U.S. Embassy Photo Release
March 16, 2007

 

Ambassador Kenney Dedicates School Repaired by U.S.-RP Militaries in Legazpi
During Visit of USS Comstock

No where was the long-term friendship and partnership of the United States and Philippines more evident than at Rawis Elementary School in Legazpi City today.  The school was built by U.S. and Philippine forces during the annual Balikatan bilateral military exercises in 1973, and today it was re-dedicated by U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney after a team of U.S. and Philippine Marines and Sailors partnered once again to repair the school, which was severely damaged during Typhoons Reming and Milenyo in late 2006.    

The U.S. Marines and Sailors are visiting Legazpi on the USS Comstock, a U.S. Navy ship that arrived in the Bicol Region on March 12 to deliver nearly 10,000 pounds of donated goods such as clothes, toys, food, and medical supplies; provide free health clinics for citizens who are still homeless; and conduct engineering projects to repair, improve, and clean schools and evacuation centers.

Ambassador Kenney dedicated the newly repaired Rawis Elementary School in a short ceremony that included songs from the students and remarks from senior U.S. and Philippine military officials.  The construction work the two militaries completed this week includes repairing the roof, which was blown off by Typhoon Reming; installing new ceilings; adding walls, windows, and doors; and painting. 

Pictured above putting a dedication plaque onto the newly repaired school are Albay Province Vice Governor Jesus B. Calisin; Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal; Ambassador Kenney; Senator Richard Gordon, Chairman, Philippine National Red Cross; and U.S. Brigadier General Joseph Medina, U.S. Marines.  The new plaque is directly beneath the original dedication plaque from more than 30 years ago.

“It’s been a tremendous week for U.S. Military members working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Red Cross, and other volunteers,” said Ambassador Kenney.  “It’s a real team effort because we feel for the people of this area and we want to help them get back on their feet.”

During her visit to Legazpi, Ambassador Kenney also turned over 12 pallets of goods on behalf of Project Handclasp and the U.S. Navy to the Philippine National Red Cross for communities affected by typhoons.  The goods donated to families in Bicol include medical supplies, clothing, toys, hygiene kits, and sports equipment. 

Families staying at an evacuation center at Tagas Elementary School received free medical care during a day-long program created by the USS Comstock, the AFP, and local officials.  Families received free care such as immunizations, general health checkups, and minor procedures.  Ambassador Kenney and senior military officials toured the free clinic and evacuation center to meet local residents. 

The humanitarian visit of the USS Comstock is part of Operation Goodwill, which was created in 2003 by U.S. Marines and Sailors and their families in Okinawa to show appreciation to the Philippine people for welcoming them during annual bilateral exercises.  The U.S. Marines have returned each year since then with donations of toys and supplies from their families for Filipino children and communities over the holiday season.

In December 2006 and January 2007, U.S. Marines and Sailors from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade visited the Philippines as part of their ongoing Operation Goodwill program to distribute more than 50,000 pounds of food, healthcare items, clothes, and sporting goods; 10,000 toys; and nearly 1 million pesos to communities and charitable groups in Northern Luzon, Palawan, Negros, Zamboanga, Leyte and Legaspi.

“During my visit to Legazpi in January, I was heartened to see that the warm and optimistic spirit of local citizens remained strong," said Ambassador Kenney, who has visited the area three times.  "The American people are hopeful that their friends in Bicol will soon fully recover from the typhoons and mudslides of 2006, and I’m proud that our U.S. Military servicemembers return so often to this region to partner with the AFP in assistance programs for Filipino families here."

 

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