Ambassador Goldberg in Subic and Olongapo

March 8, 2014August 30, 2014 Vic Vizcocho 0 Comments

alcaraz — Ambassador Goldberg Visits Subic and Olongapo. Captain Ernesto Baldovino shows Ambassador Goldberg the bridge command center on the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) during his visit to Subic and Olongapo. The U.S. provided the former U.S. Coast Guard ship to the Philippines as part of the US-Philippines military-to-military relationship.(USEmbassy)

03mar - us envoy visit-4 — US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg, along with SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia, gets a warm welcome from former Subic Naval Base workers during a courtesy call Monday morning at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. The former base workers have scheduled a grand reunion on March 16-22.

U.S. Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg concluded a successful trip to Subic Bay and Olongapo on March 3, 2014 where he met with Mayor Rolen C. Paulino, and other city officials, and visited the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16).

At meetings with Mayor Paulino, Police Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta, and Col. Pedrito Delos Reyes, Ambassador Goldberg discussed local concerns and how the Embassy and local governments can work together to address important issues. He thanked the Government of the Philippines for dedicating valuable resources to combat human trafficking and for its support for increasing the number of U.S. troop visits to Olongapo and expanding the Liberty Area for visiting U.S. sailors.

Ambassador Goldberg toured the Subic Bay Freeport Zone with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Roberto Garcia and met with Subic Bay Chamber of Commerce President Rose Baldeo. Chairman Garcia noted to Ambassador Goldberg that 2013 was a record year for new investments in the Freeport and for SBMA profits. Ambassador Goldberg also visited the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), one of two former USCG Hamilton-class cutters acquired by the Philippine Navy from the United States in 2013. This visit served as an introduction to these vessels, which now represent the bulk of sea-based combat power for the Philippine Navy. The Ambassador noted that this U.S.-Philippine partnership is a positive contribution to Philippine maritime security.