U.S. Embassy Photo Release
July 12, 2007
American People Assist in Building New City Square in Cotabato;
U.S. Ambassador Kenney Inaugurates Complex During Visit
Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney traveled to Cotabato City on July 9-10, where she joined Mayor Muslemin Sema and Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana, Chairman, MEDCo, to inaugurate the new Cotabato City Square. The American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) worked with the local government to build this new central market and business area, which will be a place for thousands of residents to shop, do business, and get medical care.
Pictured above cutting the ribbon in the entrance to the Cotabato City Square are (L to R) Acting USAID Mission Director Daniel Moore; Bai Sandra A. Sema, First Lady of Cotabato City; Ambassador Kenney; City Councilor Froilan Melendres; Mayor Muslemin Sema; and City Councilor Abdullah Andong.
The Cotabato City Square is part of a new government center and town complex planned by the local government to decongest the central business district. It will serve the six adjoining urban barangays, with a total population of about 31,000.
“I’ve always thought of Cotabato City as a center of commerce, industry, and innovation, and now that I’ve seen for myself the great products produced by entrepreneurs here, I know there is going to be a lot to showcase in this wonderful building,” said Ambassador Kenney during the inauguration ceremony. “It is part of the peaceful future of Cotabato City, and it is wonderful to be a part of that.”
Through USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, the American people assisted in constructing the commercial building that serves as the new city square. The building has a two-story entrance hall with administrative offices and comfort rooms, plus 60 one-story stalls for businesses that surround an open square. The U.S. Government also helped fund interior roads, drainage and sewerage facilities, potable water and electrical lines, perimeter fence and vehicle parking area, installation of lighting facilities, landscaping, perimeter fence, walkways and a paved parking area.
The American people have many other ongoing programs and partnerships in the Cotabato area, ranging from environmental support to livelihood development. The Ambassador toured many of these project sites during her two-day visit to Cotabato City.
In the city’s Barangay Kalangan 2, Ambassador Kenney turned over a boat landing built by the U.S. Government at the request of local officials so farmers, fishermen, and traders can have a more efficient and safer water transport system. The American people through USAID have built almost 900 roads, bridges, drainage ditches, ports, and other infrastructure buildings in Mindanao.
At a regional summit on environmental governance for Islamic leaders, Ambassador Kenney, Mayor Sema, and Secretary Kabuntalan P. Emblawa of the DENR-ARMM launched a source book called “Al Khalifa” that guides Muslim communities on how to improve management of forests, coasts, and solid and liquid wastes. USAID worked with local Islamic leaders and scholars to write the book.
Ambassador Kenney also gave the keynote address at the Women’s Forum on Poverty Reduction, a gathering of Mindanao’s female leaders to address issues of poverty, environmental degradation, and conflict.
On behalf of Project Handclasp, a San Diego-based charity, Ambassador Kenney and Commodore Bruce Stewart of the USS Peleliu’s Pacific Partnership mission donated to the Mindanao Emergency Response Network 15 pallets of goods for distribution to needy communities. The goods being donated to Philippine families include medical supplies, toys and children’s items, and hygiene supplies.
The USS Peleliu, a U.S. Navy ship, has been in the Philippines for the last month 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.
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