DVIDS: Break ground

From DVIDS (Nov 6): Break ground

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4

POOG, Philippines – It is often said in many cultures at the commencement of a gathering or meeting the persons need to “break bread.” For the Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4’s Construction Civic Action Detail (CCAD) Philippines, a different term can be used, “breaking ground.”

On the island of Cebu the Seabees of CCAD Philippines are working together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to construct a five classroom schoolhouse for Poog Elementary School. 

 Poog Elementary School serves over 1,100 students from kindergarten through six grade. The school struggles to maintain a good learning environment for their students. The five classrooms that the Seabees are building will help alleviate some of burden.

Before construction of the new school began the detail constructed a “makeshift” classroom and helped to structurally reinforce and improve four other makeshift classrooms. These classrooms transferred students from the old schoolhouse which needed to be demolished prior to the start of new construction.

With the completion of the makeshifts and demolition on Oct. 13, the Seabees were ready to start constuction. However before they could start, as per Philippine customs, there was a ground breaking ceremony.

Ceremonies are a large part of the Filipino culture. The Seabees watched as the students dance, sang, and play music for the onlookers.

"It was an amazing experience to see everything that happened,” said Construction Electrician Constructionman Christopher Evenson, one of the Seabee on the construction project. “Everyone here is so happy and excited that we are here to build this classroom. I can't wait to see look of happiness on the children’s faces when we get finished. It's just incredible."

Constructing the five room classroom in Poog will protect from weather, insects, and significant temperature fluctuations. The new Philippine Department of Education model is more likely to withstand earthquakes, a problem that has plagued most of the country.

Expecting to complete the project in March, the Seabees of CCAD Philippines continue their efforts in Poog working side-by-side with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/147127/break-ground#.VF1mFsZ0yAJ#ixzz3IQuXFY5X