U.S. Independence Day: Foundational Freedoms for the Future By U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim On this day, 244 years ago, America gained her independence after a hard-fought campaign to secure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This year, instead of a typical July 4 celebration – enjoying a barbeque under a sky of blazing …
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Manila, June 26, 2020 – On June 23, the U.S. Embassy’s Department of Justice – Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (DOJ-OPDAT) and its Philippine Department of Justice partners hosted a virtual regional counterterrorism conference. More than 70 prosecutors, investigators, and judges from the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and …
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Manila, June 5, 2020 – The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines announced today that the U.S. government is providing an additional Php201 million ($4 million) to help support vulnerable populations in Mindanao in the fight against COVID-19, bringing the total amount of U.S. pandemic assistance to the Philippines to over Php978 million ($19.5 million) . On June 2, U.S. …
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Manila, June 1, 2020 — The U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is supporting Philippine government efforts to help Filipino farmers transport their produce to key markets and address urgent food security issues. USAID worked closely with the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the …
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Manila, May 25, 2020 – On Memorial Day, the United States and the Philippines are one in honoring the Filipinos and Americans who served valiantly during the liberation of the Philippines in World War II. In a video message, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana honored the men and …
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Manila, May 18, 2020 – The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), formally launched the “ReliefAgad” web application on May 14 to speed up the distribution of financial assistance to Filipinos affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of …
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Manila, May 13, 2020 – Officials from the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., Department of Justice in the Philippines, and a Philippine Judge participated in a virtual workshop on counterterrorism hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training (DOJ-OPDAT) in the Philippines on May 11. The …
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Manila, May 12, 2020 – The U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has developed an online platform to enable Filipino fisherfolk to sell their produce to consumers amid the ongoing COVID-19 community quarantine. Created as part of USAID’s Fish Right project, Fish Tiangge is an online marketplace that can connect …
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Manila, May 7, 2020 – The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines announced today that the U.S. government is providing an additional Php298 million ($5.9 million) to help support the Philippines in the fight against COVID-19, bringing the total amount of U.S. pandemic assistance to the Philippines to more than Php768 million ($15.2 million). As part …
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Our Enduring Partnership: Working Together To Defeat COVID-19 by U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim Today’s global pandemic severely affects public health, economies and our daily lives. Yet even in these trying times, the resilience and courage of the Philippine people continue to inspire me. From the terrorist attack on Marawi, through devastating …
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Manila, April 10, 2020 — U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim announced today the U.S. government’s donation of nearly 1,300 new cots to support the Philippine government’s response to COVID-19. Ambassador Kim stated, “I’m pleased to be able to hand over these new cots, on behalf of the U.S. government, to our Philippine partners. We stand together with …
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(L-R) U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim joins Chona Torre, Senior Vice President, Human Capital Group, McDonald’s Philippines; Kenneth Yang, President and CEO, McDonald’s Philippines; Dr. George Yang, Chairman and Founder, McDonald’s Philippines; Love Basillote, Executive Director, PBEd; USAID Philippines’ Education Specialist Mir Tillah; Ramon del Rosario, Chair, PBED; Department of Labor and Employment Director Dominique Rubia-Tutay …
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Manila, February 3, 2020 — U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim on Monday joined officials from the Philippine Department of Defense and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in a wreath laying ceremony honoring the American civilians interned at UST during World War II. UST played a critical role during WWII as the …
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Manila, January 31, 2020 — The U.S. government is supporting the Philippine government’s commitment to end modern day slavery with the launch of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s three-year, Php153 million ($3 million) Strengthening Local Systems and Partnerships for More Effective Counter-Trafficking in Persons in the Philippines project. USAID will partner with …
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Cebu City, January 30, 2020 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Department of Justice Office of Prosecutorial Development, Assistance, and Training hosted a three-day regional counterterrorism conference in Cebu City from January 28 to 30. The South East Asia Regional Experts Exchange (SEAREE) was attended by 34 prosecutors and investigators from the Philippines, Indonesia, …
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Nasugbu, Batangas, January 22, 2020 — During a visit to a school serving as an evacuation center in Nasugbu, Batangas on January 22, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim announced the provision of Php 5.1 million ($100,000) in U.S. government support to those affected by the January 12 Taal volcanic eruption. Ambassador Kim …
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Philippine-American Educational Foundation Honorary Board Chairperson and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim and Philippine Competition Commission Chairperson Arsenio M. Balisacan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a new staff development program on competition law and policy. Manila, December 20, 2019 — On December 20, Philippine-American Educational Foundation Honorary Board Chairperson …
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Youth Panel comprised of NYC Commissioner Paul Pangilinan, World Youth Alliance President Lord Pomperada, U.N. Nutrition Ambassador Cherrie Atilano, Asian Consulting Group President Mon Abrea, and Asian Consulting Group Vice President James Reid share their stories as youth leaders and how they sustain their advocacies. Manila, December 18, 2019 — U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines …
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Manila, December 17, 2019 — Holy Name University in Bohol conferred an honorary degree on U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim on Monday, December 16. During the ceremony, Holy Name University President, Father Francisco Estepa awarded Ambassador Kim with the university’s honorary Doctorate of Management in Human Resources in recognition of his valuable contribution …
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In celebration of Thanksgiving, Ambassador Sung Kim shared a meal with the Tuloy Foundation culinary scholars at Enderun Colleges in Taguig City on Tuesday, November 26. The Tuloy Foundation is a non-profit organization for disadvantaged children and youth.
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Manila, October 31, 2019 –– In recognition of the extensive U. S. partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim visited the Balagtas Training Center to observe the first technical course conducted there on outboard motor maintenance on Thursday, October 30. Commodore Joseph Badajos, Commander of PCG’s Surface Support Force, hosted the …
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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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Manila, September 6, 2019 — Ambassador Kim joined 70 prosecutors from across the country, including 44 prosecutors from Mindanao, in opening the National Convention of Counterterrorism (CT) Prosecutors in Manila. 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), partnered with …
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Manila, August 19, 2019 — Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, General David Goldfein, and Commander, Pacific Air Forces, General Charles Brown, visited Manila from August 15 to 18, 2019. During their time here, the generals met with key policymakers, including Undersecretary of National Defense Cardozo Luna, Chief of Staff of the Armed …
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The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) leads the Ronald Reagan Strike group, including the Ticonderoga-class missile cruisers USS Antietam (CG 54) and USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Benfold (DDG 65) and USS Milius (DDG 69), during a photo exercise in 2018. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication …
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Jalilah and her family are among more than 30,000 Marawi residents who have benefitted from temporary shelters provided by the U.S. government. An added Php234 million in U.S. government funding will provide shelter assistance to 2,600 additional individuals. (Photo credit: Tiffany Tsang, Catholic Relief Services) Manila, July 18, 2019 —The U.S. government is providing an …
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U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim and Philippine Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña signed an agreement on scientific and technological cooperation at the close of the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue on July 16. Manila, July 17, 2019 — U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim and Philippine Department …
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Manila, July 12, 2019 — The United States and the Republic of the Philippines will hold the eighth Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) July 15-16, 2019 in Manila. The BSD brings together senior leaders to discuss cooperation on defense, economics, rule of law, and regional diplomacy between the United States and the Philippines. U.S. Ambassador to …
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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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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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(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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Manila, March 1, 2019 – U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo reaffirmed the strong ties and enduring alliance between the United States and the Philippines during his first visit to the Philippines as Secretary of State. Secretary Pompeo met with President Rodrigo Duterte on February 28 to discuss the importance of the bilateral relationship …
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Manila, February 21, 2019 — U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim congratulated Team iNON for beating out 1,395 teams from around the world to win the Best Galactic Impact category in the 2018 NASA Space Apps Challenge. Ambassador Kim awarded certificates of recognition to team members Revbrain Martin, Marie Jeddah Legaspi, Julius Czar Torreda, …
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Manila, February 7, 2019 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines awarded a Php 23.8 million grant to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to support implementation of the Philippines National Broadband Network Project. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and DICT Acting Secretary Eliseo M. Rio, Jr. signed the grant during …
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Pampanga, January 30, 2019 — U.S. Ambassador Sung Y. Kim and Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana cut the ribbon on the first major project under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) at Cesar Basa Air Base, Pampanga, on January 29. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of construction on a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief warehouse, which will …
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Manila, December 12, 2018 — Admiral Philip Davidson, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited Manila from December 10 to 11. While in Manila, Admiral Davidson attended the Balangiga Bells handover ceremony and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Change of Command. During his visit, Admiral Davidson met with President Rodrigo Duterte and Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana …
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Manila, December 11, 2018 — This morning at 10:30 a.m., the three Balangiga Bells arrived at Villamor Air Base in Manila. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim participated in a ceremony officially turning the bells over to the Philippine government. “The history of these bells spans the entire relationship between the United States and …
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Return of Balangiga Bells U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim Manila December 11, 2018 As prepared Magandang hapon. Good afternoon. Thank you all for joining us today. It is a tremendous honor for me to be a part of this historic occasion. I’m proud and grateful to be joined by Executive Secretary Medialdea, …
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Manila, November 15, 2018 — U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis announced the return of the Balangiga Bells to the Philippines during a ceremony at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, Wyoming, on November 14 (GMT-7). Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez attended the ceremony which marked the beginning of the process …
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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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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 …
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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 …
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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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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U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana join representatives of the Philippine Air Force and Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group with the newly-transferred Special Airborne Mission Installation and Response (SABIR) system. Manila, August 14, 2018 — U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim turned …
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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 Y. Kim and Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorezana participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the first major project under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) at Cesar Basa Air Base, Pampanga, on April 17.
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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 13, 2018 — U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim turned over a Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana during a transfer ceremony at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, on March 13. Ambassador Kim and officials from the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group delivered …
Read More» Manila, February 23, 2018 — On February 22, Ambassador Sung Kim met with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to discuss the recently released Worldwide Threat Assessment Report published by the Director of National Intelligence. Ambassador Kim explained the nature of the report – an annual assessment on conditions in each of the world’s various regions based …
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U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim helps cut the ribbon to inaugurate the new C-Joy poultry processing facility. (L-R) Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) President and CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong, Cargill VP Todd Hall, Ambassador Kim, C-Joy Poultry Meats Production President and CEO Paul Fulbright, JFC Founder and Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong, Santo Tomas Mayor Edna Sanchez, Representative Maria …
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Manila, November 13, 2017 —On November 11, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim led the 2017 Veterans Day commemoration at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Taguig City, Metro Manila. Veterans Day is an American holiday that originates with the formal end of hostilities of World War I with the signing of …
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Five-day summit brings together 250 emerging leaders representing all 10 ASEAN member states to advance leadership skills and collaborate on regional challenges. Manila, October 19, 2017 — Two-hundred and fifty emerging leaders between the ages of 18-35 representing all ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states have come together in Manila for five …
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U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines formally welcomed 250 youth participants of this year’s Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Summit. The participants are YSEALI alumni from across the ASEAN region. Read Ambassador’s full remarks: Magandang umaga! Good morning and welcome to Manila! We are especially pleased to welcome you here in The Manila Hotel, a …
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The U.S. Embassy and State Department communities mourn the loss of Washington SyCip, who passed away last Saturday night at the age of 96. As Ambassador Kim said, Mr. SyCip was a giant in business, education, and philanthropy . He established the Fulbright-SyCip Distinguished Lecturing Award which brings American academics and professionals to give lectures at major universities and organizations in Metro Manila and other …
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U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim administered the oath to 63 Peace Corps Volunteers on September 13, 2017 at the U.S. Embassy Charles Parsons Ballroom. The Volunteers will be assigned to different areas in the Philippines. More than 9,000 Americans have served as Peace Corps Volunteers in the Philippines since 1961. The Philippines has the second oldest …
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U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim talks about recently concluded Tempest Wind drill during a joint press conference with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana on September 26, 2017. Ambassador Kim: Thank you all for joining us this afternoon. I am always pleased to stand next to my good friend Secretary Lorenzana especially on this occasion of …
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Manila, September 21, 2017 — Ambassador Sung Kim recently administered a swearing-in of three new Peace Corps Response Volunteers (PCRVs) at the Peace Corps Office in Manila. These PCRVs are experts on information communication technology and are now beginning a five-month assignment with local partner institutions including the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) …
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Manila, September 8, 2017 — The United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines announced plans to begin drug demand reduction programs under the existing Letter of Agreement on Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim signed an Amended Letter …
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U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim sat down with select members of the local media on September 5, 2017 to announce assistance of 730 million pesos through USAID for ongoing emergency relief operations and the longer term recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi city and the surrounding area. Ambassador Kim also talks about robust grant military assistance that …
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(L-R): Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Eduardo Año, Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim, and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano at the turnover and blessing ceremony for two new Cessna 208B aircraft from the U.S. to the Philippine Air …
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Cebu City, July 14, 2017 — During his trip to Cebu this week, Ambassador Sung Kim met with Governor Hilario Davide III and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to discuss the robust economic ties between the U.S. and the Philippines and as well as opportunities for further U.S. engagement in Cebu, both in the public …
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From left: Lieutenant General Oscar T. Lactao, U.S. Ambassador Sung Y. Kim, Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ariel Y. Abadilla, General Eduardo M. Año, and Lieutenant General Lawrence Nicholson pose shoulder-to-shoulder at the opening ceremony for Balikatan 33 at Camp Aguinaldo Manila, May 9, 2017 — U.S. Ambassador Sung …
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March 23, 2017, Manila — “Through our partnership with the Philippine government, more than 1.3 million Filipinos have gained access to improved sanitation and over 1.5 million more now have access to safe and clean drinking water,” said U.S. Ambassador Sung Y. Kim in his keynote address during the finale ceremony of U.S. Agency for …
Read More» as prepared Mabuhay! I am very pleased to have just met with President Duterte and formally presented my credentials. It is an immense honor to be in the Philippines and to have the opportunity to contribute to one of America’s most enduring partnerships. At the heart of our partnership is the deep bond between the …
Read More» November 4, 2016 — On November 3, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry swore in Ambassador-designate to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim in a ceremony attended by Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken, former U.S. Ambassadors to the Philippines Counselor Kristie A. Kenney and Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Assistant Secretary of State Danny Russel, Philippine …
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