US Ambassador to join 70th Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration
United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip S. Goldberg will join the commemoration of the 70th Leyte Gulf Landings Anniversary on October 20 in Palo, Leyte.
Aside from this historic event, he will also lead the inauguration of projects in said municipality in support of the rehabilitation efforts in areas devastated by typhoon Yolanda.
A media advisory from USAID Rebuild said that Ambassador Goldberg will turn over 36 sari-sari stores that were constructed and restocked with inventory through the support of the U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Coca Cola, and Procter and Gamble.
At least 1, 000 stores in typhoon-Yolanda affected areas will be rehabilitated under this partnership.
During the event, Ambassador Goldberg will also announce the establishment of Micro Enterprise Disaster Assistance Fund for Resiliency or the MIDAS Fund which is being implemented in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress.
The Php176-million (US$4 million) credit facility will enable eligible entrepreneurs from Yolanda-hit communities to borrow money in order to expand their micro enterprises.
Through the USAID Rebuild Project, the U.S. government has been working with the Government of the Philippines to restore access to education, livelihood, health services and provide technical assistance to the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR).
USAID Mission Director Gloria D. Steele, Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, Palo Mayor Remedios L. Petilla, Procter & Gamble Country Brand PR Head Anna Legarda and Coca-Cola Philippines Vice-President for Public Affairs and Communications Adel Tamano are expected to grace the activity.