VZCZCXRO3822
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #1823/01 1542338
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 032338Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6779
INFO RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1372
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHZS/ASEAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 001823 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO ECA/PE/C/EAP R HARVEY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR EAID SCUL PREL RP
SUBJECT:  AMBASSADOR HIGHLIGHTS U.S. PROGRAMS IN ILOILO 
 
REF: Manila 01383 
 
¶1. Summary. During a May 21 visit to Iloilo City and Guimaras 
Island, the Ambassador focused public attention on U.S. programs 
benefiting the region. She toured a national mango research center 
and local mango festival, visited a Peace Corps environmental 
education program, and kicked off ECA/C's and USA Soccer's World Cup 
Soccer Initiative.  Press coverage of these events was extensive and 
positive. End Summary. 
 
BACKGROUND 
---------- 
 
¶2. Iloilo City, the capital of Iloilo Province and a regional hub of 
the western Visayas with a population of 370,000, is located on the 
southeast corner of Panay Island. The city draws its primary income 
from fishing and fish processing. Other important products include 
rice, sugar, bananas, mangoes, and hand-woven textiles. Guimaras 
Island sits just south of Iloilo across a narrow waterway in Panay 
Gulf. Guimaras, which is only accessible by boat, covers about 600 
square miles and has 142,000 inhabitants. Fishing, mangoes, and 
tourism drive its economy. 
 
USDA PROJECTS HELP LOCAL ECONOMY 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶3. In 2005, USDA provided US$2 million to fund a three-year mango 
pest risk-assessment research program at the Philippine Bureau of 
Plant Industry's National Mango Research and Development Center 
(BPI-NMRDC) in Guimaras (see reftel).   Its director, one of two 
former Agricultural Fulbright Scholars working here, briefed the 
Ambassador about the Center's work, led a tour, and expressed pride 
in and appreciation for the USDA partnership.  USDA's Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has also worked closely with 
the Center over the last decade to develop a protocol, in compliance 
with U.S. food safety regulations, that would allow Philippine mango 
growers to export to the United States.  Mango production in 2005 
was valued at US$334 million and has increased steadily over the 
last five years.  Philippine experts estimate that the U.S. fresh 
mango market is worth an estimated US$200 million and have stressed 
the long-term export potential of local mangoes as well as their 
hopes that U.S. import procedures can be relaxed.  Currently, only 
mangoes from Guimaras can be exported from the Philippines to the 
U.S. mainland. 
 
¶4. The Governor of Guimaras escorted the Ambassador to the nearby 
Manggahan Festival, an annual celebration of the mango industry and 
local handicrafts, as well as a commemoration of the island's 
declaration as an independent province in 1992.  The festival also 
highlights the resilience of the community in the wake of the August 
2006 oil spill off the Guimaras coast that resulted in serious 
environmental damage to the island.  The Governor noted that, while 
the oil spill was a tragedy, it had raised awareness of 
environmental issues and brought international attention to the 
small island. 
 
¶5. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Deputy Administrator for 
Capacity Building and Development Patricia R. Sheikh accompanied the 
Ambassador during the visit to the Center and the Festival. 
 
PEACE CORPS FOCUSES ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶6. While in Guimaras, the Ambassador also visited one of four Peace 
Corps projects in the province.  One Peace Corps Volunteer had spent 
the last two years facilitating environmental education to 
elementary students at the Nueva Valencia Central School.  During 
her tenure, she created an organic garden, started an Eco Club, and 
taught the community about recycling.  The Ambassador met with 
approximately 45 students and 15 teachers and toured the modest 
facility.  The teaching staff and community members expressed deep 
appreciation for the Peace Corps Volunteer's efforts and 
Ambassador's visit. 
 
SPORTS DIPLOMACY: SOCCER CLINICS A BIG HIT 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶7. Just north of Iloilo City in the town of Barotac Nuevo, the 
Ambassador kicked off the World Cup Soccer Sports Initiative, a 
partnership between the U.S. State Department's Office of Citizen 
Exchanges, USA Soccer, and the Philippine Football Federation.  The 
event was the first in a three-city series of soccer clinics hosted 
by three athletes, including two American "Sports Envoys" and one 
professional Filipina soccer player.  The clinics offer a unique 
opportunity for children to receive coaching from three exceptional 
athletes and provide a venue for Americans and Filipinos to share 
their love of sports.  The Ambassador addressed an enthusiastic 
crowd, which included local mayors, coaches, parents, and children 
from around the area. 
 
MANILA 00001823  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
MEDIA COVERAGE 
-------------- 
 
¶8. Press coverage of the Ambassador's day-long trip was extensive 
and positive in both local and national media, following two 
television interviews to local affiliates of national networks, 
remarks to national print media, and a live radio interview about 
U.S. projects for development in the region.  She stressed myriad 
USG investments in education, health, and agriculture to support 
local communities. 
 
¶9. The Ambassador's ongoing outreach to regional hubs throughout the 
Philippines continues to draw attention to the USG's multi-faceted 
involvement around the country, as do travels by other Mission 
staff.   This activist approach underscores our broad engagement 
with, and interest in, the welfare of the Philippine people. 
 
¶10. Septel will report on the Ambassador's meeting with Archbishop 
Angel Lagdameo. 
 
KENNEY