THE WASHINGTON DIPLOMAT GOLF TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS THE PHILIPPINES
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The Washington Diplomat’s Embassy Golf Tournament this year featured the Philippines, providing an
opportunity to highlight the Philippines as a preferred destination for international tourism and investments.
Held at the Cross Creek Golf Club, the Washington Diplomat’s 6th Annual Embassy Golf Tournament was
conducted under the patronage of Ambassador Willy C. Gaa.
An estimated 140 golfers attended the event, including ambassadors and other diplomats from at least 10
Embassies.
The Philippines and its flag were featured in all of the Washington Diplomat’s promotional materials.
At the closing ceremonies, Philippine products such as pearls, handcrafted items and award-winning San
Miguel Beer were awarded to the tournament and raffle winners.
The Washington Diplomat welcomed the opportunity to partner with the Philippine Embassy on the event, noting
the special ties between the Philippines and the United States.
Ambassador Gaa thanked the Washington Diplomat for the collaboration and encouraged tournament players
to learn more about the Philippines.
The Washington Diplomat is a monthly newspaper with an estimated select readership of 100,000 and
circulated among DC-based embassies, the United Nations, the World Bank and IMF offices, the White House,
the Department of State and the US Congress, among others. END.
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Participants at the Washington Diplomat’s 6th Annual Embassy Golf Tournament prepare for simultaneous
tee-offs at the Cross Creek Country Club here. Miniature flags in the foreground highlighted the Philippines
as this year’s Tournament Patron. Around 140 golfers participated in the event. END
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On display are some of the tournament prizes for the Washington Diplomat’s 6th Annual Embassy Golf
Tournament which included Philippine pearls, handcrafted items and San Miguel Beer packages. This year’s
Tournament was held under the patronage of Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa. END
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Ambassador Willy C. Gaa awards one of the raffle prize winners with a Philippine package consisting of
handcrafted items and Philippine pearls during closing ceremonies of the Washington Diplomat’s 6th Annual
Embassy Golf Tournament. This year’s Tournament was held under the Ambassador’s patronage. An
estimated 140 golfers participated in this year’s event, including ambassadors and diplomats from at least 10
Embassies in Washington, D.C. END
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Mindanao peace mechanisms in place for next RP leaders
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President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s peace initiatives in Mindanao have paid off and mechanisms are in place
for the next administration to build upon the gains to sustain peace and development in the region, Secretary
Jesus Dureza, chairman of the newly-created Mindanao Development Authority (MDA said today.
Dureza added that the ceasefire between government forces and the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
has been holding and has contributed to the right atmosphere necessary for the peace negotiations.
“On the whole there are mechanisms in place to keep the peace sustained in Mindanao. The President said
there is peace on the ground right now. And we hope the building blocks that have been set over the years will
be there for the next President to take off from. But the efforts for peace have paid off so far,” Dureza said during
a media briefing today in Malacanang.
Meanwhile, Dureza said the President has tasked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
to continue helping some 80,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) temporarily housed in the 56 evacuation
centers mostly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Dureza said a number of number of humanitarian institutions, foreign and international entities and even the
MILF are actively helping government efforts to restore normalcy in the lives of these IDPs.
As it is now, Dureza said the worst is over in the peace problem in Mindanao, although there is still much to be
done to fully develop and sustain peace there.
Amid this period of what he calls as one of “guarded optimism” among Mindanaoans, Dureza said they have
come up with a Mindanao 2020 Plan which is a product of dialogues, consultations and groups discussions
from among all sectors in Mindanao.
“Hopefully we can present the plan to the next administration so that they can take a look at it as a product of
what Mindanaoans want for themselves,” Dureza said.
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Viscaya road project draws "warmest" welcome for PGMA
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Belance, Dupax, Nueva Viscaya -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo received expressions of gratitude here
today from Novo Vizcayanos led by Bishop Ramon Villena of Bayombong, Lone District Rep. Carlos M. Padilla
and Governor Maria Lloren Cuaresma at the inauguration of a 13.193-kilometer concrete road.
The new road connects the hilly regions of Dupax del Norte to Quirino province and to Aurora further north to the
plains of Bambang, Aritao, Solana and Bayombong.
“This road, which you promised me during my birthday two years ago, is a fulfillment of the strong friendship and
a strong evidence of the deep love and, compassion for the indigenous peoples and for those living in the
uplands, who are in dire need of infrastructure and other support from the national government,” said Bishop
Villena in a note to the President.
“At the start, doubters said it is impossible, but you have shown us all and the doubters most especially, that
this road which is your personal commitment to the Novo Vizcayanons, can be completed and we are here as a
living testament to the fulfillment of such a commitment,” Villena added.
Villena said “this road will forever remind us of you and your love for the indigenous people and the Novo
Vizcayanons. You are the only President who stepped in our province not once but thrice already.”
“As your term ends, please bring with you our love, admiration and gratitude for all the things that you have done
for this province and for the entire country. Even if you are not judged well by the present generation, history will
be kind to you,” Villena added.
Gov. Cuaresma praised the President for being the only national leader to set foot in Bayombong and Nueva
Vizcaya very often. Before hundreds of people she stated that President Arroyo is her “ idol” in getting things
done.
Rep. Padilla, a resident of Belance, recalled that while still a mayor of Dupax del Norte, “it would take me 4 to 5
hours to traverse from Belance to the town proper of Malasin.
He praised the Department of Public Works and Highways for a job well done. This road will definitely improve
the lives of the people here in Belance and eventually bring us closer to the province of Quirino.”
“Like what Bishop Villena said, President Arroyo will go down in the history of this country, especially the
province of Nueva Vizcaya, as a road builder not only of our province but of the entire Republic of the Philippines.
I am very confident that history will be very kind to you,” Padilla stated.
“While this road is officially known as the Dupax-Belance Junction National Road, unofficially we will call it
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo National Secondary Road,” Padilla said, adding that his first bill when
Congress opens is to rename the new road into PGMA National Highway.
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