SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga, Philippines - Governor Lilia G. Pineda ensured Friday the safety of all foreigners in Pampanga, particularly Americans who have sought permanent residence or a retirement home in this province. Pineda made this assurance to US Consul General Michael Schimmel when the latter paid a courtesy call on her on Thursday afternoon. In the course of his visit to the province, Schimmel looked into the condition of US veterans and hundreds of American citizens who had decided to spend their retirement years in the province. She said that one of the priorities of her administration is the maintenance of peace and order and the protection of all people - be it Filipinos or foreigners. Pineda said there is no cause for worry over terrorist threats in the province.
She emphasized said that because "we continue to implement measures to maintain a stable peace and order situation in the province by conducting regular dialogues with all concerned sectors." "In fact, our office recently provided more funds for police intelligence to make sure there is sufficient security for big companies as well as safety for both local and foreign investors here," the governor said. Knowing that the Philippines gets its share of calamities in the form of typhoons, floods and earthquakes, Schimmel asked about the government's disaster readiness to which Pineda said "we have a plan against all kinds of potential disaster and this will be implemented to ensure the safety of all, foreigners or locals
