Envoys upbeat on PH-US ties in coming year
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. (left) and US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr.: Upbeat on Philippines-US ties
MANILA, Philippines—The apparent upswing in longstanding relations between the Philippines and the United States is bound to continue in 2013, with both parties hoping to boost ties in the coming year.
In a New Year message, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. said 2012 was a year that saw deepening relations between the two countries, adding that he looked forward to an even more productive new year.
“We continued to exert efforts to widen and deepen relations between the Philippines and the United States on all fronts, including people-to-people ties. As recently noted by a US official, the two countries’ relationship is in a ‘renaissance,’” said Cuisia in his message posted on the website of the Philippine Embassy in the United States.
He said 2013 bodes well for the Philippines with continuing political and economic reforms under the administration of President Aquino.
Critical juncture
Article continues after this advertisement“Filipinos have many reasons to welcome 2013 with open arms. The country is at a critical juncture. Under the leadership of President Aquino, the Philippines has undergone a significant transition that establishes a direction of change that will shape our nation for years to come,” said Cuisia.
Article continues after this advertisement“Reforms in the political and economic arena are bearing fruit and the President’s continued high approval ratings are a testament to the people’s trust and satisfaction in his administration. I look forward to another fruitful year, one filled with peace and blessings,” he added.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. was also upbeat, expressing his optimism on microblogging site Twitter.
“I want 2013 to be even stronger for US-Philippines alliance. It’s going to be a great year,” Thomas said.
The United States is among the Philippines’ strongest allies and has been supporting government’s defense and law enforcement programs, disaster preparedness, mitigation and response, human rights promotion and antitrafficking initiatives, among others.
In its yearend report, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) credited the Philippines’ relations with the US in upgrading the Philippines’ military and police forces through new equipment and training.
Partnership with US
“The Department continued to engage its international partners in helping the country improve its defense capability and achieve a minimum credible defense posture. Vital to this engagement is the Philippines’ strategic and defense partnership with the United States, which affirmed its commitment to honor its obligation under the Mutual Defense Treaty,” said the DFA report.
As the Philippines’ leading defense partner, the United States this year doubled its funding commitment from $15 million to $30 million under its Foreign Military Financing program. The allocation was programmed to support the Philippines in the areas of “maritime security, maritime domain awareness and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.”
The United States is also among the biggest donors to victims of disasters in the Philippines, most recently Typhoon “Pablo,” which hit eastern Mindanao.
The US government has pledged nearly P300 million to the Philippines for emergency assistance in hard-hit communities in Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Negros Oriental.
The amount is on top of rice supply and transport assistance being provided by the United States Agency for International Development and the US military to Philippine authorities.
