VZCZCXRO7405
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #0630/01 0570939
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 260939Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5422
INFO RUEHZS/ASEAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 000630 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS USAID 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL MOPS EAID RP EAGR
SUBJECT: USS BLUE RIDGE VISIT HIGHLIGHTS U.S.-PHILIPPINE PARTNERSHIP 
IN MINDANAO 
 
REF:  MANILA 0379 
 
¶1. SUMMARY: The USS Blue Ridge port call to General Santos City in 
Mindanao on February 17 and 18 highlighted the active partnership 
and long-standing USG investment in the Mindanao region and the 
General Santos City area, specifically.  In addition to 
participating in community relations events with USS Blue Ridge 
personnel, the Ambassador, accompanied by U.S. Embassy team, 
officially inaugurated two USAID-constructed infrastructure 
projects, met with local government and business officials, visited 
U.S. businesses, and gave interviews to the media.  End Summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
POSITIVE IMPACT OF SUSTAINED U.S. INVOLVEMENT 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  General Santos City and vicinity are vibrant examples of the 
benefits of sustained U.S. Government involvement in terms of both 
investment and collaboration, and a model for other parts of 
Mindanao on the path to peace and prosperity.  Two decades of 
infrastructure projects led by USG efforts have propelled this into 
one of the fastest growing cities in the Philippines.  The 
improvement in the quality of life in the region has created an 
atmosphere of optimism that is increasing stability and economic 
gains.  The corporate responsibility of U.S. firms toward the 
community and their employees help to multiply these efforts to 
improve the region.  The positive impacts of these efforts include a 
continued strengthening of U.S. relations with the people, the 
businesses, and the governmental units. 
 
-------------------------------- 
COMMUNITY RELATIONS PARTNERSHIPS 
-------------------------------- 
¶3.  During the February 17-18 visit of the USS Blue Ridge, the first 
U.S. Navy ship to pay a port call to General Santos City in decades, 
the crew led strong Community Relations (COMREL) activities that 
were truly joint USG actions partnering with Philippine entities. 
At three separate locations, personnel from the USS Blue Ridge 
joined with members of local community groups, local governments, 
and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the renovation of two 
buildings at one school and the complete construction of a school 
building at a second school. At each location, the Ambassador and 
Seventh Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Crowder presented educational 
and recreational equipment.  A Medical Civil Action Program (MEDCAP) 
by Blue Ridge personnel along with USAID and JSOTF-P personnel 
provided free treatment to over 600 patients. 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
BONDING WITH A WIDE RANGE OF THE MINDANAO PEOPLE 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶4.  The Ambassador and VADM Crowder co-hosted a reception aboard the 
USS Blue Ridge on the evening of February 17 attended by a wide 
range of citizens from the Mindanao region, including government and 
military officials, students, teachers, business leaders, U.S. 
residents of the area, police, and military personnel.  A number of 
those in attendance had driven several hours over bad roads to 
attend the reception.  The Governor of Sulu came all the way from 
Jolo to press his appeal for a similar ship visit to his province. 
Media coverage was extremely positive. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
LUNCHEON WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS AND BUSINESS LEADERS 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶5.  The Governor of Sarangani province hosted the Ambassador and 
VADM Crowder at a luncheon at which business leaders and local 
government leaders praised the community outreach projects of the 
U.S.  Three provincial Governors, several Mayors, as well as the 
presidential advisor on the peace process emphasized and directly 
tied the continued involvement of the U.S. in the social and 
economic improvement in this area to stability throughout Mindanao. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
USAID BOAT LANDING PROJECT MAKING A DIFFERENCE 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶6.  The Ambassador inaugurated two of the 815 community-level 
infrastructural projects funded by USAID in conflict-affected areas 
of Mindanao:  a footbridge at a high school in General Santos City 
and a USAID boat landing project in Sapu Masla, Sarangani, which 
includes a sizable number of former Muslim insurgents.  The latter 
project will directly benefit the 7,000 residents by providing a 
safe, secure docking facility for the efficient offloading of cargo. 
 The ceremony and project received widespread coverage in the local 
and national media. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
VISIT TO GENERAL SANTOS CITY FISH PORT 
-------------------------------------- 
 
MANILA 00000630  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶7.  The Ambassador visited the General Santos City Fish Port complex 
and received a very informative briefing from the leaders of the 
Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries regarding the vibrant 
tuna industry.  The Philippine tuna industry ranks second in world 
tuna landings and fifth in canned tuna production.  Ninety percent 
of the Philippine tuna industry is located in Southern Mindanao, 
providing direct revenues of $400 million and 100,000 jobs.  The 
General Santos City tuna industry improved from a substandard rating 
to full accreditation by the EU from 2004 to 2006, thanks in part to 
USAID/GEM assistance.  A major issue for the tuna industry is the 
access to U.S. markets, the current destination of 44% of canned 
exports.  The Ambassador encouraged the Philippine tuna industry to 
work with the Philippine government toward a Free Trade Agreement 
proposal with the U.S., instead of hoping for preferential access to 
the U.S. market. 
 
---------------------------------------- 
VISIT TO CARGILL COPRA PROCESSING PLANT 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶8.  Accompanied by the Embassy's Foreign Agricultural Counselor the 
Ambassador toured the Copra Crushing Plant of Cargill Philippines, 
Inc. in General Santos City. The plant is one of 10 facilities owned 
by Cargill Philippines and serves as a model for its safe and 
healthy work environment for its employees.  The plant produces 
crude coconut oil and copra expeller pellets, both of which are 
Philippines' top agricultural export items to the U.S. 
 
------------------------------------------ 
INTERVIEW WITH PRINT AND TELEVISION MEDIA 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶9. The Ambassador gave an exclusive interview to ABS-CBN TV in 
addition to several on-the spot interviews during the COMREL events 
and the reception aboard the USS Blue Ridge.  There was excellent 
coverage of all events in the local media.  The Ambassador 
highlighted in particular our partnership and close cooperation to 
bring peace and prosperity to Mindanao. 
 
 
KENNEY