US envoy sends Christmas regards to Albay ‘family’
12/24/2009 | 09:32 PM
Families evacuated in Albay due to the restiveness of Mayon Volcano are in the Christmas thoughts of outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Ann Kenney.
In an entry on her web log, Kenney said her thoughts are with her Albay "family" who face spending Christmas in evacuation centers.
"As we all watch for updates on the possible eruption of Mount Mayon, my thoughts are with my Albay 'family' as they contemplate celebrating the holidays in evacuation centers. I am hoping that all our efforts together to prepare for natural disasters are helping families cope and plan," she said in her blog.
While Kenney reiterated the US government's warden message to US nationals to stay away from Mayon, she also said the US is ready to help "good friends" in Bicol once Mayon erupts.
"We urge American citizens to avoid travel to the area potentially affected by the volcano. And we will stay ready to see how we can best assist our good friends in Bicol if they need our help after the volcano erupts. My thoughts and prayers will be with those who live in the shadow of beautiful Mount Mayon as they prepare to face the fury of Mother Nature," she said.
Kenney noted she spends much time in Albay, being an adopted daughter of the province.
She had visited Albay frequently to see the work the United States does there in health care and environmental protection, and to promote livelihood projects and efforts to assist local industries, such as the dairy industry.
"Knowing of the presence of the active volcano, Mount Mayon, and that the Bicol region is often hit with natural disasters like typhoons, the United States has worked hard to help the area recover from previous natural disasters and to help plan to handle future natural disasters," she said.
She said the US provided $5 million to construct 900 houses and community centers in the wake of devastating typhoons in 2006 and 2007.
The US also worked with NGO groups to help communities prepare for natural disasters, and several American Peace Corps volunteers were placed in communities to help draw up disaster preparedness plans.
Kenney said she even joined in mock disaster drills there, donated relief goods such as mosquito nets and tents to evacuation centers.
"The US and Filipino militaries worked together to help repair houses after natural disasters in the past two years. During the annual 'Balikatan' exercises in 2009, our militaries again worked together in the Bicol region to improve roads, constructed schools, and dug wells
in addition to providing free medical services to over 21,000 residents," she said. - KBK, GMANews.TV
In an entry on her web log, Kenney said her thoughts are with her Albay "family" who face spending Christmas in evacuation centers.
"As we all watch for updates on the possible eruption of Mount Mayon, my thoughts are with my Albay 'family' as they contemplate celebrating the holidays in evacuation centers. I am hoping that all our efforts together to prepare for natural disasters are helping families cope and plan," she said in her blog.
While Kenney reiterated the US government's warden message to US nationals to stay away from Mayon, she also said the US is ready to help "good friends" in Bicol once Mayon erupts.
"We urge American citizens to avoid travel to the area potentially affected by the volcano. And we will stay ready to see how we can best assist our good friends in Bicol if they need our help after the volcano erupts. My thoughts and prayers will be with those who live in the shadow of beautiful Mount Mayon as they prepare to face the fury of Mother Nature," she said.
Kenney noted she spends much time in Albay, being an adopted daughter of the province.
She had visited Albay frequently to see the work the United States does there in health care and environmental protection, and to promote livelihood projects and efforts to assist local industries, such as the dairy industry.
"Knowing of the presence of the active volcano, Mount Mayon, and that the Bicol region is often hit with natural disasters like typhoons, the United States has worked hard to help the area recover from previous natural disasters and to help plan to handle future natural disasters," she said.
She said the US provided $5 million to construct 900 houses and community centers in the wake of devastating typhoons in 2006 and 2007.
The US also worked with NGO groups to help communities prepare for natural disasters, and several American Peace Corps volunteers were placed in communities to help draw up disaster preparedness plans.
Kenney said she even joined in mock disaster drills there, donated relief goods such as mosquito nets and tents to evacuation centers.
"The US and Filipino militaries worked together to help repair houses after natural disasters in the past two years. During the annual 'Balikatan' exercises in 2009, our militaries again worked together in the Bicol region to improve roads, constructed schools, and dug wells
in addition to providing free medical services to over 21,000 residents," she said. - KBK, GMANews.TV
