The Philippine government welcomed on Thursday a resolution filed in the United States House of Representatives urging the US federal government to support local relief efforts to help victims of two consecutive weather disturbances that hit the country in the past weeks. Malacaňang on Thursday expressed gratitude for US House Resolution 800 filed by California 12th District Rep. Jackie Speier in the US Congress, which calls on US President Barack Obama to continue assisting the Philippines in its efforts to address the deaths and damage to property caused by tropical storm “Ondoy” (Ketsana) and typhoon “Pepeng” (Parma). “We are very happy and thankful for the resolution,” deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. Fajardo said the move was also very timely since President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo recently appealed to rich countries to assist the Philippines in rehabilitation and relief efforts after rains brought by Ondoy and Pepeng caused massive damage to infrastructure, agriculture and private property. She also said she hopes that Obama and the US government will “heed” Speier’s call and pass the resolution. “If it will be successful, it will be a start of a good move that will make other countries follow as well,” she said. The Department of Foreign Affairs also thanked Speier and the rest of the international community for their efforts in extending help to those affected by the twin cyclones that devastated the country. “We are grateful to Representative Speier and other friends for their support and solidarity with our people during these difficult times,” Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ed Malaya said in a separate interview.

Full Story: GMA News/Yahoo PH