ShareThisMANILA — “Ang lakas ng bagyo, tulungan natin ang mga nangangailangan. (The typhoon was really that strong. Help is due to those who need it).”
With these words, U.S. ambassador to Manila Harry Thomas, Jr. announced additional $800,000 in grant for relief efforts in Northern Luzon, adding the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) has allowed Filipino and American militaries “to work seamlessly together” to respond to victims of typhoon Juan.
Thomas praised the “excellent preparation, prompt response and ongoing effectiveness Philippine authorities have demonstrated in anticipating and responding to typhoon Juan.” He said “their efforts saved lives, contained damages, and facilitated quick support to the typhoon’s victims.”
Making a point of the VFA’s role in the relief operations, Thomas said: “Our quick contribution to the Government of the Philippines’ response (to the disaster) was made possible by Visiting Forces Agreement and an annual exercise schedule that allows our two militaries to works seamless together to respond in humanitarian crises.”
The $ 800,000 is on top of the earlier $ 100,000 the U.S. embassy has allotted last week for Juan-related disaster relief efforts, plus the logistical support of U.S. aircrafts and marines of the amphibious landing exercises (PHIBLEX) program who were coincidentally in Luzon for the annual VFA-authorized inter-operational exchange between the two militaries.
With the PHIBLEX, which has just closed, men from the Zamboanga-based Joint Special Operations Task Force (J-SOTF) were also diverted for rescue efforts that included aerial surveys using U.S. helicopters. In total, 180 U.S. personnel were mobilized, loading and delivering over 170,000 tons of relief supplies from October 20.