The United States government has completed the construction of a P17 million worth of multipurpose hall in Palawan to serve as a relief shelter for residents during disasters. Completed by the US Naval Engineers of Seabees, the structure will also be used as a community center for the elderly and persons with disabilities, the US Embassy in Manila said. According to the embassy, the facility in Barangay Luzviminda is the village’s first designated disaster relief shelter that will enhance the community’s resilience to natural calamities. "This is a significant milestone in our organizations’ commitment in providing immediate and effective assistance to those affected by natural calamities and disasters," Philippine Navy WESCOM Commander Vice Admiral Alberto B. Carlos said. Carlos said disaster preparedness is a collective responsibility," so we "must work together across all sectors to serve the community, build resilience, and enhance our capacity to respond effectively to any future disaster that may come our way." In his remark, US Navy Detachment Philippines Officer-in-Charge ENS Huy Duong said the US government’s collaborative effort with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in constructing the shelter "has yielded substantial results." "It has bolstered engineering capabilities, enhanced interoperability, and played a pivotal role in providing essential support during natural disasters," he said. The project, the embassy said, is the continuation of a bilateral effort between the Philippines and United States to strengthen their alliance and provide engineering support to local communities throughout the Philippines. The embassy gave assurance that the US Navy Seabees will continue to collaborate with local government units on other infrastructure projects, including the construction of a classroom for the Carlos National High School in Brookes Point, Palawan.