US envoy arriving this month

MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed United States ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Loss Carlson will arrive in the Philippines by the end of the month, a top embassy official said last Friday.

“We are very excited to welcome very soon our new ambassador… She will be here in the Philippines by the end of the month,” US embassy chargé d’affaires ad interim Heather Variava said at the sidelines of the reception held in celebration of the 246th anniversary of US independence.

Variava added that Carlson is currently in Washington, DC to prepare for her tour of duty in the Philippines.

The US Senate confirmed Carlson’s appointment as the next US ambassador to the Philippines last May.

She was appointed by US President Joe Biden to replace Sung Kim, who ended his tour of duty in 2020.

A career member of the US senior foreign service, Carlson previously served as deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

She also worked as deputy chief of mission in New Delhi, India for three years, including a 10-month stint as chargé d’affaires ad interim.

Carlson has been a foreign service officer since 1985, serving at US diplomatic missions in China, Ukraine, Hong Kong, Mozambique, Kenya and the Dominican Republic.

Stronger ties

During the reception, Variava said they look forward to working closely with President Marcos and his team “to secure a prosperous, healthy and safe future for the peoples of both our nations.”

“Every day, I am awed and excited by the power and impact of the Philippines-US partnership. At its core, our friendship and cooperation unlock the potential of our peoples through the exchange of ideas, expression of opinions and policies outpouring of opportunity,” she said.

“The democratic norms and ideals that form the backbone of our robust ties will guide the friendship between Americans and Filipinos well into the future,” she added.

The US diplomat underscored the strong historical ties between the US and the Philippines, highlighting ongoing cooperation to address some of the most pressing issues of the time.

She cited how the two countries worked together to address challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years.

“As a steadfast partner, the American people have donated more than 33 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the Philippines; just last week, we welcomed 300,000 more doses and we have more on the way. We look forward to continuing to partner with the Philippines to fight the pandemic,” she said.

“While COVID-19 has demanded much of our energy and resources, we have learned from the experience. And now we move forward together to build a new future,” she added.

Variava also mentioned that they look forward to developing new trade and investment opportunities that create jobs and spur economic growth.

“Together, we look forward to partnering on clean energy solutions, protecting marine and terrestrial resources and tackling the climate crisis. Together, we look forward to supporting peace and security throughout the Indo-Pacific region,” she said.

“And together, we look forward to creating educational and leadership opportunities for youth, to offer them, and their communities, a brighter future,” she added.