Eight calamity resistant schools, six in Palawan and two for
Panay , are some of the positive memories left
behind by the recently concluded two-week Balikatan 2015 military exercises
between American, Australian and Filipino troopers.
Balikatan 2015 started April 20 and officially ended on
April 30.
Lt. Cmdr. Mike Guzzi, US Navy Balikatan Exercises 2015
operations officer for humanitarian and civic assistance (HCA) events, said the
combined troops constructed classrooms that could accommodate 30 to 50
students.
Guzzi said that they chose the Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa
as one of their beneficiaries because they were considering the possibility of
overcrowding in the school as effect of the newly-adapted curriculum K to12
program.
Commodore James Meyer, in his turnover speech at the Sta. Lourdes
Elementary School , lauded the combined
efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines ,
United States
He said that these buildings would be able to withstand
calamities in the future.
Meyer also said that they hope these could serve generations
after generations of Filipino students who would one day lead the country.
He added strong foundations of the school buildings they
were leaving behind to students in Palawan and Panay
are manifestations of the soldiers’ commitment to service.
“The United States
remains committed in its friendship to the Republic of the Philippines
He said that the construction of the school left behind fond
memories in the US soldiers’ minds that they would forever be treasured.
"As the soldiers are preparing to part ways as
Balikatan wraps up, we are not just leaving behind a school, not just memories.
We are leaving behind friendships...friendships that would stand the tests of
time...We'll be leaving a part of our hearts behind," he said.
Vice Admiral Alexander S. Lopez, Philippine Balikatan
exercise director, called on the students of Sta. Lourdes to take care of the
classrooms.
“We want to see these classrooms still standing eight to ten
years from now. Take care of them so future students could use them too,” he
said.
Lopez added they opted to build school buildings because
they symbolized the future of the country – the youth.
“It is where learning starts and with it you will be able to
help your fellowmen too,” he added.
Lopez thanked the students, parents and teachers for
allowing the soldiers of AFP ,
US
"Let us remember our soldiers from the AFP, US Armed
Forces and Australian Defense Forces as the builders of peace, builders of
progress, builders of development and, most of all, builders of hope," he
concluded.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=758002
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