Ambasador Kenney in Tawi-Tawi

by Frencie Carreon · Mon Aug 7 09:28:11 2006

Assistance from the American people is helping to improve local economies and education for residents in some of the Philippines ' most remote regions.

U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney visited one such place, the island of Tawi-Tawi in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, on July 27 to inaugurate projects that were made possible by U.S. assistance.

While in Tawi-Tawi, the lady ambassador led the inauguration ceremonies of the Bongao Port, which was upgraded as part of a joint U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and World Bank project that extended the pier to accommodate larger vessels. A stairway was likewise built at the Port for easy passenger access, and a passenger terminal building was constructed.

Joining Ambassador Kenney were World Bank program manager Mary Judd and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Secretary Jesus Dureza.

Ambassador Kenney also met with local government officials; turned over computers and equipment at Notre Dame of Bongao High School that will provide access to the Interne. She then visited the Qudwa Cooperative for Women, which the American people have supported through the donation of sewing machines.

The US Envoy then proceeded to Mindanao State University in Bongao, where she met with alumni of U.S.-sponsored exchange programs that have helped bring students and residents of Tawi-Tawi to the United States on programs relating to conflict resolution, inter-ethnic dialogue and youth development.

UNDERSTANDING THE FIGHT VS TERROR

Campus journalists from public and private high schools in Zamboanga City, along with their English moderators and campus publication advisers, attended the symposium on Counter-Terrorism and Drug Prevention organized by the Mein College Language Center last July 29.

The young writers attended the lectures of Joshua Santos of the United States Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines' (JSOTFP) Military Information Support Team (MIST), and representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office. Information materials were given by the MIST and the Kiwanis Club of Metro Zamboanga to the participants to augment the data provided by the lecturers.
The campus journalists likewise received backpacks from JSOTFP. Accompanying Santos was Bryan Adams who delighted the young audience during the simulated press conference. A student-journalist from Mercedes National High School asked Adams what he thought of the on-going war between Israel and Lebanon, to which the American soldier replied, "I don't watch war on television. I watch Captain Barbell." The response received laughter and applause. (Captain Barbell is a daily fantasy-telemovie shown on GMA TV).

During the workshops, the students wrote their thoughts on the terrorism problem in southern Philippines, and the rise of insurgents in southeastern Mindanao and Luzon.

The US forces are in the Philippines for a continuing series of humanitarian programs that are implemented in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly with Southern Command, under Project Bayanihan. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its several programs, has been providing assistance in education, environment, peace, among others.

As the week commences, let us ponder on what Jesse Jackson once said: "Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up."