A new training facility for military reservists will soon be built inside the General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) led the groundbreaking of the four-storey AFP Reserve Command (AFPRESCOM) training building on Tuesday, April 19.
DPWH Secretary Roger Mercado said the new facility is being built as part of the Tatag ng Imprastraktura sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) program which is a convergence between the DPWH and the Department of National Defense (DND).
“This training building project will be able to provide a safe and secure space for the manpower development of reserved forces so they can better perform their duties as future frontliners in protecting the nation and providing assistance in relief and rescue operations during local or national disaster, and for other civil assistance activities for the Filipinos,” Mercado said.
The AFPRESCOM training school building is envisioned to “hone and develop personnel and be enlisted as reservists” through the two primary mode of enlisting or training: military orientation training course (MOTC) and basic citizens military training (BCMT).
Mercado said that the new facility has a funding allocation of P40 million in the 2022 budget. It will be built on a lot area measuring 273 square meters and floor area of 1,092 square meters.
The ground floor of the facility will provide additional office space for officers while the remaining floors will house the classrooms for trainings of the army reservists.
The facility will be able to groom commission officers which may come from licensed professionals like doctors, nurses, and lawyers, Mercado added.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Vice Adm. Rommel Anthony Reyes, AFP deputy chief of staff; Col. Vicente Ronatay, commander of AFP Reserve Command; and other representatives from the DPWH