US reiterates calls on China to abide by 2016 arbitral ruling
MANILA, Philippines — Washington's top diplomat reiterated calls on Beijing to comply with the July 2016 arbitral ruling pursuant to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The landmark ruling invalidated China's nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. discussed this in a meeting on Friday (Manila time).
Important meeting today with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs @teddyboylocsin. On the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine alliance and the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, we reaffirmed the strength and importance of our alliance. #FriendsPartnersAllies pic.twitter.com/2Yit8UpdFH
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 10, 2021
US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price said Blinken "underscored the importance of freedom of navigation and respect for international law in the South China Sea."
"And of course the Philippines is a strong supporter of the rules-based international order, including the freedom of navigation, and we'll certainly be talking about that," Blinken said during Locsin's visit.
Five years after the arbitral award, Beijing continues to reject the ruling and claims "indisputable sovereignty" over the South China Sea.
Locsin and Blinken also talked about COVID-19, economic engagement and human rights, according to Price.
The two top diplomats reaffirmed the importance of the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and the United States, Price said.
Manila and Washington recently celebrated the 70th anniversary of their alliance, as well as the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
In July, President Rodrigo Duterte recalled his order to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement with the country's long-term ally and former colonizer.
This pronouncement came after a meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Important meeting today with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs @teddyboylocsin. On the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine alliance and the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, we reaffirmed the strength and importance of our alliance. #FriendsPartnersAllies pic.twitter.com/2Yit8UpdFH
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 10, 2021
The US government establishes a five-year grant worth P800 million to promote natural resource conservation, and ecosystem and community resilience, by supporting civil society organizations in advocating for, and participating in, good natural resource governance.
The grant will be launched through the Investing in Sustainability and Partnerships for Inclusive Growth and Regenerative Ecosystems (INSPIRE) project.
“Through the INSPIRE project, USAID is pleased to support the Philippines’ efforts to conserve the country’s rich biodiversity and mitigate the impacts of climate change while making sure that the environment continues to benefit many Filipinos whose incomes depend upon these natural resources," USAID Acting Mission Director Sean Callahan says.
The United States Embassy in the Philippines launches a livelihood program for those who are recovering from substance abuse order.
In partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the US Embassy's International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is providing PhP5 million ($100,000) to support the "Ako ang Saklay" program.
“Livelihood programs, such as those facilitated by Ako ang Saklay, can result in quality-of-life changes for persons who use drugs, their families, and their communities,” INL representative Mark Everson says.
The US Peace Corps, in partnership with the DepEd, concludes a series of virtual trainings for educators on using newly developed distance training materials.
The training ran from October 12 to 29, which involved 1,000 teachers, principals and supervisors from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
“Studies show that high-quality instructional materials significantly increase academic outcomes by allowing students to engage more deeply and meaningfully with their learning. This has never been more important than now, with students still schooling online due to the ongoing pandemic,” DepEd Bureau of Learning Delivery Director Leila Areola says.
USAID launches a five-year project worth P750 million ($15 million) to build climate resilience in the Philippines.
The Climate Resilient Cities project will help cities in the country to mitigate, and endure the impacts of climate change by increasing their access to climate financing and tools to build resilience, the US Embassy says.
"Addressing the climate crisis, and particularly the vulnerability of cities, is crucial to helping build a more prosperous, resilient Philippines for current and future generations," USAID Philippines Acting Mission Director Sean Callahan says.
US military service members on Tuesday delivered ICU beds and COVID-19 cold storage units wort P758,750 to the Palawan provincial government.
The donation was made in response to the request of the Palawan provincial government amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in the province, the US Embassy says in a media release.
“This donation will help the people of Palawan a lot by upgrading our ability to fight against the pandemic. It comes at the perfect time due to the surge of new cases and will help us face this new challenge," Palawan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Office director Jeremias Alili says.
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