RP welcomes US House resolution supporting disaster relief efforts

RP welcomes US House resolution supporting disaster relief efforts
GMANews.TV
GMANews.TV - Friday, October 16

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The Philippine government welcomed on Thursday a resolution filed in the United States House of Representatives urging the US federal government to support local relief efforts to help victims of two consecutive weather disturbances that hit the country in the past weeks. Malacaňang on Thursday expressed gratitude for US House Resolution 800 filed by California 12th District Rep. Jackie Speier in the US Congress, which calls on US President Barack Obama to continue assisting the Philippines in its efforts to address the deaths and damage to property caused by tropical storm “Ondoy" (Ketsana) and typhoon “Pepeng" (Parma). "We are very happy and thankful for the resolution," deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. Fajardo said the move was also very timely since President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo recently appealed to rich countries to assist the Philippines in rehabilitation and relief efforts after rains brought by Ondoy and Pepeng caused massive damage to infrastructure, agriculture and private property. She also said she hopes that Obama and the US government will "heed" Speier’s call and pass the resolution. "If it will be successful, it will be a start of a good move that will make other countries follow as well," she said. The Department of Foreign Affairs also thanked Speier and the rest of the international community for their efforts in extending help to those affected by the twin cyclones that devastated the country. “We are grateful to Representative Speier and other friends for their support and solidarity with our people during these difficult times," Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ed Malaya said in a separate interview. But Philippine House of Representatives Speaker Prospero Nograles said it would have been better if Speier’s resolution directed actual financial support to the government in its relief efforts. “Thanks but better with appropriations. It will be more meaningful and will help us out," Nograles said in a text message sent to GMANews.TV. Speier introduced in the US Congress on October 6 the resolution entitled “Expressing sympathy for the citizens of the Philippines dealing with Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma," encouraging the US government to work closely with Philippine officials to improve the country’s disaster mitigation techniques. The resolution, which garnered 39 co-sponsors in a day’s time, also urged the US government help in relief efforts in the Philippines in terms of logistical, transportation and financial assistance. Speier’s resolution is scheduled for a vote on Wednesday (Thursday past midnight in Manila).

The US Embassy had earlier offered an initial relief aid of US100,000 and sent its military servicemen, along with their boats and choppers to help in rescue operations for victims of the two tropical cyclones. – Aie See, Jam Sisante and Joseph Ubalde, GMANews.TV