Zambo mayor, Thomas discuss VFA, travel advisories

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 17): Zambo mayor, Thomas discuss VFA, travel advisories

Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has brought anew to the attention of the United States government through the U.S. Embassy her concerns relative to the Visiting Forces Agreement and the issuance of travel advisories.

This, as Salazar graciously welcomed to City Hall outgoing U.S. Ambassador Harry Thomas during the latter’s exit call Friday afternoon, barely six weeks before the change of the guard at the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

Salazar thanked Thomas for all the efforts extended over the years as envoy of the U.S. to the Philippines.

These efforts to include Zamboanga City and Mindanao in the envoy’s agenda, Salazar stressed, are essential toward the development of the citizens in building stronger ties between and among the two nations.

“As you turn over the helm of the U.S. Embassy in Manila, I hope that you can endorse our concerns to the incoming Ambassador, as these would greatly help in the development efforts in our locality and that of our neighbours in Mindanao,” she told Ambassador Thomas.

The efforts included clarification of the plans of the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines in the city; the conduct of all JSOTF-P activities in this city should be properly coordinated with the local government; need to designate a liaison officer with the city government who will be handling local issues and concerns with JSOTF-P and request for assistance on the rehabilitation and asphalting of the airport runway which is also being utilized by American planes and jets as landing site.

The other concerns raised were the need for a prior notice on the impending issuance of any travel advisory; request for provision of technical expertise to fully activate the city’s command center for emergency response; request for assistance in calibrating airport security and Closed-Circuit Television system and possible programs and partnerships with the city government through the United States Assistance for International Development and other agencies of the U.S. government.

In an interview with reporters after the courtesy call, Salazar said Thomas has given his assurance to the Zamboangueños and the Filipinos in general that the U.S. embassy will continue its support not only in terms of supplementing security efforts but also in training people on how to respond to disasters.

She said Thomas also endorsed to the city the continuous services of the USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao under the leadership of Ms. Gloria Steele for constant implementation of joint projects and programs based on the requests and mandates of the Aquino administration.

The courtesy call ended with the exchange of tokens between Salazar and the outgoing ambassador.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=556148