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U.S. Ambassador Kenney Visits Iloilo, Guimaras: Focuses on U.S. Programs to Benefit Region

U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney visited Iloilo and Guimaras on May 21. During her trip, she visited the annual Manggahan Festival with Guimaras Governor J.C. Rahman Nava, where she saw the wide variety of mango and other products from Guimaras that are being sold domestically and exported to the United States. Pictured above are the Ambassador and Governor Nava visiting a booth during the festival.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has very active programs in Iloilo and Guimaras to help small farmers improve their livelihood, develop the dairy industry, and conduct research on mangoes. Ambassador Kenney toured the Bureau of Plant and Industry's National Mango Research and Development Center (NMRDC) on Guimaras Island, a laboratory that received a $2 million grant from the USDA to conduct research on pest management. Pictured above, Dr. Hernani Golez, NMRDC chief (left), describes to Ambassador Kenney and Guimaras Governor Nava the type of research conducted at the center and its results.
At the Bureau of Plant and Industry's National Mango Research and Development Center (NMRDC) on Guimaras Island, Ambassador Kenney practiced harvesting mangoes in the center's mango grove. She also received a briefing about the mango industry and saw some of the research being conducted at the center. The U.S. Government has long had many important partnerships and initiatives in Iloilo and Guimaras in areas as widely varied as agriculture, livelihood, and education.
Young dancers at the Manggahan Festival in Guimaras entertained Ambassador Kenney during her May 21 visit to Guimaras and Iloilo. The ambassador visited the region to tour U.S.-sponsored programs, meet U.S. Peace Corps volunteers, and open a U.S. Embassy-sponsored soccer clinic for youth.
Ambassador Kenney visited the Nueva Valencia School on Guimaras Island, where a Peace Corps Volunteer teaches environmental education. During her two years at the school, the volunteer created an organic garden, started an Eco Club for students, and taught the community about recycling. Pictured above are Ambassador Kenney with the Peace Corps Volunteer and the students in her environmental education classes.
A Peace Corps Volunteer working at Nueva Valencia School on Guimaras Island taught the students and teachers about respecting and protecting the environment. The school declared itself "clean and green" through the many projects initiated by the Peace Corps for the students, including the creation of a school-wide recycling program.
Ambassador Kenney officially and literally "kicked off" a youth soccer clinic in Iloilo on May 21. A U.S. Embassy program brought two American soccer champions - one a Filipino-American - to the Philippines to share their passion for the sport. The two professional female players, serving as Sports Envoys for the U.S., are hosting clinics for youths and coaches in partnership with the Philippine Football Federation (PFF). Pictured above are Sports Envoy Tiffany Roberts; Sports Envoy Linda Hamilton; Ambassador Kenney; Philippine Women's National Team member Marilou Rubio; Pablito V. Araneta, General Secretary, PFF; and Duffie B. Botavara of the Iloilo Football Federation during the opening ceremony of the clinic in Iloilo on May 21.
The visit of two American soccer champions to the Philippines is part of the World Cup Soccer Sports Initiative, a unique program that brings American soccer professionals overseas to hold clinics for both youth and coaches. The American soccer professionals serve as Sports Envoys for the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Pictured above are Sports Envoy Tiffany Roberts; Ambassador Kenney; Sports Envoy Linda Hamilton; Philippine Women's National Team member Marilou Rubio; Pablito V. Araneta, General Secretary, Philippine Football Federation; and Duffie B. Botavara of the Iloilo Football Federation during the opening ceremony of a clinic in Iloilo on May 21. Ambassador Kenney handed over the first soccer ball to the PFF to officially begin the clinic. The U.S. is donating all of the soccer balls used during the clinics to the PFF for distribution to youth programs throughout the country.

Last Update :: 05/23/2007

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