Raising Awareness of Today's Philippines in the U.S. | |
2024 AUGUST - NOVEMBER
HIGHLIGHTS
| A new decade of enriching PH and US ties | |
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U.S.-PH SHARED VISION OF PARTNERSHIP, PEACE AND PROSPERITY IN THE INDOPACIFIC | |
Photo (l-r): Executive Director Hank Hendrickson and Deputy Chief of Mission (US Embassy Manila) Y. Robert Ewing co-hosted US-Philippines Society directors, Philippine business leaders and CSIS panelists, at a reception to celebrate the launch of CSIS Report, "U.S. Investment in the Philippines: More than Meets the Eye," Deputy Chief of Mission Residence Manila, 4 November 2024. Photo courtesy of US Embassy Manila. | |
Pre-Nov 5 U.S. Elections: U.S. Investment in the Philippines
"U.S. investment has been a significant contributor to new jobs in the Philippines," was the concluding statement by CSIS Associate Fellow Japhet Quitzon during the October 31 launch of the report, "U.S. Investment in the Philippines: More than Meets the Eye," in Washington DC. Quitzon and CSIS Southeast Asia Senior Fellow Greg Poling presented their findings based on qualitative research and quantitative data focusing on the last two years while noting the economic impact of the enduring presence of American companies in the Philippines for many decades. American companies NuScale Power (Energy), Accenture (business processing operations), Texas Instruments (semiconductor), Cargill (agriculture) were cited as among major U.S. investment contributors to economic expansion in the Philippines. The report and panelists also discussed constitutional roadblocks that are being addressed by PH legislature, future infrastructure development plans subject to political cycles, the legal justice system and high energy costs that are visibly seen and felt by the larger PH population. The report offered several recommendations to strengthen investment reporting including "a comprehensive database in one place using a common unit of measure."
The timely report sets the record straight in an era of prolific unverified information for public use to advance a political agenda during an election year.
In his remarks, CSIS panelist Hank Hendrickson noted that "timing is important not only in response to regional tensions, but in light of the upcoming U.S. election, and the period of transition and the policy review that will follow in the months ahead, regardless of who wins. The findings of this report illustrate how policies of engagement can be a win-win for the alliance relationship. And, we should bear in mind that election season will also be approaching in the Philippines. For those factions supporting deepened engagement with the United States, and looking for a payoff beyond the advantages of tighter defense cooperation, this report serves as a reminder that deeper engagement can deliver economic dividends, as well as security benefits."
Executive Director Hendrickson defined pointers for U.S. investors on how U.S. government supports a conducive investment climate, the complementary role of private sector and nongovernment entities like US-Philippines Society, the American Chamber and US ASEAN Business Council, a consistent messaging by President Marcos on priority areas of decarbonization, telecommunications, healthcare, critical green minerals, and to become a strategic partner in terms of metal processing for American battery application and development, technical cooperation in science, medicine, and AI. With the incoming new administration in Washington, Hendrickson urged a fresh approach in trade and investment policy including a possible free trade agreement with the Philippines in line with reasserting U.S. economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific.
Hendrickson delivered his remarks in Manila joining CSIS panelists in the launch of the report, Nov 4, followed by an evening reception co-hosted with Deputy Chief of Mission Y. Robert Ewing. The reception showcased the CSIS report findings to over thirty top leaders representing US-PH Society, private sector, government, along with senior Embassy staff.
|  | Executive Hank Hendrickson participates in the CSIS forum, Washington DC. Photo by CSIS. | Photo (l-r): Executive Dir4ector Hank Hendrickson with CSIS panelists in Manila, Senior Fellow Erin Murphy (Geoeconomics Program), Senior Fellow Gregory Poling (Southeast Asia program) and Associate Fellow Japhet Quitzon (Southeast Asia program), EDSA Shangri-La Manila, 4 November, 2024. |  | Reception hosts DCM Ewing and Hendrickson were joined by business leaders including Sabin Aboitiz (Aboitiz Capital Venture), Rene Almendras and Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala (representing Co-Chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala), Coco Alcuaz (Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas), Society directors Carlos Mendoza (JPMorganChase), Billy Liu (Chevron), Gerardo Borromeo (PTC), Dennis Wright (Peregrine Dev International), Maan Hontiveros (CEO Advisers), Derick Narvacan (Starr Insurance International), Maria Vivian Ruiz (SGV), along with representatives from IT-BPAP, Semiconductor and Electronic Industries, PepsiCo, senior U.S. Embassy staff and CSIS panelists, Manila, 4 Nov 2024, Photo by U.S. Embassy Manila. More photos | | |
VIRGINIA CONGRESSMAN BEYER AND ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCE U.S.-SOUTHEAST ASIA RELATIONS | |
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Congressman Donald Beyer of Virginia’s 8th District provided a Capitol Hill perspective on current domestic and foreign policy issues focusing on the Nov 5 U.S. elections, 2025 legislative priorities, and U.S. relations with Southeast Asia. The October 21 event was held at the Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC. The US-Philippines Society invited leaders of the Vietnam Society and the U.S.-Indonesia Society to participate, along with members of the diplomatic corps.
On the occasion of the Filipino American History Month in October and the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, he recognized the enduring and deep bonds formed as Americans and Filipino soldiers fought together, and more than a hundred thousand Filipinos died for freedom and democracy during WWII.
Fifty years after the arrival of many Vietnamese in the U.S. at the end of Vietnam War, Vietnamese American communities now constitute an important part of the fabric of American life, alongside immigrants from the Philippines, Indonesia and others. Read more
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Photo: (l-r): Ambassador (ret) Paul Jones, Moderator Executive Director Hank Hendrickson, Ambassador (ret) David Merrill, Congressman Don Beyer (VA-8), Vietnam Society Co-Founder Erin Steinhauer, and USPHS President Emeritus Amb (ret) John F. Maisto. 21 October 2024, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC | |
AMB ROMUALDEZ BRIEFING ON PH-US STRATEGIC SECURITY AND ECONOMIC ENGAGEMENT | |
Photo (l-r) Ambassador Thomas Hubbard, Executive Director Hank Hendrickson, U.S. State Senator Rita Sanders (Nebraska), Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, Ambassador Paul Jones and President Emeritus Amb John F. Maisto. 11 September 2024. Washington DC. | |
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At a September 11 briefing, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez provided his perspective on recent developments and near-term plans regarding Philippines-U.S. strategic engagement following a series of high-level meetings, congressional visits and trade missions between the two countries in the recent months. While high-level bilateral meetings have been put on hold until after the November 5 U.S. presidential election, talks on space and cyber-digital proceeded in May and July, along with exchanges on democracy and a maritime dialogue in Manila. Ambassador Romualdez reiterated his view that there is bipartisan U.S. congressional support for the Philippines, and commitments in security, defense and recently in the country’s economic prosperity.
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JPMORGANCHASE IN THE PHILIPPINES: UPBEAT ON THE PHILIPPINES AND COMMITTED TO LOCAL BUSINESS OPERATIONS | |
Co-Chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, together with directors of the US-Philippines Society and members of the Filipino business community, welcomed JPMorganChase Chairman Jamie Dimon at a luncheon roundtable, “A Conversation with Jaime Dimon.” Mr. Zobel shared his views on the importance of PH-U.S. private sector investment partnerships, along with an increase in strategic and economic engagements between the two countries. He cited the vital role played by the US-based global financial services company JPMorganChase in the Philippines.
“Over the past two years we have seen an accelerated pace of high-level official visits between Manila and Washington that has renewed investment promotion initiatives and people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and the United States. The US-Philippines Society has actively participated in these engagements. It is through these engagements that the US-Philippines Society’s binational board engages with government, but more so with private sector leaders to reinforce bonds, promote business opportunities and strengthen cooperation. As partners, we look forward to continuous engagement with all of you.”
“JPMorganChase has been an invaluable partner in the Philippines. Its financial expertise, global resources and strategic insights have supported many Philippine businesses and stood the test of time. The bank represents a deep commitment to supporting the country’s long term economic growth and stability, working hand in hand with many esteemed Philippine institutions.”
“The US-Philippines Society and JPMorganChase represent the best of what can be achieved when organizations, each with a deep conviction to work together for mutual progress, come together.”
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|  | Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO for JPMorganChase (center) with Manila's business leaders at a US-Philippines Society Roundtable Luncheon event, 25 September 2024, Manila. | |
GLOBAL POLICY STUDIES FOCUSING ON THE PHILIPPINES | |
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With growing interest in the Philippines among experienced executives and government officials pursuing advanced global policy background, Dr. Siniša Vuković of the JHU School of Advanced International Studies in Washington DC, led a group of 13 international graduate students on a one-week residency in Manila. In preparation of their capstone research, Executive Director Hank Hendrickson provided a September 6 lecture to the group with a historical perspective of the Philippine political landscape, events that shaped the US-PH relations including post-bases period in the 1990's to alignment of security interests, and robust economic engagement today. Society Co-Chair Amb John Negroponte followed, providing a perspective on how U.S. ties with the Philippines fits into America's broader strategic relationship with the region. The Society introduced the group to key institutional, business and civil society leaders to foster collaborative discussion on foreign policy, economic development and good governance while in Manila.
The Society laid out arguments for continuing US-PH engagement by the next U.S. administration noting that "a deterioration in the U.S. bilateral relationship with the Philippines would be a concession of considerable strategic advantage to others. Leaving China as the dominant player on the field risks forfeiting the advantages to the United States inherent in working to maintain productive ties with the Philippines. Continued smart engagement will best position us for new strategic and economic openings in the future and serve to maintain an enduring partnership rooted in history and tailored to meet 21st century foreign policy realities."
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US-Philippines Society Executive Director Hank Hendrickson as guest lecturer for the 2024 Master of Arts in Global Policy, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC. | | |
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EcoZone APECO: Gateway to the Pacific Ocean
Aug 15, Aurora Pacific Economic Zone Freeport Authority (APECO) executives led by President and CEO Atty. Gil Taway met with the US-PH Society and PH Commercial Counselor Kenneth Yap to discuss investment opportunities in priority industries including commercial fishing and farming, cold storage, clean energy, defense, and tourism. APECO offers special tax holiday, special corporate income tax, net operating loss carryovers and other fiscal incentives to U.S. investors.
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Archipelagic Defense Concept
September 25, Filipino political scientist Dr. Renato Cruz de Castro provided a PH perspective on current state of political affairs, 2025 elections, PH-US engagement and the broader Indo-Pacific region during a roundtable discussion with US-Philippines Society led by Amb John F. Maisto and Amb Thomas Hubbard. Dr. de Castro discussed the unfolding events surrounding China's blockage of PH attempts to resupply PH marines stationed on the Sierra Madre. The Marcos Administration has adopted a comprehensive "Archipelagic Defense Concept" to modernize its defense capabilities and protect its maritime domain within the PH exclusive economic zone.
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Commercial Counselor Ken Yap, Secretary Katrina Ponce Enrile, Hank Hendrickson and Jim Wilhelm at US-Philippines Society, Washington DC. | |
Opportunities in CEZA Infrastructure Development
October 15, Secretary Katrina Ponce Enrile, CEO of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) presented comprehensive development plans with Hank Hendrickson, Planate Management VP Jim Wilhelm and PH Embassy Commercial Counselor Kenneth Yap. US-Philippines Society Director Chris Decker recently announced that Planate plans to open its newest engineering office in CEZA which is located in the northern Philippines to support the Enhanced Defense Cooperative Agreement (EDCA) between the USA and the Philippines.
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Amentum VP Brian Roberts and BERGS representative Gene Calonge, Esq., Hank Hendrickson and other officers at the ceremonial MOU signing, Arlington, Virginia. | |
Energy Partnership: Amentum and BERGS
On October 24, US-Philippines Society Executive Director Hank Hendrickson attended an MOU signing between executives and representatives of Amentum and BERGS Gas Corporation (BGC), an all-Filipino built and owned power generation company that also offers technical and non-technical expertise. The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a commitment of endorsement and support for BGC’s solution to provide sustainable, affordable, and cleaner energy to the Republic of the Philippines.
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USAID EXTENDS TUBERCOLOSIS PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM IN THE PHILIPPINES | |
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USAID has awarded URC a 5-year, $37.3 million contract to strengthen and increase access to TB services and prevent the spread of TB in the Philippines.
Under the USAID TB-Free Luzon Activity, URC will work closely with the Philippines National TB Control Program and other government departments to empower local governments, spur local innovations, and scale up TB screening, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. The project will work across eight of the country’s 18 regions, with a focus on high TB burden areas. The project will build upon past successes of the URC-led TB Platforms activity in the Philippines that strengthened TB interventions at the regional, local government, and community levels to increase TB case detection and treatment coverage rates that increased from 60% in 2017 to 101% in 2023 and treatment success rates for drug-resistant TB increased significantly from 56% in 2018 to 84% by the end of 2023.
US-Philippines Society director and URC president Earl Gast looks forward to the formal launch and implementation of the USAID TB-Free Luzon Activity in 2025.
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The TB-Free Luzon activity will support one-stop testing services where individuals and families can learn in one day if they have TB or not. The goal is for this and other screenings to be integrated into primary care. Photo courtesy of URC. | | | | |
