US Government: Philippines & Indonesia Poised to Lead East Asian Region Towards Economic Prosperity & Democracy
27 February 2008 -
Ambassador Willy C. Gaa today welcomed the continued confidence the US
has on the economy and on democracy in the Philippines, citing the
recently released U.S. State Department 2009 Congressional Budget
Justification Report.
In its Report, the State Department said that the Philippines, along
with Indonesia, is “poised to lead the East Asian and Pacific region
towards economic prosperity and democracy.” Over half of the budget
request of the State Department for Fiscal Year 2009 for the East Asia
and Pacific region has been devoted to these two countries.
In addition, the 2009 Congressional Budget Justification Report states
that “the East Asian and Pacific region includes some of the most
impressive democratic transformations of our time in places as diverse
as South Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Mongolia and Taiwan.” With
regard to the Philippines, the report states that the country has
achieved significant peace, development and security enforcement gains.
The Report notes that there is a need to further support the efforts of
the Philippines to bring growth and development in areas where there are
some terrorist activities. With this in mind, the U.S. government
intends to partner with the Philippines as a key country for assistance
programs under the Economic Growth category to help address underlying
conditions such as poverty and underdevelopment.
In terms of U.S. security objectives, the Philippines, along with
Indonesia and Mongolia, are cited in the report as key allies of the
U.S. in the war on terror in the East Asia and Pacific region. These
three countries and partners of the U.S. will be receiving major
portions of the request for assistance programs under the Peace and
Security category. In its justification for key increase for assistance
under this category, the report takes note of the successful
counter-terrorism and law enforcement programs in the Philippines and in
Indonesia.
“This report clearly shows that the U.S. government recognizes the
Philippines as a leading partner in the war on terror in the region and
gleaming example of a vibrant economy under a democratic system,”
Ambassador Gaa said.
“The Philippine Government appreciates the support of the U.S.
government in our efforts to address those challenges that remain to be
hurdled in our Government’s pursuit of establishing a strong and
prosperous democracy for the Filipino people,” Ambassador Gaa added.
He emphasized that the Philippine Embassy will continue to engage key
decision makers and Philippine stakeholders in Washington in pursuing
Philippine interests in the U.S. END.