MALATGAO, Philippines

Courtesy Photo | MALATGAO, Philippines (Oct. 2, 2019) Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, pose with school staff, Philippine Seabees, and Philippine Marines at the Malatgao National High School ribbon cutting ceremony. NMCB 4 is forward-deployed throughout the Indo-Pacific region ready to support major combat operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and to provide general engineering and civil support to U.S. and joint forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Construction Electrician 2nd Class Ji Han/Released)  

PHILIPPINES

10.03.2019

Courtesy Story

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4

MALATGAO, Philippines - Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 celebrated the completion of a two-room schoolhouse alongside the Commanding Officer of Marine Battalion Landing Team 4, Executive Office of 2 NMCB, Philippine Seabees, Philippine Marines, local government officials, and teachers at Malatgao National High School, Oct. 2.

Malatgao National High School was founded in June 2016, with four small classrooms to teach 57 students from seventh to tenth grade. Attendance has steadily increased to a current enrollment of 155 students and due to the rapid growth in the student population, the school was in desperate need of additional classroom facilities. To relieve the school’s overcrowding, Construction Detail Palawan was tasked to build a two-room schoolhouse that provided additional facilities needed for a safe learning environment for the students and faculty alike.

Eighteen U.S. Navy Seabees and 12 Filipino Seabees from 2NMCB began working on the new schoolhouse Aug. 1. Since then, the joint US-Philippine Seabee team worked tirelessly to provide a safe and quality classroom environment for the students in Malatgao.

“As a Crew Leader for the first time, I couldn’t be happier with my crew and quality of construction we delivered here in Palawan,” said Builder 2nd Class Miracle Webb. “It is my most sincere hope that we not only gave beyond expectation to the community with our construction skills but with our hearts and as people. I am certainly leaving the beautiful area of Palawan with my heart filled.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new classrooms was a highly anticipated event for the Seabees and school officials.

“I really appreciate all the efforts these young men and women put into this school, rain or shine,” said Malatgo High School Principal Mely Cabildo. “I am so grateful for this schoolhouse. My students have even been asking me when they can move their desks and chairs into the building. They can right after the ceremony.”

Since their arrival in April, Construction Detail Palawan completed two schoolhouses in the Narra region. The schoolhouses provide needed facilities to ensure a quality learning environment for over 312 high school students. These civic assistance projects help local Filipino communities improve the quality of education and help Seabees further hone their construction and engineering skills.

NMCB 4 is forward deployed throughout Indo-Pacific region ready to support major combat operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to provide general engineering and civil construction support to U.S. and joint operational forces.

• Date Taken: 10.03.2019
• Date Posted: 10.07.2019 19:04
• Story ID: 346248
• Location: PH