Kerry to visit Tacloban today

MANILA, Philippines - US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit storm-ravaged Tacloban City to witness first-hand the recovery efforts and discuss American assistance in the relief and reconstruction efforts during his two-day visit to the country starting today.

This will be Kerry’s first visit to the Philippines as secretary of state.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday that Kerry would meet President Aquino and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

He will discuss with senior Philippine officials the broadening of economic and security cooperation and strengthening of people-to-people ties.

Kerry will also meet top business leaders in Manila to thank the private sector for its work in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda.

He will discuss how to advance US-Philippine economic relations.

The state department announced last week Kerry’s travel to the Philippines, “our longtime US friend and ally.”

Kerry was forced to postpone a trip to the Philippines in October because a typhoon preceding Yolanda was approaching.