2024 MAY - JULY HIGHLIGHTS

Raising Awareness of Today's Philippines in the U.S.

2024 MAY - JULY

HIGHLIGHTS

A new decade of enriching PH and US ties

STRENGTHENING LONG-TERM U.S. AND PHILIPPINES BILATERAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS

Following through the Leaders' Commitment during a White House meeting in April, the U.S. and the Philippines sustained an elevated momentum of engagements in key sectors that include the digital economy, semiconductors and critical minerals supply chain, renewable and nuclear energy, space technology, and professional and academic exchanges that foster innovation, new investment opportunities, and collective ability to tackle global challenges including the climate crisis and protection of marine ecosystems.

Priority initiatives were launched at the 6th Indo-Pacific Business Forum held on May 21 in Manila. USTDA awarded a grant to Filipino company Responsible Internet Sustainability Effort, Inc. (RISE) for a feasibility study that will assist internet service providers in the Philippines with a goal of expanding carrier-neutral internet exchange infrastructure. USTDA has also approved funding to support the modernization and buildout of electricity transmission and distribution networks in the Philippines by bringing a delegation of government officials and private sector utilities to the U.S. to observe innovations and best practices in smart grid technologies.

The U.S. is supportive of the Philippines' interest in establishing a legal framework for the development and peaceful use of nuclear energy sources. Manila was chosen as its Southeast Asian headquarters for the US Civil Nuclear Industry Working Group. On July 18, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission chairman Christopher Hanson met with PH Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and officials of Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) to discuss the country’s priorities. He also visited the Makati Medical Center to explore medical uses of radioactive materials, particularly in cancer care.

Professional and academic exchanges were carried out to advance cooperation in Outer Space technology, address export controls and border security, and train officials at the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue in building Computer Emergency Response against hacker’s targeting.

During the July TIFA meeting in Washington, the U.S. and the Philippines discussed a broad range of bilateral trade and investment issues, including agriculture, labor, government procurement, intellectual property, environment, automotive safety standards, and supply chains.

MAY - JULY 2024

Strengthening Long-Term US-PH Bilateral Economic Relations

Advancing Rules-based International Order and Shared Vision for Peaceful, Open and Free Indo-Pacific

Bangsamoro Grassroots Peace-Building Initiatives

A Showcase of Philippine Heritage in DC

Update on PLDT US Initiatives

A Perspective on Philippine Political Affairs

New U.S. Commercial Officer at Embassy Manila

Defense Diplomacy in Asia

Modernization of School Computers in Pampanga

Video Documentary

Video: United States and Philippines: An Enduring Friendship

Thank you to our new and renewing members!

Membership Information available online or by contacting US-Philippines Society at info@usphilsociety.org

ADVANCING RULES-BASED INTERNATIONAL ORDER AND SHARED VISION FOR A FREE AND OPEN INDOPACIFIC

Photo: U.S.-PH Two+Two Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue with Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary Antony Blinken, Secretary Enrique Manalo and Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. Manila, 30 July 2024. Photo courtesy of US Embassy in Manila.

Security and Defense

The U.S. and Philippines announced security and defense deliverables to operationalize President Marcos's and President Biden's "shared vision of partnership, peace, and prosperity," at the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held in Manila on July 30.

Both countries reaffirmed support for "unimpeded lawful commerce and full respect for international law, including freedom of navigation and overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea." These shared democratic principles represent a bedrock of the US-PH relationship under both the Biden and Trump administrations.

Notable and concrete actions include U.S. Congress bipartisan-supported allocation of USD $500 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF), implementing the Philippines-Security Sector Assistance Roadmap (P-SSAR), additional $125 million U.S investments in EDCA agreed locations, agreement on General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) by the end of 2024, and expanding operational coordination with other likeminded partners, including Australia and Japan.

In Manila, Secretary Antony Blinken announced US$1 million humanitarian assistance to Philippine communities affected by severe flooding and landslides triggered by recent typhoon conditions. Concluding his Philippine visit, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin toured the Cerberus Agila Subic Shipyard, the anticipated future home of a Hyundai Corporation shipbuilding and repair facility.

Photo of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left), President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the courtesy call at Malacañan, July 30, 2024.

BANGSAMORO GRASSROOTS PEACEBUILDING INITIATIVES AND 2025 ELECTIONS

Photo (l-r) Andrew Mines (USIP), Bill Campbell (I Squared Capital), Executive Director Hank Hendrickson, PBGen Wilson Joseph Lopez, President Emeritus Amb John F. Maisto, Brian Harding (USIP), Aliah Adam (USIP Fellow), Ambassador Thomas Hubbard, DCM Jaime Ascalon, Minister Donna Rodriguez (PH Embassy), Jerome Enorme (PH Embassy), Suzanne McCourt (Australian Embassy), Korey McLeod (State Department), and Duncan Donnay (National Endowment for Democracy), 20 June 2024. Washington DC.

At a June 20 Roundtable, peace advocate and USIP fellow Aliah Adam provided first hand account of grassroots initiatives to address challenges to the Bangsamoro peace process, self-determination and regional autonomy. With the Philippine National government's support, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority and MILF leaders and rebel forces have committed to foundational tasks of laying the groundwork to establish a parliamentary form of government and its first democratic elections in May 2025.

In his July State of the Nation address, President Marcos stated the government's commitment to "honor and fully comply with its remaining deliverables and commitments under these agreements." The region's poverty incidence has declined rapidly alongside the founding of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BARMM) and diminished conflict. Adam observed that despite gains, the most vulnerable communities in the most conflicted areas remain under extreme poverty due to lack of jobs, access to electricity, and access to reliable government information to counter extremist propaganda. More needs to be done in the normalization track, specifically the disarmament of former rebel MILF forces and the transformation of guerrilla camps into productive communities. The important participation by civil society representing women, minorities and indigenous peoples in the democratic process will sustain the momentum toward sustainable peace. Read more

A SHOWCASE OF PHILIPPINE HERITAGE IN WASHINGTON

The US-Philippines Society participated in the Philippine Embassy's hosting of the May 4 Around the World Embassy Tour welcoming thousands of visitors in the Embassy grounds. During the open house, Filipino American diaspora groups performed folk dances including the popular Tinikling with bamboo sticks, dance of floral garland, and kudiman folk songs. It was also an opportune time to recognize generations of Filipinos and Filipino Americans along with Asian Americans who enrich American Society through diversity in culture and demonstrated work ethic. Authors Erwin Tiongson and Kate Baker provided historical anecdotes about lives of Filipinos and Americans and their contributions to communities in host countries. Erwin Tiongson shared the remarkable influence of Sofia Reyes De Veyra, a Filipina advocate for women’s rights who was a resident of Washington DC. Throughout the month of May, major cities in the United States celebrated Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Read more

Visitors eagerly participated in Tinikling dance.

Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez and DCM Jaime Ascalon with USPHS President Emeritus Ambassador John Maisto, Tina Maisto, and book authors Erwin Tiongson and Kate Baker who engaged the American audience at the Around the World Embassy Tour.

Historical Sites in Georgetown linking PH-US

Philippine American Heritage tour led by POPDC co-founder Prof Erwin Tiongson with Aliah Adam visiting fellow at USIP, Consul Mark Lim of the Philippine Embassy, Tina Maynigo, and Executive Director Hank Hendrickson. Fr Danny Huang SJ, member of the GU board of trustees and theology professor in Rome also joined the walking tour. The June 7 tour included sites at Georgetown University, highlighting connections between GU and the Philippines.

Update on PLDT US Initiatives

PLDT Global Corporation led by President Albert V. Villa-Real discussed developments and expansion plans of the PLDT group including the completion of its largest data center, VITRO Sta. Rosa, Philippines which covers about five hectares of land to meet demand for data storage of critical assets of both public and private sectors and anticipate the future requirements of hyperscalers as they adopt to cloud and artificial intelligence technologies.

A Perspective on Philippine Political Affairs

US-Philippines Society President Emeritus Amb John Maisto led a June 24 discussion on South China Sea and other issues with former Malacañang official and political analyst Ronald Llames.

Welcoming New U.S. Commercial Officer

On July 25, US-Philippines Society Executive Director Hank Hendrickson welcomed incoming Commercial Officer John Kim and Commerce Department PH Desk Officer Elliott Brewer for discussions of trade and investment priorities. John Kim will handle key trade and investment in the infrastructure and security sectors. He will join the US Embassy Manila Commercial Section in September.

Defense Diplomacy in Asia

Executive Director Hank Hendrickson and Bridge Asia Group Managing Partner Lt. Col. (ret.) Andre Rivier discussed advancing US-PH bilateral relations and U.S. defense operational strategies in Asia fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific, July 29 Washington DC.

MODERNIZATION OF SCHOOL COMPUTERS IN PAMPANGA

Photos (t-b): Several groups of students with new and upgraded computers. Jason Landers of S&C Electric attended a May turnover ceremony with School Principal and teachers who are shown standing in front of one of several new large screen classroom monitors at Sto. Rosario National School, Philippines.

Following the MOU signed during the February 28 visit by the US-Philippines Society delegation, S&C Electric Company, with assistance of Communications Electrical Equipment & Supply Co., Inc. (CELEASCO), delivered in April, 30 new computers and TV monitors to Sto. Rosario National High School in Pampanga, Philippines. Recipients at the school responded with gratitude. A formal thank you and plaque presentation was held in May, after all the computers were installed. The technology assistance by S&C Electric and the Starlink digital connectivity, an initiative by Roberto Llames and Gerardo Borromeo will aid in fully harnessing the benefits of digital learning and other applications including weather alerts, for more than 1,000 students and teachers at these remote schools.

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