VZCZCXRO6057
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHML #2074/01 2490953
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 050953Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1746
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002074 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL KPAO RP EAID
SUBJECT: "Mindanao still open for business" 
 
¶1.  (U) SUMMARY. Signifying the USG's continuing commitment to 
economic prosperity and stability for Mindanao, the Acting Deputy 
Chief of Mission (A/DCM) visited the Mindanao province of Zamboanga 
del Norte where he:  delivered the keynote address at the annual 
Mindanao Business Conference; formally turned-over a computer 
assistance package to a rural high school; and received a briefing 
from local leaders on their avian influenza prevention strategy. END 
SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  (U) Despite being, historically, one of the poorest provinces in 
the Philippines, Zamboanga del Norte's economic fortunes have been 
improving over the past few years. The province's successes are due 
to its relative peacefulness, a small but growing domestic tourism 
industry, sizable USG and other donor assistance efforts, and the 
fact that the principal roll-on, roll-off freight port in the 
province, in its capital city of Dipolog, has become a key link in 
the GRP's "Strong Republic Nautical Highway System." This has led to 
dramatic increases in cargo and passenger traffic. 
 
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17th Annual Mindanao Business Conference 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (U) Held this year in Dipolog City, the Mindanao Business 
Conference is the largest annual gathering of Mindanao's business 
community. Some 400 business leaders attended the Conference.  The 
Conference serves as a venue for discussing and exploring business 
and trade opportunities, sharing new developments and best 
practices, and discussing/proposing ways of fostering a more 
competitive and attractive business environment in Mindanao.  The 
Dipolog City Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the 
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) was the host and 
principal organizer of this year's conference. As it has done for 
most of the previous annual conferences, the USG provided some 
technical and financial support for this year's Mindanao Business 
Conference. 
 
¶4.  (U) Delivering the keynote address before a large audience of 
regional business and political leaders, the A/DCM emphasized the 
USG's continued support for peace and development in Mindanao and 
its intention to continue its close and enduring partnerships with 
local and national government agencies, NGO's, and private 
businesses.  In collaboration with these partners, the USG has 
supported a wide-ranging assistance effort in Mindanao over the past 
several years with numerous projects aimed at health and education 
improvement, better environmental management, improved governance, 
infrastructure, and expansion of economic opportunity. 
 
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USAID Connects Rural High School to Internet 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (U) Illustrating the USG's commitment to improving education, 
the A/DCM formally turned over a computer assistance package 
including 10 computers and a satellite dish needed for internet 
access to a nearby rural high school.  The assistance was provided 
under USAID's Computer Literacy and Internet Connection (CLIC) 
program.  The CLIC program has thus far introduced computer and 
internet education into almost 700 high schools in Mindanao, in both 
urban and rural areas, helping to ensure that young people in 
Mindanao will be able to compete in a globalizing world.  Partnering 
with the Philippine government, school administrators, and 
parent-teacher organizations (who assume responsibility for 
maintaining the computers and paying the monthly internet charges), 
USAID aims to add hundreds of additional schools to the CLIC network 
in the next few years. 
 
 
 
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Working Towards AI Preparedness in Mindanao 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (U) The A/DCM attended a USAID sponsored avian influenza (AI) 
briefing in a rural municipality near the conference site as part of 
a pilot project that trains citizens to look for possible signs of 
AI and to alert local health officials.  While the Philippines 
remains one of three southeast Asian countries free of AI, USAID and 
its local partners assist vulnerable regions and communities to 
provide public awareness and community outreach on prevention 
strategies. 
 
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Media Outreach 
-------------- 
 
¶7.  (U) The A/DCM's visit generated positive media attention both 
regionally and nationally. During stops at a local radio station and 
during a taped TV interview, the A/DCM discussed USG efforts in the 
region with regard to development and security matters. Several 
major national daily newspapers noted the USG's attendance at the 
Conference and praised the USG's commitment to the development of 
 
MANILA 00002074  002 OF 002 
 
 
Mindanao. 
 
KENNEY