Army launches eco-recreational park

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 11): Army launches  eco-recreational park

After three months of renovation, the 6th Infantry (KAMPILAN) Division, Philippine Army (PA) officially unveils the Matikas ’83 Eco-Recreational Park (ERP) on May 5, 2016.

The park that has a total area of 1.4 square meters formerly serves as the garbage dump of the Division.

According to 6ID Commander Major General Edmundo Pangilinan, the first thing he envisioned when he assumed last May 2014 as division commander was to make   this camp suitable and comfortable for the officers, men, women and their families  living in the compound.

“Renovations, repairs and beautification activities were done to make this camp more warm and appealing not only to the soldiers and their dependents but also to the visitors and our stakeholders,” Pangilinan said.

Having been assigned in Central Mindanao, Pangilinan explained, one of the greatest challenges facing the command was s to conduct teambuilding activities for uniformed men and women through the recreation park where military personnel can relax and unwind.

“It was late in February when the renovations started through the efforts of the Division’s post engineers, headquarters service battalion and other office personnel,” he added.

Major General Pangilinan and Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Lt. General Eduardo Año led the distribution of plaque of appreciation to those uniformed men who shared their time, effort and talent for the transformation of a former garbage dump area to an eco-recreational park.

“Sa napakatagal na panahon, nakatiwangwang lamang ang lupang ito. In fact this lot has been used as tambakan ng mga basura at ito nga we have converted into something useful and beautiful,” Pangilinan points out. (For a quite sometime this areas has been idle and unutilized.   In fact this lot has been used as garbage dumping site and now, we have converted into something useful and beautiful.)

The Matikas ’83 Eco-Recreational Park, Pangilinan said, is just one of many projects they have undertaken during the last two years.

Describing the Kampilan Division as an open camp, Pangilinan said, people are welcome to visit and see the beautiful scenery subject to strict observance of certain rules and policies.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Año recognized the Kampilan troopers’ commitment and support to contribute to the nation’s social and economic development.

He said, despite their busy schedule including efforts to putting an end to the group threats here in Mindanao they still find time to come up with ways to bring a little piece of serenity to the people in their area of responsibility.

“As defenders of the Filipino people, we must also learn   to put our weapons down once in awhile instead use our hands for nation-building,” Año said.

Año said, the park has 40 sq. meters swimming pool, jogging lane, man-made fishpond and garden landscaping – that will soon be open to the public to enhance and boost the eco-tourism potentials within the area.

“This park will serve as a symbol of peace and harmony in the years to come,” Lt.Gen. Año said

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1661462948606/army-launches-eco-recreational-park-