Strengthening relationships brick by brick

Courtesy Photo | First grade students at Monticayo Primary School take notes during a class, Oct. 4, 2010. The school is undergoing a bilateral engineering capabilities project, built by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Marines from 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011. PHIBLEX is a bilateral training exercise and security assistance program between the U.S. military and the AFP, and is designed to ensure disaster relief efforts are more responsive, efficient and effective. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Kris B. Daberkoe/Released)  

PAMPANGA, PHILIPPINES

10.04.2010

Courtesy Story

3rd Marine Division     

Cpl. Brandon L. Saunders
3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade Public Affairs

PAMPANGA, Republic of the Philippines – Marines and sailors assigned to 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade and airmen from the Philippine air force have been working together for the past few weeks improving quality of life in the Philippines.

Breaking ground Sept. 19, Marines and airmen began building a two-room classroom at the Monticayo Primary School in the Barangay of Sito Monticayo Calumpang, Mabalacat Municipality, Pampanga province. The teams of both U.S. Marine Corps and Philippine Air Force engineers are scheduled to finish construction later this month.

The Republic of the Philippines and U.S. armed forces have been conducting medical and construction projects such as this for the past 27 years. The purpose of these projects is to share techniques and ideas while enhancing social development.

“Every year that Phiblex has occurred, we have participated with our AFP counterparts in a variety of [Civil Military Operation] projects. This includes but has not been limited to the construction of health clinics and schools, medical and dental missions and community outreach projects,” said Maj. Horace J.C. Bly, civil affairs officer, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

“[The locals] are very supportive of us being here,” said Sgt. Charles E. Gregory, a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 3rd MEB. “They even cooked food for us, because they want to be involved as well.”

With everyone contributing to the construction efforts, the project is moving ahead of schedule, said Gregory. Construction of the two-room classroom at Monticayo Primary School is scheduled to be completed Oct. 19 with the dedication ceremony the following day.

The humanitarian civic action project includes a complete overhaul of the school's current electrical and plumbing systems. Currently, the students are forced to use alternative facilities in the Barangay as restrooms. During classroom hours, the windows and doors must be left open in order for the students to receive enough light to see.

“This will give the children a better learning environment,” said Cpl. Wesley O. Rippetoe, a water support technician, MWSS-172, MAG-36, 3rd MEB. “They will have better electricity, plumbing and other necessary amenities.”

Teachers of the Monticayo Primary School still teach in the older classrooms, which are right next to the construction of the new school.

“I'm very happy. I'm glad they are here to build this classroom. It's a big help to us,” said Ma'Theresa T. Salunga, a first grade teacher.

Salunga's enthusiasm for the humanitarian civil action is also shared by her colleagues.

“We are proud of having the Marines here,” said Maylon D. Manalato, a 4th and 5th grade teacher. “This project is a big help because these children are a blessing.”

For more stories and photos from Phiblex '11, visit www.facebook.com, keyword “Phiblex '11.”

• Date Taken: 10.04.2010
• Date Posted: 10.11.2010 06:21
• Story ID: 57867
• Location: PAMPANGA, PH