AMERICA, through U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced an additional $5.2 million in disaster relief and recovery assistance to the Philippines, upping the US aid to almost $20 M since three storms ravaged most parts of Luzon.
According to Secretary Clinton, the additional assistance will meet vital education, water and sanitation, health, and disaster preparedness needs of the country.
Secretary Clinton visits the Philippines on a two-day trip to show solidarity with the Filipino people in the wake of Tropical Storm Ketsana (local name Ondoy), Typhoon Parma (Pepeng), and Typhoon Mirinae (Santi), which have affected over 10 million people and claimed almost a thousand lives.
In Marikina, Secretary Clinton visited Malanday High School, in one of the areas hardest hit by the floods. The school lies next to the Marikina River, which overflowed onto the school grounds.
Secretary Clinton, along with U.S. Ambassador Christie Kenney, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral, and Marikina Mayor Fernando opened a Book Fair.
The American Brother’s Brother Foundation, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), donated 50,000 reading books to Malanday High School and Elementary School teachers.
The teachers were able to select books along with other materials donated by USAID, such as desks and ceiling fans, to gain a new start after the floods.
The Malanday High School, Elementary School and Health Clinic are part of the U.S. Embassy’s Community Partnership Program.
Last weekend over 100 U.S. Embassy employees and family members worked side by side with Malanday community members to repair the schools and Health Clinic.
The Community Partnership Program is a long-term initiative of the U.S. Embassy to participate in the local community as neighbors who work together to improve the health and vitality of Metro Manila. (PIA)