US Fed News
Copyright 2006 HT Media Ltd.
All Rights Reserved
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Republic of the Philippines — The U.S. Navy’s Project Handclasp transportation program, a private charitable organization was able to donate five ambulances and $80,000 in supplies to medical care organizations in the southern Philippines.
The USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and its Landing Craft Utility 1631 delivered the ambulances here today after picking them up in Subic Bay near Manila last week. The vehicles are being donated by the 3P (the Promotion of Peace and Prosperity in the Philippines) Foundation USA.
“I’m a firm believer that the private sector has to do its part in the war on terror,” said Armando “Andy” de Rossi, an Italian philanthropist and co-founder of 3P Foundation. “We are here jointly, with the U.S. military, to promote peace, prosperity, democracy and freedom.”
One of the ambulances delivered was presented to the local fire department here, with Chief Jamie Ramirez on hand to accept the keys. Ramirez and de Rossi were joined in a brief ceremony by Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command, and U.S. Navy Cmdr. Craig Anthony, commanding officer of the USS Harpers Ferry.
In addition to the U.S. Navy’s participation, the Philippine military is providing port services and temporary storage for the four ambulances before they go on to their destinations on the islands of Jolo and Tawi Tawi. The ambulances will be used by hospitals, the Red Cross and other medical organizations.
Commander Anthony said the U.S. and the Philippines enjoy a close relationship and that 36 of the 350 crew members serving on board the Harpers Ferry are Filipino American. “My crew and I feel privileged to have been part of the delivery of the ambulances,” he added.
Mr. de Rossi said 3P is working with the U.S. embassy in Manila to distribute nine more ambulances which are in the country, adding that he expects to bring more. These are “coming from the heart of your brothers in the U.S.A. to our brothers in the Philippines, whom we love so much.”
The U.S. military’s partnership with the 3P Foundation continues in the form of the Humanitarian Assistance Program - Excess Property (HAP-EP.) About $80,000 in medical supplies were also delivered today from the Harpers Ferry under the HAP-EP program. When the U.S. military has excess supplies no longer being used, they can be given to nongovernmental organizations, such as 3P. These medical supplies, from military units on Okinawa, will be distributed throughout the Philippines.
In addition to helping deliver the ambulances and medical supplies, members of the Harpers Ferry will participate in a beautification project at a local school Oct. 26.
The U.S. Navy’s Project Handclasp allows property of a nongovernmental organization to be transported on board ships as space allows. The program is a one-of-a-kind partnership of military, government and private sector entities and involves U.S. theater commanders, U.S. Navy operational commanders, U.S. embassies and the units of U.S. sea services.