US-Philippine air force engineers lay foundation for new schoolhouse

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Fahey | U.S. and Philippine air force engineers smooth out concrete while laying the new Omaya schoolhouse's foundation. The project was one of eight engineering civic action programs being performed by JCMOTF units in support of exercise Balikatan 2013. Balikatan 2013 is an annual Philippine-U.S. bilateral exercise. Humanitarian assistance and training activities enable the Philippine and American service members to build lasting relationships, train together and provide assistance in communities where the need is the greatest. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chris Fahey/ Released)  

ZAMBALES, PHILIPPINES

04.02.2013

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Fahey 

Exercise Balikatan       

ZAMBALES, Philippines - U.S. and Philippine Air Force engineers laid the concrete foundation for the new Omaya schoolhouse, April 1, marking the first major construction milestone for the combined team.

Interwoven with steal rebar, the 60-by-28 meter concrete pad will be the permanent home for a two-classroom prefabricated building.

“You can always kind of exhale a bit once you finish the concrete,” said Air Force Construction Officer-in-Charge Master Sgt. Benjamin Bone, from the 773rd Civil Engineering Squadron. “It’s the hardest part and takes the most focus. We’ll give it about three days to dry and then begin building the actual schoolhouse. Feels great getting this done. The community is really happy too.”

Education is a valuable commodity in the Philippines. In areas where farming is basically the only occupation, a good education can allow greater opportunities for students. Missing school because of dangerous conditions causes students to struggle and that weighs on the minds of the parents.

“During the stormy season, the school tends to flood,” said Marilyn Palaylay, mother of an Omaya Elementary School student. “That scares me and many of the other parents, so we don’t let them go.”

The new schoolhouse will be on an elevated piece of land on the school grounds. This will keep the schoolhouse and children away from the river and any future flooding or other related danger.

“We are very happy about that, and our kids will be much safer,” said Palaylay.

The schoolhouse was one of eight engineering civic action projects being performed by Combined/Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force units in support of exercise Balikatan 2013.

Balikatan 2013 is an annual Philippine-U.S. bilateral exercise. Humanitarian assistance and training activities enable the Philippine and American service members to build lasting relationships, train together and provide assistance in communities where the need is the greatest.

• Date Taken: 04.02.2013
• Date Posted: 04.03.2013 01:18
• Story ID: 104509
• Location: ZAMBALES, PH