Binay leaves for US today

MANILA, Philippines –  Vice President Jejomar Binay will leave this morning for the United States to speak with World Bank officials on disaster risk management and urban development.

He will also meet with US housing and human trafficking officials to discuss sustainable policies and programs for implementation in both countries.                                     

Makati City, which Binay headed before becoming vice president, was cited by the World Bank as one of the so-called “Climate Resilient Cities” in the East Asia and Pacific region for green initiatives such as electric jeepneys.         

The Philippines has also pushed for “more decisive and united” steps by the international community to combat trafficking in persons.                                                                  

A tenth of the Philippine population is composed of migrants.                                                                                        

In July, the Philippines called on the United Nations to support the resolution that launched the UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons.                               

The resolution, unanimously approved by acclamation last July 31, launched the Global Plan of Action described by the Philippines as “a framework of action to eliminate a crime that has no place in the modern world.”                                      

The Philippines is also a founding member of the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking consisting of 20 countries.