VZCZCXRO5167
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #2140/01 2810819
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O 080819Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5402
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RHOVQHS/COMSEVENTHFLT  IMMEDIATE
INFO RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 2302
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0326
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
RUEHRO/USMISSION UN ROME IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002140 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
BANGKOK FOR USAID /OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR A. DWYER 
USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA R. THAYER 
USAID W/ FOR ANE/AA AND DCHA/FPP 
GENEVA FOR N. KYLOH 
USUN FOR OFDA REP 
BRUSSELS FOR P. BROWN 
ROME FOR USAID/OHA H. SPANOS 
SECDEF FOR SOLIC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC FOR J3/J4/J5 
PACOM FOR J3/J4/J5 
NSC FOR P. MARCHAM 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID SOCI PREL KPAO SENV EAGR RP
SUBJECT: SUPERBLY EXECUTED U.S. MILITARY TYPHOON RELIEF EFFORT 
WRAPPING UP IN PHILIPPINES 
 
REFTELS:  A) Manila 2136 B) Manila 2131 C) Manila 2125 D) Manila 
2112 E) Manila 2098 F) Manila 2089 G) Manila 2070 H) Manila 2056 I) 
Manila 2049 J) Manila 2046 
 
------------------------------------- 
"Couldn't Have Survived Without U.S." 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶1. (SBU)  In recent days, both Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto 
Romulo and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro (concurrently head of 
the Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council)communicated 
to the Ambassador their deep gratitude for U.S. disaster relief 
assistance in the wake of Typhoon Ondoy (reftel A).  Both 
Secretaries concurred with the Ambassador's assessment that the 
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) could capably manage remaining 
relief work and that it was time for the highly successful U.S. 
military flood relief efforts to end.  The Ambassador assured 
Secretary Teodoro that USAID efforts would continue and that the USG 
would remain engaged as the Philippines rebuilds after the worst 
flooding in forty years. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
Lives Saved, Ties Strengthened, Expertise Demonstrated 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) U.S. military personnel engaged in Typhoon Ondoy disaster 
relief efforts saved lives, improved interoperability and 
strengthened ties with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) units, 
while generating good will for the United States.  In the disaster's 
early days, the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines 
(JSOTF-P) deployed land, sea and air assets to rescue stranded flood 
victims and ferry the injured to hospitals.  As the number of 
Filipinos displaced by the calamity topped 700,000, the armed forces 
and government of the Philippines requested that U.S. sailors and 
marines arrive ahead of the already scheduled Philippines Bilateral 
Exercise (TALON VISION/PHIBLEX) to provide humanitarian relief. 
These personnel provided medical assistance to 4,500 patients, 
delivered over 28,000 food packs and distributed more than 700 boxes 
of clothing to flood victims.  Deploying heavy equipment diverted 
from PHIBLEX, U.S. troops also removed some 1500 cubic meters of 
debris and cleared almost three kilometers of Metro Manila 
thoroughfares.  The U.S. military's fast, flexible expertise 
improved the lives of thousands of Filipinos and demonstrated the 
value of humanitarian assistance training. 
 
--------------------- 
USAID Remains Engaged 
--------------------- 
¶3. (SBU) USAID continues to work with the Philippine government, 
international organizations, donors and non-governmental 
organizations (NGOs) to coordinate on meeting immediate humanitarian 
assistance needs which are foreseen for the next three months. 
Additional grants to NGOs are still under consideration for relief 
efforts.  USAID is currently taking into consideration UN 
assessments that show Typhoon Parma destroyed approximately 60% of 
the corn and rice crop in Northern Luzon.  This area of the 
Philippines is known to be the number one corn producer and number 
two rice producer in the country, which will affect food 
availability in the rest of the country over the long-term. 
¶4. (SBU) USAID is also currently reviewing its on-going portfolio of 
development programs to address issues that will arise in the 
recovery and rehabilitation phases.  USAID's Health Team is working 
with the Philippine Department of Health to determine its priority 
needs.  USAID's Education Team is coordinating with the Philippine 
Department of Education to assess the damage done to public 
libraries and schools.  USAID is considering providing a donation of 
reading books and materials to these public libraries and schools in 
Metro Manila and surrounding areas.  USAID's Energy and Environment 
Team is currently assessing Department of Environment and Natural 
 
MANILA 00002140  002 OF 002 
 
 
Resources capabilities to address solid waste management and the 
extent that USAID can provide technical assistance. 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
Media Coverage of the U.S. Contribution Continues 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶5. (U) Print and broadcast media extensively covered President 
Obama's message of condolences to the Philippine people for the loss 
of life and property from Typhoon Ondoy/Ketsana.  During October 8 
radio and cable television interviews, the Ambassador noted that 
U.S. military personnel will transition from relief operations to 
joint U.S.-GRP military exercises (Talon Vision/ Philippines 
Bilateral Exercise) by Saturday October 10.  The Philippines' 
premier daily, the Philippines Daily Inquirer, featured photos of 
the Ambassador and the head of the Philippines National Red Cross 
distributing relief supplies at an evacuation center in Quezon City, 
Metro Manila, while  other dailies quoted the head of the Metro 
Manila Development Authority thanking U.S. troops for clearing 
roadways of flood debris. 
 
---------- 
Next Steps 
---------- 
¶6. (SBU) Barring unforeseen circumstances, it is likely that 
conditions will allow for a scaling down of U.S. military disaster 
assistance in the next two days.  USAID will continue crisis and 
health counseling efforts, and utilizing the $1.8 million in 
disaster assistance in the most productive way to alleviate 
suffering in the Philippines. 
 
Kenney