The United States and the Philippines renewed their ties on the Pacific Partnership 2019 as the United States-led multilateral humanitarian mission kicked off on Monday. The Philippines is among the top partners of the United States along with Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Thailand, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Vietnam.
The partnership was launched in Tacloban City where it was first held when the mission started. According to Central Commander Lt. Gen. Noel Clement, the purpose of PP 2019 is actually to capacitate local government units, government agencies and other sectors to be able to respond to disasters without panicking but rather in a calm manner. He added that, in return, our foreign partners also learn from our experiences and help in formulating multinational response protocols during a disaster.
The embassy of the United States in the Philippines released a statement that says the two-week mission this year led by U.S. Navy Capt. Randy Van Rossum, Commander of Destroyer Squadron 1, and his staff aboard expeditionary fast transport ships USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6) and USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4).
During the mission, the experts in different fields that include engineering, medicine, and disaster response will collaborate with each host country to conduct civic action projects. They will also partner in community exchanges, medical symposiums, and disaster response training activities.
Cristina Romualdez, Tacloban City Mayor, said that this year's mission is focused on emergency and disaster preparedness, improving the capacity of the local government, enhancing regional partnerships, and increasing multilateral operations.
The Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division participated in the humanitarian and civic assistance mission held in selected communities in Tacloban City which started on March 10 and will end on March 24, 2019.
The Pacific Partnership 2019's (PP19) opening ceremony was held at the Patio Victoria, Barangay San Jose, Tacloban City. The Pacific Partnership is annually practiced by the two nations where forces from the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy are deployed to the Philippines to cooperate with the government and the military forces of the Asian nation along with its beneficiary local government unit and non-government organizations.
The current Pacific Partnership mission is the eight mission of the American fleet to the Philippines. The partnership conducts medical and dental missions and engineer construction projects focused on disaster preparedness, response, and rehabilitation.
Maj. Gen. Raul M. Farnacio, commander of Joint Task Force Storm, said that the 7th ID will cooperate with the United States Forces and LGUs to deliver much-needed services in selected communities.
