Sunday, May 3, 2015

(News Features) Calamity resistant schools, a positive legacy of Balikatan 2015

From the Philippine News Agency (May 1): (News Features) Calamity resistant schools, a positive legacy of Balikatan 2015

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 and Australian Defense Forces soldiers in leaving behind typhoon and earthquake resistant structures to students.

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. These classrooms are testaments of everyone involved in its building,” Meyer said.

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 and ADF to become part of their lives even just for a few days.

"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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