Manila, October 16, 2019 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines will host its second National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Apps Challenge from October 18 to 20. This year, the Embassy is bringing this global event to Davao and Iloilo, in collaboration with the American Corners in Ateneo de Davao University, Central Philippine …
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Manila, October 15, 2019 — The Calamianes Resilience Network, with the support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Calamianes Marine Protected Area Network, hosted the first environmental law enforcement summit in Coron, Palawan from October 10 to 11. The summit drew more than 100 representatives from the national and local governments, …
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Manila, October 12, 2019 — 21 Sandiganbayan justices participated in a roundtable with U.S. experts organized by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines U.S. Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (DOJ/OPDAT), the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and the Philippine Judicial Academy. The event aimed to enhance participants’ capabilities, competencies …
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Manila, October 11, 2019 — As part of our deepening bilateral counterterrorism partnership, today, Philippine Police Chief General Oscar Albayalde and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim broke ground on a new state-of-the-art Regional Counterterrorism Training Center in the Philippines. The U.S. and Philippine governments will construct and operate the center on the grounds …
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(L-R): USAID Fish Right Chief of Party Nygiel Armada, NGOs for Fisheries Reform Director Gregorio dela Rosa, Philippine Association of Crab Processors President Ken Choi, Saravia Blue Crab President Alfonso Gamboa, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries Eduardo Gongona, and USAID Philippines Environment Chief John Edgar participate in an MOU-signing ceremony to expand export potential of the …
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NASA’s P-3B science aircraft soared into the skies over the Philippines on Sunday to begin a nearly two-month-long investigation on the impact that smoke from fires and pollution have on clouds, a key factor in improving weather and climate forecasts. The Cloud, Aerosol, and Monsoon Processes Philippines Experiment (CAMP2Ex) is the most comprehensive field campaign …
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Manila, July 31, 2019 — As part of its continuing commitment to improve education outcomes for Filipino youth, the U.S. government today launched the Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines (ABC+) project to support Department of Education (DepEd) efforts to strengthen the quality of education in the Philippines. U.S. Chargé d’Affaires John Law and representatives …
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Manila, July 2, 2019 — The USS Montgomery, an Independence-class littoral combat ship, departed Davao City on July 1. This was the ship’s first port visit to the Philippines during her first deployment. During the visit, Montgomery hosted local military and civic leaders for an evening reception to celebrate the U.S.-Philippine alliance. U.S. Embassy in …
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Manila, June 24, 2019 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines conducted a border security training with 19 officers from the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Coast Guard from June 17 to 21. The training provided participants with a thorough understanding of the targeting and risk management process to help identify high-risk …
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Davao City, June 21, 2019 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines partnered with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and the International Justice Mission (IJM) to train 60 prosecutors and investigators in combatting online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) from June 17 to 20 in Davao City. The training was implemented through the U.S. …
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Davao, June 19, 2019 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines commends the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) for the arrest of a U.S. citizen fugitive in Davao. The successful arrest occurred in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers in Manila and Connecticut, as well as the Department of State Assistant Regional Security Office/ …
Read More» Antipolo City, May 31, 2019 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines commends the Philippine National Police (PNP)-HSI Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit (TCIU) and the PNP Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) for the arrest of Philippine citizen Kechelle Abayon and the rescue of five children in Antipolo City. The coordinated effort was successful thanks in …
Read More» Manila, May 27, 2019 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines commends the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit (TCIU), in collaboration with the PNP Women and Children Protection Center and the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI), for the arrest of a U.S. citizen and the rescue of a child. …
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Manila, June 18, 2019 — The U.S. government launched a partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) June 18 to accelerate the transition to a sustainable, secure, and market-driven energy sector in Asia. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Asia Bureau Acting Assistant Administrator Gloria Steele and ADB Strategy, Policy, and Review Department Director General …
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Members of the Kangiginawae Ko Masa organization receive a grant certificate from USAID Acting Mission Director Patrick Wesner (third from right) and Task Force Bangon Marawi Field Office Manager Assistant Secretary Felix Castro, Jr. (second from right) during the community grants handover event in Marawi City. Marawi City, June 17, 2019 — As part of …
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Manila, May 17, 2019 — The U.S. government and Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) launched YouthWorks PH Recruitment Drive, part of a five-year, Php1.8 billion public-private partnership to provide life skills and employability workshops for at least 20,000 unemployed, out-of-school youth ages 18-24. YouthWorks PH will connect youth to work-based training opportunities. U.S. Ambassador to …
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South China Sea, May 15, 2019 — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) and vessels from the Philippine Coast Guard conducted joint search-and-rescue exercises on May 14. The Bertholf, a 418-foot National Security Cutter based in Alameda, California, trained with the Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessels BRP Batangas and BRP Kalanggaman on small …
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Manila, May 15, 2019 — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) arrived in Manila, Philippines for the first visit by a U.S. cutter to the country in over 7 years. The visit follows a bilateral exercise with the Philippine Coast Guard on May 14 in which Bertholf and Philippine San Juan-class patrol vessel …
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Manila, May 3, 2019 — The U.S. and Philippine governments celebrated the successful conclusion of the six-year, Php832-million Mindanao Youth for Development (MYDev) project. The partnership between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Education (DepEd), and 11 local government units across Mindanao expanded access …
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Manila, April 11, 2019 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines partnered with the Office of the Ombudsman to train 35 anti-graft investigators and prosecutors on cyber investigations and digital evidence from March 27 to 28. The training was implemented through the U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. DOJ) Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and …
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Seated, from left to right: Supreme Court Associate Justices Rosemari Carandang, Andres Reyes Jr., Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Antonio Carpio, Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, Associate Justices Mariano Del Castillo, Marvic Leonen, Alexander Gesmundo, and Amy Lazaro-Javier. Standing, from left to right: Court Administrator Midas Marquez, U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. DOJ) Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, …
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(Left to right) Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Lt. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay, commanding general of the Southern Luzon Command and exercise co-director; Department of National Defense Undersecretary Cardozo M. Luna; Ambassador Kim; Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., Chief of Staff of the AFP; and U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Christopher A. McPhillips, commanding …
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Tagbilaran City officials at Tagbilaran City’s World Water Day celebration, led by Mayor John Geesnell Yap (fifth from left) and joined by USAID representatives Marian Cruz-Navata (fourth from left) and Bernadette Cariaga (second from left). With USAID assistance, the city government has improved water services, including upgrading water pipes and the metering system. Tagbilaran City, …
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Pampanga, March 18, 2019 — U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Manila Police District/Special Operations Unit (SOU), and the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI)/Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) arrested a U.S. fugitive wanted on child pornography-related charges in Angeles City, Pampanga on March 16. The successful operation was a result of …
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Manila, March 8, 2019 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT), partnered with the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) to train 24 Metro Manila judges on financial crimes and money laundering from February 26 to 27 in Makati City. U.S. District …
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Manila, February 19, 2019 — The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) launched a strategy to build innovation capacity among public higher education institutions throughout the country on February 12, 2019. The strategy recognizes the critical role of university systems in preparing Filipino students for …
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Cebu City, February 14, 2019 — The U.S. and Philippine governments celebrated the accomplishments of a six-year U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) project that has worked to improve peace and stability in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. The Enhancing Governance, Accountability and Engagement (ENGAGE) project is a six-year, Php 860 million U.S.-Philippine partnership to advance …
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The U.S. Peace Corps signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Education and Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency on December 17, 2018. The MOU outlines the roles and responsibilities of the three agencies in the design, promotion, implementation, evaluation, and support of Peace Corps Philippines projects and activities in the Education …
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Manila, November 15, 2018 — Ambassador Sung Kim hosted a Thanksgiving celebration at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines on November 13 to showcase U.S. food products available in the Philippines. At the celebration, visiting U.S. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney thanked customers in the Philippines for supporting …
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Manila, November 15, 2018 — The U.S. government announced a Php595 million extension of the Mindanao Peace and Development Assistance Agreement on Tuesday, November 13. The bilateral agreement, a partnership between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), supports projects that enhance governance, expand economic opportunities, provide infrastructure, and …
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Manila, October 23, 2018 — The United States Embassy in the Philippines, in partnership with De La Salle University (DLSU), hosted the 2018 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Apps Challenge at the DLSU American Corner from October 19 to 21. Fifteen teams participated in the three-day program, which included a one-day “data boot camp” followed by a 48-hour hackathon. On the final day, …
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U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III are joined by (L-R) DOH Assistant Secretary Lyndon Lee Suy, DOH ARMM Secretary Kadil Sinolinding, U.S. Agency for International Development Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II and Commission on Population Executive Director JP Perez III to open an exhibit highlighting …
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U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim visited Marawi October 16, 2018. During the visit, he met with (left to right) Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra, Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong, Jr., Governor Bedjoria Soraya Alonto Adiong, and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong. (Photo credit: Lanao del Sur …
Read More» Manila, October 16, 2018 —A joint investigation by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Office of Overseas Criminal Investigations (OCI) and the Philippines National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division resulted in the arrest of a visa fixer, Manuel “Nonoy” Bala, on October 5, 2018. On October 5, 2018, OCI requested that …
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Manila, October 15, 2018 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (OPDAT), partnered with the Philippine Interagency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and International Justice Mission (IJM) to train more than 70 Philippine cybercrime investigators, prosecutors, and advocates on combatting online sexual exploitation …
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Manila, October 12, 2018 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) celebrated the success of USAID’s six-year, Php1.35 billion partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in strengthening the country’s forest and biodiversity conservation. Since 2012, USAID has been partnering with the DENR, local …
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Manila, October 4, 2018 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), announced a Php250 million, three-year extension of USAID’s Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) project. The additional assistance, which brings the total USAID investment in the innovation sector to nearly Php2 billion since 2013, …
Read More» Manila, September 19, 2018 — Super Typhoon Ompong triggered flooding and landslides in the northern Philippines, killing at least 81 people, destroying crops and livelihoods, and damaging homes throughout northern Luzon. More than 180,000 found safety in government evacuation centers. In support of ongoing relief work, the U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International …
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U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) Michael Klecheski and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched two five-year projects valued at more than 2.5 billion pesos to support the Philippines’ goal to end tuberculosis (TB).
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Manila, August 20, 2018 — Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a grant to the Republic of the Philippines to fund two senior advisors to support the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in its efforts to achieve the best value for money for upcoming transportation infrastructure procurements in the aviation sector. The advisors, …
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Peace Corps Philippines Country Director Monica Collier, (second from left) and Director Mario Capanzana of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) (third from left) during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City, Metro Manila on 27 July 2018. Witnessing the ceremony is Secretary Fortunato De La Peña …
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MANILA, Philippines—Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Klecheski administered the swearing in ceremony of two Peace Corps Response Volunteers on August 8, 2018 at the U.S. Embassy. The Response Volunteers, who hold the title of Data Management and IT Security Specialists, are part of the U.S. Peace Corps – IBM innovative public-private partnership launched in December …
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Cebu City, August 9, 2018 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, through the U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. DOJ) Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (OPDAT), and the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) trained 28 Regional Trial Court judges on money laundering and financial crimes from August 7-8 in Cebu City. OPDAT and …
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Cebu City, August 2, 2018 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) conducted an International X-Ray Interdiction Training (IXIT) with 11 Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) officers from around the country from July 23-27 in Cebu City. IXIT teaches users of X-ray systems to more effectively target, locate, …
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Manila, July 25, 2018 — A team of scientists from the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) visited the Philippines to participate in National Science and Technology Week (NSTW). During their visit, the NASA scientists interacted with Filipino scientists, engineering students, and high school teachers and highlighted NASA’s collaboration with the Philippine government on …
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Sarangani Province, July 5, 2018 — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched a new partnership with Manila-based Futuristic Aviation and Maritime Enterprise, Inc. (FAME) to promote sustainable fisheries and boost livelihoods in southern Mindanao. Together with FAME, USAID will begin installing transponders on the vessels of over two dozen small-scale fishers from …
Read More» USS Mustin Provides Aid to Filipino Fishermen in Distress Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sara Sexton Commander, Task Force 70 Public Affairs SOUTH CHINA SEA – The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) rendered assistance to two distressed mariners, June 26, whose fishing boat had suffered an engine malfunction, rendering the …
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Thirty-five (35) Peace Corps Volunteers from Group 275 celebrated their Close of Service (COS) Conference at Ciudad Christhia 9 Waves Resort in San Mateo, Rizal from June 5-7, 2018. The Volunteers served in different areas of the country for 27 months, including 11 weeks of intensive Pre-Service Training. Of the thirty-five, seven have successfully applied …
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Compostela Valley, June 27, 2018 — U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Michael Klecheski traveled to Davao and Compostela Valley on June 26 to highlight the continued U.S.-Philippine partnership in promoting drug demand reduction approaches, including treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention. DCM Klecheski, who traveled with Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Secretary Catalino …
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Davao City, Monday, June 25, 2018 — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II traveled to Davao from June 21 to 23 to meet with Philippine partners and recognize joint progress toward achieving the Philippines’ development objectives for Mindanao. Hardy began his visit to Davao by announcing that USAID …
Read More» Manila, June 6, 2018 — The Philippine and U.S. governments recently reaffirmed their mutual commitment to combat human trafficking of adults and children. In a May 22 meeting with U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Michael Klecheski, Acting Philippine Secretary of Justice Menardo I. Guevarra pledged to prioritize the fight against human trafficking, stating “we are committed …
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Marawi City, June 5, 2018 — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) donated over 3,500 teacher’s kits to the Philippine Department of Education to benefit schools affected by the conflict in Marawi. Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, DepEd-ARMM Regional Secretary Rasol Mitmug, Jr. and over a hundred DepEd officials attended …
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USAID Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Roger Tong-An, DOH Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Secretary Kadil Sinolinding, and Chemonics International Director of Project Management Unit for HRH2030 Kartlos Kadkaze formally launch USAID’s Human Resources for Health in 2030 (HRH2030) Philippines. USAID Mission Director Hardy and DOH ARMM Secretary Sinolinding assemble …
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Manila, May 9, 2018 — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) completed its five-year, Php1.9 billion Basa Pilipinas project, which improved literacy and reading comprehension among more than 1.8 million students from kindergarten to grade three. USAID partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement the project in eight school divisions in the provinces …
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Manila, May 4, 2018 — The U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), announced an additional Php182 million ($3.5 million) to support ongoing humanitarian relief in Marawi. This brings the total U.S. government contribution to the Marawi response to nearly 1.4 billion pesos ($26.4 million). The new assistance will enable USAID …
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U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim (center) formally hands over tuberculosis technical assistance packages to Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (right) during the completion ceremony of U.S. Agency for International Development’s Innovations and Multi-Sectoral Partnerships to Achieve Control of Tuberculosis project, as USAID Philippines Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II (left) looks on. Manila, March 21, …
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Ambassador Sung Kim (center) leads the ceremonial handover of rice to Undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco, Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (second from left) and Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisima, Spokesperson of Task Force Bangon Marawi (leftmost) during the ceremonial handover held in Taguig City. Also present are Stephen Gluning, Country Director of …
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Manila, March 5, 2018— U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) hosted 22 Philippine National Police (PNP) officers from the newly-formed Philippine Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit (TCIU) for an intensive three-week International Task Force Agent Training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick, Georgia, from January 16 to February 2. While there, the local …
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Manila, March 2, 2018 — U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Under Secretary and Counterterrorism Coordinator David J. Glawe and Secretary of Justice Vitaliano Aguirre II met today to discuss the strong U.S.-Philippine partnership to combat threats from terrorism and transnational organized crime. Their conversation reaffirmed our joint efforts to combat child exploitation, secure global …
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Puerto Princesa, March 2, 2018 — United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II visited Palawan this week to engage with development partners and reinforce the U.S. government’s commitment to the province’s sustainable growth. To celebrate World Wildlife Day, Hardy kicked off his trip with a visit to the Palawan Wildlife …
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Manila, February 15, 2018 — The U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has committed Php5.2 million in emergency assistance to address the immediate needs of people most affected by the Mt. Mayon volcanic eruption. This follows the Albay provincial government’s declaration of a state of calamity. USAID’s Office of Foreign …
Read More» GENERAL SANTOS CITY, September 2, 2016 — U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and the government of the Philippines, through its Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), launched yesterday a partnership in support of The Oceans and Fisheries Partnership (USAID Oceans). …
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United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Philippine–American Fund (Phil-Am Fund), signed grants with seven local organizations to help combat human trafficking, as well as to support biodiversity programs. Present at the grant signing were USAID Director for Office of Economic Development and Governance Stephen Andoseh (seated 2nd from right) and President of …
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