House of Representatives Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez led Lower House lawmakers in expressing gratitude to the United States for the 75 years of diplomatic and bilateral relations on Wednesday, October 13.
Speaking during the meeting launching the US-Philippines Congressional Friendship Caucus at the US Embassy in Manila, Romualdez welcomed the US partnership, investments, friendship, and assistance, including the COVID-19 vaccine doses donated to the country.
Romualdez said that the US-Philippine relations may be identified by historical and cultural linkages and a shared commitment to democracy and human rights which expanded through bilateral cooperation in many areas, such as defense and security, trade and commerce, and culture and education.
“In behalf of the House of Representatives under Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the United States for all its support for the Philippines,” Romualdez said during the event, stressing that the Lower House adopted House Resolution No. 65 expressing its appreciation to the US as well as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for its assistance to the country.
“It gives me great pleasure to join you this morning, knowing fully well the contributions that the United States has provided in strengthening the partnership with the Philippine government. Truly, I am delighted to see all of you, still hale and hearty, despite the public health crisis gripping the globe today,” added Romualdez.
Heather Variava, ad interim chargé d’affaires in the U.S. Embassy, gave Romualdez a plaque of appreciation for the Lower House in honor of the establishment of the US-Philippines Congressional Friendship Caucus.
Romualdez also acknowledged the contribution of US multinational companies, especially in the government’s efforts to revive the Philippine economy affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“May the United States continue to be with us every step of the way as a partner in our recovery efforts. With you as our partner in nation-building, I know we will not fail,” added Romualdez, noting that lawmakers have been exerting their efforts to ease doing business in the country and make a business environment that would foster economic growth.
The US facilitated the donation of more than 26.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the country through the US government partnership with COVAX.
This includes more than 8.8 million doses donated by the American nation. The US partnership with COVAX will provide enough vaccines to fully vaccinate 22 million Filipinos, which is 20 percent of the population.
In addition to vaccine donations, the US has provided more than $39 million in COVID-19 assistance to the Philippines. This assistance includes donations of new ventilators, ICU beds, isolation tents, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
The event which aims to strengthen the US relations with the country, especially in the Legislative branch, was graced by Variava, Benjamin Barry, Political Officer in US Embassy Manila; John Groch, incoming US Public Affairs Chief in US Embassy Manila; USAID Philippines Office of Health Director Michelle Lang-Alli, Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr., Deputy Majority Leader and Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, Deputy Speaker and Deputy Majority Leader Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc of Pampanga, Deputy Minority Leader and Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, Magsasaka partylist Argel Joseph Cabatbat, Isabela Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, and Cagayan Rep. Samantha Louise Vargas Alfonso.
Those who joined via Zoom were Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Senators Richard Gordon and Francis Tolentino, and Representatives Amihilda Sangcopan, Florida “Rida” Robes, Raneo Abu, Xavier Jesus Romualdo, Alfred Delos Santos, Cristal Bagatsing, Strike Revilla, Jericho “Koko” Nograles, Bong Suntay, Rosa Marie Arenas, Evelina Escudero, Estrellita Suansing, Francisco Benitez, Greg Gasataya, among others.
More than four million Filipino-Americans live in the US and more than 350,000 US citizens are residing in the Philippines. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 650,000 US citizens visited the country each year.
At least 350 Filipinos and Americans participate in US-sponsored exchange programs each year. The US and the Philippines have conducted exchange programs for 70 years, and there are more than 8,000 Filipino alumni of US exchange programs.
Fulbright Philippines, the oldest running Fulbright program worldwide, has almost 3,300 Filipinos currently studying at US universities.
The US is also one of the Philippines' top three trading partners and Security Alliance, a US company, is the largest private employer in the country. Last year, the country received $161.6 million in new foreign direct investment from the US.
This year, the US and the Philippines are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty and since 2015, the US has provided the country more than $1 billion in military equipment where the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) was responsible for more than 300 military engagements with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) each year, including expert exchanges and major training exercises.
In 2019, the US completed construction of its first major project under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief warehouse used to store equipment and supplies critical to both nations ability to quickly and effectively respond to humanitarian crises in the region. (Melvin Sarangay)