Ambassador Kenney Visits Tawi-Tawi, Opens New Development Projects

Assistance from the American people is helping to improve local economies and education for residents in some of the Philippines' most remote regions. U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney visited one such place, the island of Tawi-Tawi in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, on July 27 to inaugurate projects that were made possible by U.S. assistance. (Above photo) Ambassador Kenney inaugurated the Bongao Port in Tawi-Tawi, which was upgraded as part of a joint U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and World Bank project that extended the pier to accommodate larger vessels; built a stairway for easy passenger access; and constructed a passenger terminal building. She met with local government officials; visited the Qudwa Cooperative for Women, which the American people have supported through the donation of sewing machines; and visited Mindanao State University to meet with alumni of U.S.-sponsored exchange programs that have helped bring students and residents of Tawi-Tawi to the United States on program relating to conflict resolution, inter-ethnic dialogue and youth development. Ambassador Kenney also watches as students from Notre Dame of Bongao High School demonstrate projects they have created on computers which were provided by the United States under a USAID program to connect schools in remote areas to the Internet. (PHOTO RELEASE)