San Jose mayor welcomes, backs RP-US Balikatan 2016

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 29): San Jose mayor welcomes, backs RP-US Balikatan 2016

Mayor Rony L. Molina of this capital town gave assurance of support to the men and personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police who initiated the media briefing and orientation in relation to the forthcoming RP-US Balikatan exercises.

He said in his welcome remarks during the said media briefing held Tuesday at the San Jose Municipal Hall Activity Center that the San Jose-LGU is giving its all-out support to the exercise by granting the requests of the military and police for various services.

Molina said that he had already instructed his department heads and other allied agencies of the LGU like the Bureau of Fire, the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council, the MEEDO, and others to do what is expected from their end. The ambulance and emergency medical services will be made available in cases of emergency, he said.

Other requests include the deployment of additional janitorial service men, traffic enforcers and more supply of water - potable and for personal use. Rentals and payments for these services will be provided by the U.S. Air Force.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Ray C. Tiongson stressed the important role of the media in spreading the news and the positive effects of the forthcoming 32nd Balikatan Exercises 2016 as well as the younger generation to explain to the old folks, particularly those who have phobia of the past World War II, that this event is just an exercise and there’s nothing to fear about it.

The Balikatan Exercise is on its 32nd year and this is the first time that the province of Antique was included in the venues/areas for the said exercise. The venues include the San Jose seaport, the EBJ Memorial Airport at Funda – Landing and the Camp Fullon in San Fernando, all in San Jose town.

“This exercise,” said Lt. Col Tiongson, “is very beneficial to the Philippine government and that in as much as we are part of this, we are also making history in our province.”

The three main activities related to Balikatan 2016 are the humanitarian civic assistance project; combined simulator support event and the interoperability operations event which included combined logistic points, amphibious landing which will take place on April 11 at San Jose seaport; and air assault and/or air drop at EBJ memorial airport.

Expected participants are 300 personnel of the U.S. Air Force and 150 from the Philippine Air Force.

Balikatan 2016 is set on April 4 with an opening ceremony and Press Conference at Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz, until April 16 with the San Jose, Antique seaport, and the air assault from April 11-14, at the EBJ Memorial Airport.

Lt. Col. Tiongson also noted that the defense forces of Japan and Austria will come as observers.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=871049