2010.11.14: November 14, 2010: US Peace Corps volunteers safe in the Philippines
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2010.11.14: November 14, 2010: US Peace Corps volunteers safe in the Philippines
US Peace Corps volunteers safe in the Philippines
Notwithstanding the advisory issued by the United States cautioning travel by US nationals to the Philippines, no less than US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas, Jr. underlined that the country is safe for the new batch of American Peace Corps volunteers. "If we did not think these people would be safe, we would not assign them here in the Philippines," said Thomas during his first official visit to Bacolod and the Western Visayas region.
US Peace Corps volunteers safe in the Philippines
US Peace Corps volunteers safe in the Philippines - Thomas
By TARA YAP
November 14, 2010, 5:06pm
BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines - Notwithstanding the advisory issued by the United States cautioning travel by US nationals to the Philippines, no less than US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas, Jr. underlined that the country is safe for the new batch of American Peace Corps volunteers.
"If we did not think these people would be safe, we would not assign them here in the Philippines," said Thomas during his first official visit to Bacolod and the Western Visayas region.
Thomas, who swore in 71 of the 137 new Peace Corps volunteers in a ceremony at Bacolod City's Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol, clarified that the US Embassy is merely cautioning American citizens.
"Our travel advisory, which has been in place since March 2005, is just telling Americans to take care before they travel to Mindanao and other areas including Manila," Thomas said.
"That's what it says - to take care," emphasized Thomas.
Thomas noted that the travel warning will not be an issue for American volunteers who have been in the Philippines for the past 49 years.
Since 1961, Peace Corps-Philippines has provided assistance to Filipino communities in the fields of education, health, agriculture, environmental awareness, and information technology.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. expressed that the US Ambassador's visit to the provincial capital was a clear indication that Negros Occidental is safe from any terror threats.
Still, security was tight during the visit of Thomas and his entourage here. Elements belonging to the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army (PA), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were deployed in all areas where the US Ambassador and his party visited.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: November, 2010; Peace Corps Philippines; Directory of Philippines RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Philippines RPCVs; Safety and Security of Volunteers
When this story was posted in February 2011, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| How Volunteers Remember Sarge As the Peace Corps' Founding Director Sargent Shriver laid the foundations for the most lasting accomplishment of the Kennedy presidency. Shriver spoke to returned volunteers at the Peace Vigil at Lincoln Memorial in September, 2001 for the Peace Corps 40th. "The challenge I believe is simple - simple to express but difficult to fulfill. That challenge is expressed in these words: PCV's - stay as you are. Be servants of peace. Work at home as you have worked abroad. Humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, Care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your cities, serve the poor, join others who also serve," said Shriver. "Serve, Serve, Serve. That's the answer, that's the objective, that's the challenge." |
| Support Independent Funding for the Third Goal The Peace Corps has always neglected the third goal, allocating less than 1% of their resources to "bringing the world back home." Senator Dodd addressed this issue in the "Peace Corps for the 21st Century" bill passed by the US Senate and Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter proposed a "Peace Corps Foundation" at no cost to the US government. Both are good approaches but the recent "Comprehensive Assessment Report" didn't address the issue of independent funding for the third goal at all. |
| Memo to Incoming Director Williams PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams |
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Story Source: Manila Bulletin
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Philippines; Safety
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