16 December 2013 - The Philippines and the United States (US) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Regarding Cooperation, Restoration, Operation and Maintenance of the Clark Veterans Cemetery on Monday, December 16.

Mr. Arnel Paciano D. Casanova, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bases Conversation and Development Authority, signed the MOU for the Philippines side while United States Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg signed the MOU for the US side.

The MOU will take effect upon signature and will be implemented by the Bases Conversation and Development Authority (BCDA) of the Philippines and the American Battle Monuments Commission of the United States.  The MOU provides these two implementing agencies with a cooperation framework on the approval of new burials and on the upkeep of the Clark Veterans Cemetery. 

With the signing of the MOU, the United States government will provide a U$ 5 million fund for the rehabilitation of the Clark Veterans Cemetery.  The Philippine Government, through the BCDA maintains titles to the lands covered by the Cemetery.

The Clark Veterans Cemetery is a seven-hectare cemetery established in 1947 at the old Clark Air Force Base as a final resting place for Filipino scouts and American veterans. END