Outgoing ambassador holds talk on Philippines-US security relations

His Excellency Harry K. Thomas, outgoing ambassador of the United States to the Philippines, delivered his last talk for the students of the University July 23 at the 13^th floor the Henry Sy Sr. Hall. This talk, entitled “Realizing the complexities of the 21^st century: Opportunities and challenges of the Philippines-US Security Relations”, focused on the different ways by which the US was able to help the Philippines in different aspects.

The ambassador has been visiting the DLSU community for a number of years now, an practice which was strengthened the University’s relationship with the American embassy. In the same way, he hopes for a “more robust relationship with the Philippines”. This was achieved through various programs the US Embassy has executed.

He cites the Balikatan exercises as one of the programs. This exercise, aimed at establishing a closer bond between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is an annual military exercise between the AFP and United States Military. This year’s Balikatan Exercise was concentrated on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR). The presence of the military officials was felt during the calamities the country has recently experienced, he shares.

Apart from helping the Philippines in its military forces, it has also contributed in the country’s education and healthcare. Education, Thomas says, is something the Philippines must focus and improve on. The current drop out rate now is around 70 percent, with most students dropping out of school by the time they finish the second grade. If this continues, he says, there would be more chances of unemployment.

To help in addressing this issue, he shares that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been providing scholarships to deserving students in Mindanao. These scholars are taking up courses in mining engineering, as the country’s mining industry is slowly improving. Students are enrolled at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Palawan State University in Puerto Princesa City, and Cebu Institute of Technology. In the future, he aims to send scholars to other universities.

USAID also hopes to provide accessible healthcare for all. Thomas observed that quality maternal healthcare in the Phlippines was only available for those who have the money to pay for it. He also noted the high rate of maternal mortality here in the Philippines, adding that USAID and the Department of Health (DOH), have been working closely together to come up with new developments to alter the current state.

These programs, however, are only meant to help in the development of the Philippines, and that the main solution lies in the youth today, he says.