US-PHL outreach in Neg.Or. lauded

From the Visayan Daily Star (Mar 12): US-PHL outreach in Neg.Or. lauded

An official of the United States Embassy in Manila lauded yesterday the successful staging of the joint U.S. and Philippines Armed Forces humanitarian assistance mission in Negros Oriental from March 4-9.

The “Operation Pacific Angel 2013-01” in Dumaguete and Tanjay cities benefited 6,885 people from all over the province, who received medical, dental and optometry care from US and Philippine soldiers. They also repaired and upgraded the facilities of the Bio-os Elementary School in Amlan town; Pamplona Central ES in Pamplona; and Tugawe ES in Dauin.

Mission deputy chief Robin Diallo, head of the Embassy Public Affairs Office, in her message at the culmination rites at the Bio-os ES, described the “tremendous successful humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise” as exemplifying the relationship between the United States and the Philippines – accomplishment, team work, friendship and success.

“Pacific Angel” improves the interoperability and disaster readiness of the U.S. and Philippines militaries as both countries continue to build their professional and personal relationships, Diallo said. “Our enduring relations have made exercises like this one successful”.

Diallo said the U.S. government works with local partners to target underserved areas where citizens would not otherwise receive this type of medical care.

Exercises such as the “Pacific Angel” pave the way for joint disaster relief and humanitarian assistance for the two governments to successfully work together and respond when disaster occurs, she said. “We cannot keep the natural disasters from happening but we can be ready for them.”

Diallo said the US has provided much assistance to the Philippines over the years, as she cited the disasters left behind by typhoons Ondoy, Sendong and Pablo.

The U.S. military, the United States Agency for International Development and its implementing partners provided transport, logistics, emergency relief commodities, water and hygiene, with a total government commitment of P508.4 million, or $12.4 million, that benefited hundreds of thousands of people, Diallo said.

She said she is proud that the mission took place in Negros Oriental this year as it is “another concrete sign to the people of Negros of our commitment to the Philippines, its people and our long standing partnership”.

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2013/March/12/negor3.htm