US vows continued support for typhoon-hit areas

MANILA, Philippines - The US government has assured the Philippines of continuous support for the rehabilitation of Super Typhoon Yolanda-devastated areas and strengthening of alliance between the two countries.

The Philippine embassy in Washington said US Congress leaders gave the assurance to Vice President Jejomar Binay during a meeting at Capitol Hill on Thursday.

“I am very glad to receive the assurance of US congressional leaders of their support for the Philippines and the enduring friendship between our countries and the Filipino and American peoples,” said Binay, who spoke before the Banyan Tree Leadership Forum at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

He reiterated the Philippine government’s appreciation for the immediate and comprehensive assistance extended by the US government to Yolanda-hit areas in Central Visayas last November.

SoKor rehab

Meanwhile, troops from South Korea have completed the repair and rehabilitation of major government infrastructure in Yolanda-battered areas.

Capt. Amado Gutierrez, spokesman for the 8th Infantry Division, said the troops also committed to extend their stay until the end of the year to conduct medical and rehabilitation efforts.

“Close to 600 Korean troops that are currently undergoing humanitarian operations in typhoon-hit areas will stay to do more projects,” he said.

In an accomplishment report to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Col. Chulwon Lee of the South Korea Armed Forces Joint Support Group Philippines said his team and Philippine Army Engineer Construction units have so far completed the repair and rehabilitation of 17 elementary schools, two hospitals and nine government facilities like police stations, fire stations, courthouses and ABC halls in various towns in Leyte.

Lee said the troops also conducted fumigation in 235 villages, treated 11,168 medical and 1,686 dental patients in the towns of Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa and Dulag.

During their first few weeks in Tacloban and neighboring towns, the South Korean contingent effected the removal of 16,600 tons of debris as well as conducted 637 sorties delivering 9,310,000 liters of potable water to various communities.

To date, the Korean forces have nine ongoing projects and 57 upcoming projects aimed for completion by December.

At least nine houses of Filipino-Korean War veterans destroyed by Yolanda were also repaired at the cost of P800,000.

The South Korean contingent also initiated a vocational training seminar for heavy equipment operation and Korean language classes in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Maj. Gen. Jet Velarmino, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, who visited the Korean contingent based in Barangay Candahug in Palo town, expressed the gratitude of Eastern Visayas for the support of the soldiers.

He also sent sympathy to the Korean people for the South Korean ferry tragedy.

South Korea sent around 540 members of the Korean Armed Forces, composed of medical, recovery and engineering teams on top of a $5-million humanitarian assistance. – With Ricky Bautista