AMBASSADOR VISITS ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH PROJECTS IN BOHOL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 003154 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/RSP STATE PASS TO USAID FOR ANE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SENV SOCI RP SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH PROJECTS IN BOHOL ¶1. Summary. Ambassador traveled to the island province of Bohol on September 6 to highlight U.S.-supported development projects that improve children's health and protect natural resources. Ambassador met with the governor, a local congressman and several mayors. The visit highlighted improvements in the region's healthcare and the protection of natural resources that were made possible through U.S. partnerships with local government and non-governmental organizations. End Summary. Bohol -------------- ¶2. Bohol is the 10th largest island in the country, located in the central Philippines approximately 50 miles southeast of Cebu City. Bohol's capital is Tagbilaran City. A narrow strait separates the island of Cebu and Bohol and both share a common language, but the people of Bohol (Boholanos) retain a conscious distinction from their compatriots in Cebu. A number of Bohol tourism destinations are famous throughout the Philippines and the region including: the 1,268 uniquely dome-shaped mountains known as the Chocolate Hills; Spanish-built churches that date back to the 16th century; and the reclusive Philippine tarsier, the world's smallest monkey. Bohol's primary exported commodity is limestone. Other major exports include rice, bananas, mangoes, cattle and hogs, fish and native products. Protection of Bohol's Natural Wonders -------------- ¶3. Ambassador visited the Tarsier Conservation Center in the municipality of Corella to observe community-based efforts to protect the habitat of the tarsier, one of the world's smallest primates, an endangered species, and a Bohol tourism icon. Support for the Center's tarsier habitat preservation program is provided by the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, an entity created to manage a debt-relief program under the U.S. Tropical Forest Conservation Act. The foundation funds 31 projects in the Philippines and gave this tarsier center $29,000 for operations. The Center's staff showcased information displays and an orientation video before leading the Ambassador on a short hike through a preserve where several tarsiers of various ages were observed in their natural habitat. ¶4. Near Carmen a professional tour guide from the Governor's office led the Ambassador to a scenic overlook and explained the geology of the unique and distinctively dome-shaped Chocolate Hills. Following the tour, the Ambassador and Mayor discussed the impact of tourism on Carmen and ways to best preserve the area's natural beauty for future generations. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) -Philippines President and USAID/Philippines environment staff provided their insight on best practices. ¶5. Information materials that were developed with USAID assistance were turned over to a representative of the Bilar community during a visit to the Bohol Biodiversity Research Center and Tree Nursery. Following the ceremony, the Center's manager, a former Peace Corps Volunteer, provided an overview of the Center's waste management and recycling efforts and led the Ambassador on a tour of the tree nursery that comprises species native to Bohol. The Center's staff assisted the Ambassador and her travel companions in planting individual trees to mark the visit. Governor and Peace Corps Volunteers on the River -------------- --- ¶6. The Governor hosted the Ambassador for lunch at another popular Bohol tourist destination: the Loboc River. The Governor and Ambassador were joined by Congressman Edgar Chatto and four Peace Corps Volunteers assigned to Bohol. The setting, a boat ride on the Loboc River, provided an excellent opportunity to discuss environmentally-responsible tourism in Bohol with the Governor, while the Peace Corps Volunteers shared their experiences supporting improved coastal resource management and education projects. Ambassador praised Bohol's stunning natural beauty and the proactive steps taken by the Governor, Congressman and other public and private sector leaders to preserve Bohol's natural resources. USAID Health and Environment Ceremonies -------------- ¶7. At the capital city of Tagbilaran the Ambassador attended a USAID ceremony to initiate the first province-wide Childhood Tuberculosis (TB) Control Program in the Philippines. The Ambassador also launched the "Going Green" toolkit for the local tourism operators, developed by WWF-Philippines and USAID. The events highlighted the impact of U.S. assistance to the public and private sectors that contributes to the preservation of the natural environment and the improvement of children's health. Ambassador offered praise for the initiative and commitment of local stakeholders to protect precious natural and human resources. She MANILA 00003154 002 OF 002 also expressed deep appreciation for the partnership that exists between Boholanos and the American people, as exemplified through the projects supported by USAID and Peace Corps in Bohol. ¶8. Ambassador also inaugurated a privately-operated midwife clinic, the third such clinic established in Bohol through a partnership between USAID and the Integrated Midwives Association of the Philippines-Bohol (IMAP-Bohol). IMAP-Bohol seeks to improve the quality of and expand access to maternal and child health services in the private sector. Ambassador toured the new facility and then joined a buntis (pregnancy) party for approximately two dozen local women. Ambassador read questions from the clinic's trivia cards designed to provide accurate maternal and child health information to expectant mothers. Outreach through Media -------------- ¶9. Ambassador gave a live radio interview at the DYRD-AM radio station in Tagbilaran, which was the first time an American Ambassador had ever visited the station. The station's programming is mostly in the local dialect (Visayan) though most listeners also understand English. Ambassador highlighted the natural beauty of Bohol and U.S.-supported efforts to help harness the province's tourism potential while protecting the environment. She also praised the provincial and city governments for their commitment to children's health through support for the USAID-funded TB Childhood Control Program and private-sector midwife clinics. Local print media was extremely positive and captured the Boholanos deep sense of appreciation for ongoing U.S. assistance to improve children's health and preserve the natural environment. KENNEY