DVIDS: NMCB 3 builds relationships in Cebu, Philippines

From DVIDS (Oct 13): NMCB 3 builds relationships in Cebu, Philippines

CEBU, Philippines – Seabees, from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3’s Construction Civic Action Detail (CCAD), Philippines, held groundbreaking ceremony to commence construction of a new, two classroom building at Biasong High School in the province of Cebu, Sept. 14.

The ceremony marked the beginning of a three month project in conjunction with the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) Philippines, Armed Forces Philippines (AFP), and the Department of Education Philippines (DepEd) to build classrooms for the students of Biasong High School.
Distinguished Guests included, Lt. Cmdr. James Dohm, NMCB 3 Operations Officer, and Cmdr. Lyndon Ruiz, Civil Military Officer U7, Central Command, Armed Forces Philippines, and local community leaders.

The day kicked off with the project crew and school teachers enjoying a traditional Filipino meal. Construction Electrician 3rd Class Shaqile Read opened the ceremony with a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, followed by Philippine National Anthem and performances of traditional Filipino songs and dances by the school’s children.

"It was a great opportunity for us to interact with the local community and for the community to meet the people that will be building their school to learn what the Seabees do and see the camaraderie between the two nations," said Lt. j.g. Tyler P. Anderson, NMCB 3, CCAD Cebu officer-in-charge.

The guest speakers, Mr. Darwin Cuyos, the School’s Principal, Mr. Ace Binghay, City of Balamban Mayor and Cmdr. Lyndon Ruiz U7, CENTCOM, AFP, all expressed their sincere gratitude toward the U.S. Navy Seabees. Binghay also encouraged the community to join the Seabees in an effort to make this a community experience.

As a Humanitarian Assistance project in conjunction with the Armed Forces Philippines, this project allows the Seabees to assist the community in need, while increasing interoperability with Philippine Forces and building the relationship between the two nations. The new classrooms will provide some relief for the overcrowded school located in a rural area of Cebu that was impacted by Typhoon Haiyan in late 2013. 

The ceremony concluded with leaders of the NMCB 3’s project crew and the distinguished guests breaking the ground, officially beginning the construction process. The groundbreaking ceremony was a communal bonding experience between the locals and the Seabees.

"We are excited to be working alongside the Armed Forces [of the] Philippines,” said Anderson. “They have their own unique skill set which we can learn a lot from and a great opportunity for us to teach them how we do things while building lasting relationships along the way."

The CCAD's mission is to execute engineering civic assistance projects, conduct skills exchanges with the host nation, and perform community relations events to help enhance shared capabilities and maintain relationships.

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