⌛ U.S. Navy in Dumaguete

I think DENR is pretty competent at monitoring compliance and they do walk the walk. Local politics can slow them down though. Western companies would have the ethos and physical measures to prevent accidents. Nothing is ever perfect, but like I said, they do make a hell of a lot of effort.

What does worry me is if there is a surge of mining/oil investment from areas of the world with no environmental focus. China comes to mind easily. Cashed up and looking for plunder...Get them into the Philippines on a large scale and wave goodbye to what remains now...

 

Ok, Ok....easy on the Sailors of the US and their purpose here. The US and P.I. have been working together for many years and the US has done nothing but help P.I. Anybody remember WWII when the Japanese committed so many atrocities here?
Yes, some the young immature sailors, after months at a time out to sea get a little rowdy and can be loud and obnoxious, but how were we when we were kids? Were we all angels? No..
I am sure that the US will definitely keep the environmet in mind when doing oil exploration (If they are in fact doing this, it is all a rumor ya know) and who knows, the Filipino government may have asked them to come here and help.
And as far as the Sailors "playing" with children, I am sure that it is strictly to be friendly and to be able to mix with the locals here, and to bring nothing but positive input and good will to Dumaguete and it's citizens.
And did you know that the ONLY Veterans Administration Hospital located in a foreign country is located right here in P.I. in Manila? They provide FREE health care to both US and Fillipno veterans.
So enough American bashing for those who did. Let's don't let a few bad apples spoil it for the majority and let's not let them form an ill opinion about all Americans.
The USA spends billions of dollars on good will missions all over the globe and doesn't ask for anything in return. Our military is involved in most of these peace keeping and good will missions, and the intentions are all well.
As a former member of the United States Military, I can personally attest to this fact.
Respectfully,
Texas

 

guys...i can't wait to hear from those sailors in the ship in this forum. For sure, those firts timer are eager to know dumaguete, get information and come back when they can.Then we can have the two side of the story, why they are there in duma.

 

they are here to build houses for the underprivileged folk of Negros.

 

Oh good! Now THAT is the American way....LOL..

 

How many countries does the foraign community, meaning us of course, represent here in P.I.
We have German and Swiss and American as far as I can tell na...Who else?

 

the Sailors shouldn't be saying anything about their mission, cuz If they are, they are not supposed too.

 

India, part of US 3rd Pacific Fleet activities. Navy Ships conduct routine humanitarian operations in support of US foreign policy goals linked to US/FIL relationships. This type of boat patrols this part of the Pacific all the time partly due to the positive relationship between Manila and Washington and as a patroling presence in the vicinity of the Chinese mainland and area of influence. Humanitarian and relief operations are normal; like i said there have been 6 such visits in the country since September. Also, this type of boat could be in the area to provide support to the Phil Navy as part of its operations in/around Mindenao against Abu Sayyaf Group or enroute/returning from the Strait of Malaka where the US Navy provides security to ensure freedom of transit. these port calls are arranged by teh US Embassy in Manila and the PHilippines Government and Military BEFORE any such activity could occur. Same thing occurs in nearby Malaysia and Indonesia with US Surface Warfare vessels. This boat is not designed to conduct oil exploration or drilling. See US Embassy news at Embassy of the United States in Manila

In case anyone is wondering, the US is not the only country that does port calls in the Phils. I'm just happy someone was thinking when they selected Dumaguete as a port call location. they could not have found a better place for US sailors to see and visit a real and normal filipino city....not Olongapo or Angeles where there are way too many distractions and create a false impression of what the philippines is all about. Dumaguete, a beautiful city by the sea with wonderful people truly offers an education to these young men and women of the US Navy about what a spectular place the phils can be.

 

jimeve, see for yourself ,the houses they build ,.when you arrive in duma next month.Thats the news paper print says."to see is to believe". and thanks to the american for making dumaguete so alive for few days.The dollars too..and the beautiful girls from all over the country...,that invaded dumaguete.... hehehehe

 

sir, canadian too.