BAGUIO CITY – United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said 2024 is a banner year for the relationship of the US and the Philippines, citing fruitful trade missions and first-of-its-kind visits of high-ranking officials.
“When we look at the last 12 months, we have a lot to celebrate in the US and Philippines relationship. I can confidently say that 2024 is a banner year for US-PH ties as friends, partners and allies,” she said during the annual Christmas reception of the US Embassy at the Ambassador’s residence at Camp John Hay on Tuesday.
Carlson mentioned the trade and investment mission led by Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and senior executives of 22 prominent businesses and non-profit organizations in March, which resulted to around PHP55-million worth of fresh investments.
She also mentioned the joint visit of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in July, the first-ever US-Philippines 2-Plus-2 held in Manila.
She explained the 2-plus-2 is a jargon in diplomatic speech where two senior defense and foreign affairs officials visit at the same time, a rare event.
“If you think about it, it is hard to bring Secretary Blinken and Austin together in one room in Washington but imagine, they come all this way to be with their counterpart in the Philippines, which really underscores the US-Philippines relations,” she said.
Austin was again in the Philippines about two weeks ago for the ground-breaking of a new command and control center at Camp Aguinaldo, which will allow the armed forces of both countries to coordinate on exercises and operations in person and in real time.
Carlson further talked about breaking the record in the people-to-people ties.
“I had a chance to talk to your journalist and we talked about how we have processed at the Embassy more visas in the past 12 months than any time in the history of this relationship. Our ties, are at a record high including sending a number of people to study at US higher education institutions,” she said.
Carlson also mentioned of the commitments from the legislative, executive and the business sectors in the US that have been unequivocal in expressing their support for the Philippines.
“I am confident that the strong bipartisan support in this relationship will continue through as the US government transitions and well to the future,” she said.
“It was really such a momentous year and I expect an incredible positive momentum, a hyperdrive will continue in 2025,” she emphasized.
Meanwhile, Carlson underscored the historical significance of Baguio City during the World War II.
“Next year, we will mark the 80th anniversary of World War II. As all of you know, the war came to an end in this residence on September 3, 1945. (Japanese Army General Tomoyuki) Yamashita signed the instrument of surrender in front of (US Army) (Lieutenant) General (Jonathan M.) Wainwright on the very table that still graces the dining hall,” she said.
The Christmas reception is an annual event hosted by the US Ambassador for the officials and residents of this city, which was established when the Americans saw Baguio as the rest and recreation facility for US servicemen. **Liza Agoot
