'Balikatan 2014' HCA activities kick off in Albay

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 21): 'Balikatan 2014' HCA activities kick off in Albay

The humanitarian and civic assistance (HCA) activities of the United States-Philippines "Balikatan Exercise 2014" kicked off in Legazpi City, Albay on Monday.

This was disclosed by Lt. (SG) Annaleah Cazcarro, Combined-Joint Information Bureau co-director, who said that HCA activities being conducted by American forces involved in "Balikatan 2014" include free medical, dental and veterinary care in poor sections of Legazpi City.

Aside from this, American troopers will also construct and repair schools and other community infrastructure in selected communities.

Cazcarro said Filipino troopers will be helping their American counterparts in these community development activities.

As of this posting, the above-mentioned events are still ongoing.

The "Balikatan" exercise focuses on training members of both Philippine and US armed forces to provide relief and assistance in the event of natural disasters and other crises that endanger public health and safety.

It is slated for May 5 to 16 this year.

Additionally, military service members from both countries will conduct combined staff exercises and field training in Crow Valley, Fort Magsaysay and Clark Field to improve their interoperability and contingency planning.

"Balikatan 2014" is the 30th iteration of the annual exercise.

This year, the Philippines and the United States have invited a number of personnel from other regional partner nations to attend a portion of the exercise.

“Balikatan” in Filipino means "shoulder-to-shoulder" and characterizes the spirit of the exercise.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=636465