Clinton announces additional $5.2-M US disaster aid to RP

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced on Thursday that her government will give an additional $5.2 million in disaster relief and recovery assistance to the Philippines, following a series of destructive storms that hit the country the past two months. Clinton made the announcement after her visit to the Malanday National High School in Marikina City, one of Metro Manila areas worst hit by floods brought by Typhoon Ondoy. The State secretary said the additional funds, which come on top of more than $14 million in rescue and relief aid that the US has already given the country, should be used to meet the needs of those affected by the cyclones and for the government’s disaster preparedness efforts. “I was saddened as so many here (were affected by) the recent storms and flooding. I want to convey the sympathy of the Obama administration and the US to the Philippines. You have shown great resolve in these great calamities," Clinton said in a speech in Malacañang.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV As Clinton arrived at the high school, she was greeted and applauded by students who waved Philippine and American flaglets in warm welcome, while she smiled and waved back. The students had been waiting for Clinton since noon. Clinton, together with Education secretary Jesli Lapus, also opened a book fair at the Malanday National High School where she donated 50,000 books. She also donated desks and electric fans to the high school, which had lost much of its equipment due to the floods caused by Ondoy. Security was tight during Clinton’s visit to the area, with policemen securing the school’s perimeter while the top State official went the rounds.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Various protests Meanwhile, various protests also greeted the Clinton visit. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and other groups marched from Taft Avenue to Plaza Salamanca Thursday morning to protest the Visiting Forces Agreement by carrying and burning placards. The tight security stopped the Sanlakas group from reaching the US Embassy. The group burned the US flag and a picture of Clinton at Plaza Ferguson instead. But the League of Filipino Students (LFS) reached as far as Gate 7 in Malacañang where they held a short program and burned the US flag. The LFS believes that the Clinton visit will benefit the US more than the Philippines. In an interview by GMA News, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said “Hindi kami naniniwala na ang pakay lang ni Mrs. Clinton dito ay dumalaw sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo, dahil alam naming higit pa diyan ang kanilang gusto. Gusto nilang palawakin pa ang impluwensya ng Amerika." (We don't believe that Mrs. Clinton's only reason is to visit the calamity victims, because we know that her aims go beyond that. They want to extend America's influence.) Three cyclones – Ondoy, Pepeng and Santi – battered various parts of Luzon the past two months, killing hundreds and leaving thousands homeless due to widespread flooding and landslides. – Andreo C. Calonzo, GMANews.TV