A memorandum of understanding between the Government of the Philippines and the United States was signed today that will allow the American Battle Monuments Commission to assume operations and maintenance of Clark Veterans Cemetery.

In January 2013, President Barack Obama signed into law the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans’ benefits Improvement Act (Public Law 112-260) directing ABMC to operate and maintain Clark Veterans Cemetery following an agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States. In accordance with the law, the U.S. State Department immediately entered into negotiations with the Philippine government, culminating in today’s signing of the MOU.

While PL 112-260 authorized $5 million to restore the cemetery, no funds were provided to ABMC. Initially, ABMC will perform basic maintenance with staff operating from Manila American Cemetery.
ABMC also will begin an assessment of the maintenance, restoration and operational requirements of the cemetery to determine funding requirements, which will form the basis for a fiscal year 2016 funding request.

Established in 1923, ABMC commemorates the service, achievements and sacrifice of the U.S. armed forces. For more information about the Commission’s commemorative mission, visit www.abmc.gov or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.comabmcpage.