US congressional leaders assure VP Binay of their support for Haiyan rehabilitation, enhanced defense cooperation

By OVP Media
May 4, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippines can count on the continued support of leaders of the United States Congress not only in Manila's efforts to rehabilitate areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda but also to further strengthen the alliance between the two countries.

The assurance was given to Vice President Jejomar C. Binay during his meetings with US congressional leaders at Capitol Hill on Thursday, the Philippine Embassy said in a statement released today.

"I am very glad to receive the assurances of US congressional leaders of their support for the Philippines and the enduring friendship between our countries and the Filipino and American peoples," said the Vice President, who is in Washington to keynote the Banyan Tree Leadership Forum at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The Embassy said the Vice President, accompanied by Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., held separate meetings with Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs; California Rep. Ed Royce, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; and Ohio Rep. Steve Chabot, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.

In their meetings, Vice President Binay reiterated the Philippine Government's appreciation for the immediate and comprehensive assistance extended by the US Government to the typhoon affected communities in Central Visayas.

The Vice President said the US legislators expressed hope for the immediate recovery of the people in the affected areas and assured him that the Philippine Government could count on their support in the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

The Vice President said the US congressional leaders also assured him of their support for closer defense cooperation between the two countries and building capabilities to respond to catastrophes and natural disasters. They also pointed to the importance of the US rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region.

"Vice President Binay's congressional meetings showed that the bipartisan support of the US for the Philippines and the Philippines-United States alliance is rooted in the US Congress which represents the American people," Ambassador Cuisia stated.