A boat repair facility funded through a foreign military financing grant was recently constructed at the Naval Station Rio Hondo in Zamboanga City.
The facility will be utilized by the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) Assault Boat Battalion. It was turned over by the Joint US Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG)-Philippines on Dec. 9.
According to the US Embassy in the Philippines, it is the first of three construction projects that will help build the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) capabilities in the region.
These projects are part of a foreign military financing grant that includes more than P251 million ($5 million) for the three facilities, the embassy added.
“The PMC, together with the Philippine Navy, expresses its deep gratitude to JUSMAG for the success of this project. It is truly a sign of a good relationship between our two countries," said Maj. Gen. Ariel Caculitan during the turnover ceremony.
The Philippines is the largest recipient of US military assistance in the Indo-Pacific region, having received more than P50.6 billion ($1.06 billion) since 2015.
"Facilities like this are one of many U.S.-Philippine coordinated projects that help build and modernize AFP capabilities across the country," JUSMAG-Philippines Chief and Senior Defense Official to the Philippines Col. Stephen Ma said.
“Through joint training, key military equipment transfers, and facilities such as this structure and others like it, the United States continues to support the AFP’s modernization programs. Our mutual security cooperation remains a cornerstone of our partnership and alliance,” Ma added.