U.S. Embassy Photo Release

July 6, 2007

 

 

U.S. Ambassador Kenney Opens U.S. Navy Humanitarian Projects in Bicol

on Philippine-American Friendship Day

 

 

 

Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney traveled to the Bicol Region on July 4 during the humanitarian visit of the USS Peleliu, a U.S. Navy ship in the Philippines on a goodwill mission to provide free health clinics for citizens; build and improve housing, schools, and emergency shelters; and deliver donated goods such as clothes, toys, food, and medical supplies.

 

         Accompanying the Ambassador was U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Douglas Crowder, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, who last visited the Philippines during the goodwill mission of the USS Blue Ridge in February 2007. 

 

         On behalf of Project Handclasp, a San Diego-based charity, Ambassador Kenney and Admiral Crowder donated to the Simon of Cyrene Children's Rehabilitation and Development Foundation 51 pallets of goods for distribution to communities in the Bicol Region.  The donated goods include medical supplies, clothing, bedding, food, kitchen supplies, sewing machines, toys, and sports equipment.  Accepting the donation was Dr. Maria Luz Macasinag, President of Simon of Cyrene (center).

 

Ambassador Kenney and Admiral Crowder also cut the ribbon on the first homes to be completed at the Honest Anislag Transition Center in Daraga, Albay during a construction project of the U.S. Navy and Armed Forces of the Philippines during the USS Peleliu’s visit.  More than 50 U.S. Navy Sailors partnered with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Daughters of Charity, Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul to build 35 houses for families left homeless by the 2006 typhoons.  Pictured above are Ambassador Kenney and Admiral Crowder with a family who is receiving one of the houses.

 

            The Ambassador and Admiral co-hosted an evening reception in Bicol onboard the USS Peleliu on July 4 to celebrate both the American Independence Day and Philippine-American Friendship Day.  Guests were treated to a traditional 4^th of July meal of hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecued chicken, and ice cream, and enjoyed music by a U.S. Marine Corps band. 

 

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