Photo By Staff Sgt. Anne Henry | U.S. and Philippine service members attend the closing ceremony of an engineering...... read more read more
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PHILIPPINES - U.S. and Philippine Forces concluded the bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2013 with closing ceremonies at Tagburos and Macarascas Elementary Schools Oct. 16.
During the course of PHIBLEX, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit provided medical and dental care to the local Barangay residents as well as built new facilities such as bathrooms, a septic tank and a pavilion.
The day began with a ceremony at Macarascas Elementary School where service members from both countries had constructed a pavilion together. The pavilion can now be used for protection from the weather during school activities.
“It has been a great privilege and honor for the U.S. and Philippine forces to come to our school,” said Lybeth M. Mendoz, the principal of Macarascas Elementary School. “We are very lucky to be the recipient of such a project.”
Another closing ceremony was held in the afternoon at Tagburos Elementary School where U.S. and Filipino service members constructed a septic tank. The tank itself, which will last up to 50 years, was built to replace one that broke a few months ago.
“Having this pavilion was only a dream when I was the principal here five years ago,” said Redempto P. Cervantes, the supervisor of local district three schools in Puerto Princesa. “Now, today, thanks to the hard work of the U.S. and Filipino forces, that dream has been recognized.”
Simultaneous to the engineering civic assistance projects local Barangay healthcare workers and U.S. and Filipino service members provided medical and dental care to local residents.
“Many of the people here do not have the means for medical care." said Gunnery Sgt. Cyrus Nator, a civil affairs officer with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. “By providing medical and dental care here, we have improved the lives of the people as well as expanded the relationship we have with the Philippine forces.”
The projects, which took place during PHIBLEX 13 on Palawan, provided the local communities with vital resources to improve the quality of life of the local population. It also improved the bilateral capabilities of the U.S. and Philippine forces while strengthening the relationship between them.
“We have all put our hearts and souls into the projects that took place here,” said 1st Lt. Tuan V. Pham, the site officer in charge at Tagburos, attached to the 31st MEU with Combat Logistics Battalion 31. “We have had the opportunity over the past week to provide the local people here with services that they can utilize for years to come.”
| Date Taken: | 10.16.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.22.2012 00:59 |
| Story ID: | 96530 |
| Location: | PH |
| Web Views: | 313 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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