CAGAYAN -- The 37th iteration of the Philippines-US Armed Forces Balikatan exercises formally began in Cagayan through the simultaneous groundbreaking ceremony for school buildings under the Engineering Civic Action Program or ENCAP.
Four schools -- Taggat Sur and Pinas Elementary School in Claveria town; Masi Elementary School in Rizal town, Cagayan; and San Francisco Elementary School in Alicia, Isabela were given a funding of $ 100,000 each by the US government.
Each building measures 18x17 square meters and is expected to be completed in April this year.
17th Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Oliver Logan said such Balikatan exercise will be an opportunity for the US Air Force to share their skills with Philippine Army troops.
It also aims to strengthen the army’s friendship with the forces and to exchange knowledge, tactics, and other means in other aspects.
The official also reiterated that no live firing exercise will take place in accordance with the resolution of the Cagayan Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) led by Governor Manuel Mamba, which was approved by the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces.
Austin Koch, USAF, US officer-in-charge said that ENCAP will serve as a stepping stone for US and Philippine Armed Forces' cooperation in the construction of new buildings.
The US government will also provide the equipment until the project is completed.
“We will be providing materials and other heavy equipment for the construction of the classrooms. We are very willing to teach Filipino forces on using these advanced technologies as they will be teaching us how to build buildings in their own way. We will work side by side. Now I am pretty much excited to learn the innovative process from Filipinos,” Koch said.