the areas of maritime
security, counter-terrorism and other law enforcement training,” he said.
The assistance came after President Aquino on
Tuesday evening met with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Malacañan Palace.
The Philippine Coast Guard and the PNP are
tasked with patrolling the country’s coastline, one of the world’s longest.
Kerry paid a courtesy call on the President, who
hosted a dinner for him and his party on Tuesday. Kerry, who is on a two-day
visit to the Philippines, went to Tacloban City, one of the areas hit hard by
Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) last November. PND (jl)
US Secretary of State John Kerry lauds Filipinos
for resilience and strength in the face of super-typhoon 'Yolanda'
(TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) United States (US)
Secretary of State John F. Kerry lauded on Wednesday the Filipinos for
exhibiting resilience and strength in the face of massive destruction wrought
by super typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) on November 8.
"What is certain is it didn't break the
spirit of the people here, the resilience, the courage, the determination to
rebuild and to remake...and the truth is that what has happened here since the
moment the storm passed away, is inspiring to everybody ," Kerry said in
his message at the Tent City near the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport here.
Kerry said the US government extended its
sincere sympathies to the families of over 6,000 people who perished after
Yolanda slammed Central Philippines on November 8.
"On behalf of President Barack Obama and
the American people, it is my privileged to come here today to offer our
condolences to the families of more than 6,000 who perished in the storm and to
wish a very full and speedy recovery to some 27,000 who were wounded,"
Kerry said.
The US government commended the leadership
displayed by both the national and local governments in implementing their
programs needed to rebuild facilities, restore social services and revive
economic activities in regions hit by Typhoon Yolanda. PND (js)
President Aquino: Filipinos assured of more
efficient health services with ISO award for DOH
Filipinos can now be assured of more efficient
health services, now that the Department of Health has earned a certification
from the International Organization for Standardization, President Benigno S.
Aquino III said Wednesday.
Speaking at the awarding of the DOH-wide ISO
9001:2008 certification at Malacañan Palace, the President said the distinction
is another concrete sign of the government's positive transformation under his
watch.
"Ano po ba ang ibig-sabihin ng tagumpay na
ito para sa isang karaniwang Pilipino? Simple lang po: Kaakibat ng repormang
ito ang mas mabilis, mas epektibo, at de-kaledad na serbisyong pangkalusugan
para sa ating mga kababayan. Dahil sa mahigpit na pagsunod sa mga pamantayan ng
ISO, napapaunlad ang proseso ng dokumentasyon, pagpaplano, monitoring,
feedback, at pagkamit sa mga target ng iba’t ibang kagawaran ng mga opisina’t
ospital, gayundin ang pagsisiguro sa ligtas, maaasahan, at de-kaledad na
pasilidad o kagamitan ng mga ito (What does an ISO certification mean to the
ordinary Filipino? Simple: this reform will ensure faster, more efficient
health services for our people. The stricter standards will improve our
processes involving documentation, planning, monitoring and feedback in
rendering quality services to our people)," he said.
In July 2012, the DOH's Quality Management
System was awarded ISO 9001:2008 Certification, covering 17 offices and bureaus
at the DOH and two centers for health development.
This year, the certification was expanded to include
33 offices and bureaus - including the Food and Drug Administration - as well
as the remaining 14 centers for health development.
With this, the DOH became the first government
agency under the executive branch to have a department-wide quality management
system certified to ISO 9001:2008.
"Lahat ng inisyatibang ito, nakasentro sa
higit na pag-aaruga, at pagtataas ng antas ng pagbibigay-kalinga sa ating mga
Boss — ang sambayanang Pilipino (All of these initiatives are centered on
raising the standards of health care to our bosses, the Filipino people),"
the President said.
President Aquino commended the DOH's personnel
for their achievement, saying this will benefit not just the government but the
citizens.
"Nawa’y ang tagumpay ninyong ito ay lalo
pang magtulak sa inyong mag-alay ng lakas at oras upang itaas ang antas ng
serbisyo sa ating mga Boss (May this achievement inspire you to continue
dedicating time and energy to improving your standards of service to our
bosses)," he said.
But the President also asked the DOH not to be
content with its achievement, saying it should continue its efforts to improve
its services.
"Huwag tayong makuntento sa mga
napapagtagumpayan na natin ngayon. Gawin nating permanente ang positibong
pagbabagong ito ng Pilipinas para sa mga susunod pang henerasyon (Let's not be
content with what we have done. Let's make positive change a permanent trait,
to benefit future generations of Filipinos)," he said. PND (jl)
President Aquino underscores stability as
component for prosperity in the region
President Benigno S. Aquino III said the
Philippines is not alone in raising concerns over China’s air defense
identification zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea, adding that stability is a
necessary component for prosperity in the region.
In a media interview on Wednesday, President
Aquino said that apart from the United States, other countries, such as South
Korea and Japan, also raised concerns over the establishment of China’s ADIZ.
“Well, palagay ko maganda naman na nasabi ng
America iyon, very categorical and very clear. Hindi lang naman America...
South Korea also, Japan, and other countries,” the President said.
“Everybody wants to have stability in the region
and stability is necessary for prosperity. And one would like to think that all
countries are after the prosperity of their peoples,” he added.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and
US Secretary of State John Kerry discussed Tuesday the West Philippines Sea and
China’s ADIZ, and agreed on the primacy of the rule of law in the region and
respect for the freedom of navigation.
During the 40th ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit
in Tokyo, President Aquino called anew for a peaceful and rules-based approach
in resolving territorial disputes in the region.
“The Philippines’ call for the peace and
stability in our region is amplified by recent developments in the East China
Sea, on the establishment of an air defense identification zone, which raises
concerns over international civil aviation, safety and security,” he said.
“We all should view with greater concern recent
pronouncements of Chinese officials that China will establish other ADIZs in
due course after completing relevant preparations,’ he added. PND (co)
