Pacific Unity 2013 builds partnership by constructing a school in Palawan

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 21): Pacific Unity 2013 builds partnership by constructing a school in Palawan

Aiming to strengthen “strategic trust” and improve coordination between the two armed forces, the Western Command and the U.S. Pacific Air Forces will join forces on a month-long activity called Pacific Unity 2013 starting Aug 26.

In a pre-construction conference Wednesday at the 570th Composite Tactical Wing headquarters, wing commander Brig. Gen. Conrado Parra said the PU 2013 will be participated in by the City Philippine National Police Office, the city government of Puerto Princesa, the Department of Education City Schools Division, and barangay officials of San Jose and San Pedro. Several humanitarian civil assistance and civil military operation activities in the city of Puerto Princesa will ensue on August 26.

“The AFP trhu WESCOM will conduct joint and combined HCA/CMO with the US PACAF and in collaboration with partner agencies of the government and private sectors in the Province of Palawan particularly in the PPC in order to enhance the response capability of both Armed Forces and stakeholders during the time of disasters and calamities,” Parra said.

Airmen from 570th CTW and US PACAF will be working in the tropical heat of Palawan for at least 28 days. Classrooms of the Virgilio Magbanua Memorial Elementary School in San Pedro will be renovated, and one brand new building will be constructed from the ground up through the hard work, dedication and teamwork of these Airmen, and local contractors.

Pacific Unity is a bilateral Engineering Civic Action Program conducted in the Asia-Pacific region in collaboration with host nation civil authorities and military personnel under the direction and coordination of 13th Air Force A7, Joint-Based Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

“It is one thing to see USAF Airmen working hand-in-hand with PAF Airmen and to know that this relationship helps build peace and stability in the region. It generates an entirely different sort of emotion to hear about what it means to these Airmen and contractors and their community,” Parra told the Philippines News Agency (PNA).

The scope of the project include adding new roofs to the existing classrooms, putting in new windows, renovating toilets and installing sinks to the bathrooms so the kids can wash their hands, creating drainage for runoff water when it rains, re-cementing classroom floors, and painting buildings among several other projects.

The most significant part of the project is the brand new school building they will build from the ground up that will serve as an additional classroom.

A medical and dental civic action program will also be conducted at the same site during the dedication and turn-over ceremonies by September 20. A classroom repair at the Kiddie Day Care in Abordo village, San Jose as the alternate site will also be conducted.

"We're here shoulder-to-shoulder, hand-in-hand as one, sharing skills and ideas. But this is not just for our Air Force to get civil engineering training. This joint project is for the children – it is for the Palaweños,” Parra said.

Pacific Unity helps cultivate common bonds, foster goodwill and improve relationships between the U.S. and the Philippines by conducting bilateral humanitarian and civic assistance operations.

The relationships built and sustained with Asia-Pacific region partners through exercises, civil military operations, and military exchanges help tremendously in humanitarian efforts and in preserving peace and stability.

By working together on exercises and exchanges such as Pacific Unity 2013, it increases the ability to respond quickly and effectively together to provide assistance now and for future disasters or crises.

Parra said the success of Pacific Unity 2013, however, is not measured solely by the renovated classrooms and new schoolhouse, but by the camaraderie of two nations working hand-in-hand and the long-lasting relationships that have developed over the course of this month-long project.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=557343