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| 09 JUNE 2007 | . | |
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| 09 JUNE 2007 | . | |
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President accepts nine helicopters for PAF from U.S. gov't |
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PGMA visits another Sampaloc barangay; distributes scholarship vouchers to residents |
| President accepts nine helicopters for PAF from U.S. gov't |
The long and historic partnership between the United States and the Philippines was strengthened further when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo received today nine UH-1H helicopters from the American government that would provide additional capability to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to combat any threats to the country’s internal security. In a simple ceremony held at the PAF Grandstand in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City this morning, the President accepted the documents of the nine refurbished POTUS (President of the United States) UH-1H Helicopter, the finest helicopter in the world, from US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney. Witnessing the turnover rites were Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr., and PAF Commanding General Horacio Tolentino. During the ceremony, the President and Ambassador Kenney poured a bottle of champagne each over the nose of one of the choppers, the PGMA-Excess Defense Acquisition (PGMA-EDA), which they inspected afterwards. "Today, we have a tangible reminder of the strength that our two leaders show to the world as we see their vision realize in this turnover of helicopters. UH-1H helicopter is the finest helicopter in the world," Kenney said in her message before she turned over the documents of the helicopters to the President. Kenney said the UH-1H helicopter is the "backbone of the US Armed Forces wing fleet" and now the backbone of the Philippine military aviation helicopters. With the turnover of the helicopters, Kenney said, the aircraft would also pave the way to improve the PAF air assault capability against dissident terrorists, and also in their search and rescue operations during calamity. The first batch of nine POTUS aircraft are part of the 20 helicopters provided for the Philippines by US President George W. Bush, as he promised during his state visit in the country in May 2003. On the other hand, the PGMA-EDA is the 6th and last UH-1H helicopter acquired out of the US Excess Defense Article Program. The helicopters were refurbished in the United States through the US Foreign Military Financing Program at a cost of $22 million. In 2006, the US government gave nearly $30 million in Foreign Military Financing to the Philippines. Meanwhile, in his opening remarks, PAF Commanding General Horacio Tolentino said the Air Force welcomes the helicopters as addition to its inventory assets. He said the turnover of the helicopters is in line with the PAF’s present implementation of programs highly contributing to accomplish the internal security operations (ISO) mission. "The AFP, particularly the PAF, is now better equipped for its internal affairs and ready to protect the country against the threat to national security," Tolentino said as he assured the President that they will intensify their air assault operation against communist terrorists. |
| PGMA visits another Sampaloc barangay; distributes scholarship vouchers to residents |
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited today another barangay in Sampaloc, Manila and personally delivered low-priced basic commodities, medicines, and training scholarship vouchers for its qualified indigent residents. From Villamor Air Base (VAB) in Pasay City where she was guest of honor at the blessing and turnover of the nine Huey UH-1H helicopters for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) this morning, the President motored to Barangay 586, Zone 57, along Santol St. and Ramon Magsaysay Blvd. in Sampaloc. The President awarded a Certificate to Operate a "Tindahan Natin" convenience store and 100 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) scholarship vouchers to Barangay 586 Chairwoman Milagros Faduga. She also inspected the "Botika ng Bayan" set up in the area by the Department of Health that sells cheap but quality basic medicines such as cough syrups, paracetamol and multivitamins. She later on proceeded to the nearby Barangay Hall, together with the heads and representatives of concerned government agencies, for an informal meeting with the barangay officials. During the meeting, the President directed Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando to coordinate with the National Housing Authority (NHA) in helping the residents settle their long-time problem regarding the lots they are occupying. She also directed Manila Police District (MPD) Director Sr. Supt. Danilo Abarsoza to resolve the proliferation of illegal tricycle operators in Barangay 586. On Friday, the day after her fruitful six-day, three-country visits to Italy, Portugal and China, the President visited Barangay 579, Zone 56, also in Sampaloc where she also distributed scholarship and training certificates to the residents. |