CPA hosts Cuban Ambassador Jorge Jimenez on Second Baguio Visit

BAGUIO CITY (December 7)-The Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA), the College of Social Sciences of the University of the Philippines-Baguio and the government of the City of Baguio, hosted H.E. Jorge Rey Jimenez - the Ambassador of the People's Republic of Cuba to the Philippines. His Excellency would be in the City from December 5-9, 2007 where he will be addressing participants in a series of fora in the UP, SLU and UC. His presentation would revolve on the current situation of Cuba and of forging solidarity relations among the peoples of Cuba and the Philippines.

This is the second official visit of the Ambassador to the City. The first was from June 1to 3 on the invitation of the CPA where he shared the history of Cuban revolution and the current situation of Cuba.

"The CPA gladly participated in hosting the Ambassador as part of its International Work of forging solidarity relations with other peoples of the world, as the experience of Cuba serves as an inspiration and learning for the Filipino people", said CPA Chairperson Beverly Longid.

Longid added that "The people of Cuba have shown that, one, a national democratic revolution against imperialism is possible. Cuba is a country smaller than the Philippines and only 90 miles away from the United States. Second, the Cuban experience has debunked the claims of certain political analysts that socialism is passé with the collapse of the USSR and China. However, it has shown the viability of socialism amidst capitalist globalization. The continuing socialist reconstruction in Cuba has brought immense benefits and welfare to its people."

Cuba has one (1) medical doctor for 158 populations; a literacy rate of 98.8% where education is free at all levels; and a life expectancy of 77.6 years. It has self-reliant economy wherein one (1) US dollar is equivalent to 0.80 Cuban centavos.

The official visit has resulted to the formation of an adhoc committee of the Philippine-Cuban Friendship Association or AMISTAD. The AMISTAD is an organization of Filipinos from different sectors of Philippine Society who have come together in friendship and solidarity with Cuba. AMISTAD was founded in 1987, and accepts foreign friends who support Cuba duly referred by friendly organizations.

His Excellency, together with the City government will work on the forging of sister-relations between Baguio City and Cuba. #