US, Filipino soldiers construct school building in Bataan

By Ernie Esconde | PNA

ORANI, Bataan — American and Filipino soldiers are now almost halfway in constructing an additional school building for the Pag-asa Elementary School in an upland village here.

The project is one of the humanitarian and civic assistance undertakings under the Philippines–United States Balikatan Exercise which will officially be held April 1-12.

Taking part in the construction of a one-storey, two classroom-building in Barangay Pag-asa are members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, specifically from the PAF’s 355th Wing and their American counterparts.

The construction began last March 12 and is set to be finished on April 12 this year.

Roberto Surait, Grade 6 teacher of Pag-asa Elementary School, said they have more than 300 pupils in the school.

“May 48 – 51 pupils ang bawat classroom namin kaya kailangang-kailangan ang additional classroom. Suwerte kami at kami ang nabigyan ng Balikatan (There are 48 to 51 pupils in our every classroom, that is why there is a need for an additional classroom. We are lucky that we were given by the Balikatan),” he said.

Surait said construction of the sturdy and nice building is fast.

The said facility is one of the two projects included in the Engineering Capability Program activities of Balikatan 35-2019.

“The partnership between the countries involved in this activity creates change not only in transforming the Philippine Army but also in shaping the environment. We are looking forward that this project would enhance and develop a peaceful place for education and learning,” said Lt. Col. Felix Emeterio Valdez, acting Battalion Commander of 48th Infantry (Guardians) Battalion, in a statement.

Aside from the construction of the school building in this town, Filipino and American soldiers are also renovating elementary schools in Laguna and Batangas provinces.

Popular

Palace tackles updates on upcoming PBBM SONA, issues response on timely issues

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet At the Malacañang press briefing this Tuesday, July 15, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro discussed...

PBBM OKs proposed P6.793-T budget for 2026 —Palace

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the proposed P6.793 trillion national budget for 2026, Malacañang announced Tuesday. In a press briefing, Palace...

LTO resolves long-running backlog of license plates

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet In a press conference this Tuesday, July 15, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) reported the completion of the agency’s backlog of...

PBBM: Malampaya Phase 4 key for cheaper, reliable power supply

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday conveyed his administration’s full support for the Malampaya Phase 4...