US won't cut aid to RP

MANILA, Philippines – Despite the troubled financial system, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney said yesterday Washington will not cut its assistance to the Philippines.

“I don’t think so because (of course) that has already been approved by the US Congress and there is a lot of interest in it,” Kenney said in a chance interview at the inauguration and blessing of “Bahay Silungan sa Paliparan,” a halfway house for victims of human trafficking, at Chapel Road, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City.

The US is facing economic crisis and reportedly heading for recession.

Kenney noted that the $700-billion bailout package of the US government for banks and companies will make a difference in stopping the crisis.

“The global financial issue is important. Everybody’s economy is tied in together. I’m hopeful that the package our Congress passed will make a difference. It may take a little while to take effect but I’m hopeful it will help everybody’s economy to rebound,” she said.

The US government will also not withdraw its $25-million assistance to Mindanao because of the current financial situation, the escalation of violence in Southern Philippines and the aborted signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD).

She said Washington will not abandon the Philippines only because of the negative developments in Southern Philippines.

Last August, the US provided $35,000 to individuals and families displaced by the armed conflict in Mindanao.

The assistance of the US Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance through Save the Children, a leading international non-profit organization, is Washington’s response to the tragic outbreak of violent conflict in Southern Philippines.

The continuation of fighting resulted in significant deaths and injuries, the destruction of many homes and schools, and nearly 200,000 people unable to return to their villages.