PH-US soldiers build schools in Puerto Princesa

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan, Mar. 27 (PIA) -- Soldiers from the Philippines and the United States begin simultaneous construction of five school buildings as part of the engineering civic activity projects (ENCAP) of this year’s Balikatan.
The ENCAP project sites are in the public elementary schools of Inagawan, Tagbarungis, Bacungan, Buenavista, and Sta. Cruz.
Major Anthony Neil Estrella, public information officer of the Western Command said that the true essence of the Balikatan is in the humanitarian and community services shared together “shoulder to shoulder” with the local communities.
He said that construction of the new schools, which started much earlier than the actual dates of the Balikatan scheduled on April 16-27, was expected to take about 30 calendar days to complete and that this year’s Balikatan would be more than just enhancement of the interoperability of both forces. Rather, it focused on responsive partnership with the community, particularly on disaster management.
Apart from the ENCAP, there are also other humanitarian activities such as medical, dental and veterinary services to be conducted in selected barangays in this city.
Balikatan 2012 is the 28th exercise and is conducted yearly under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States Military Forces. (LBR/VSM/PIA-Palawan)
By Victoria Asuncion S. Mendoza