The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of National Defense (DND) have partnered to improve infrastructure inside military bases under the convergence program “Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad” or “TIKAS.”
A groundbreaking ceremony was held earlier for the construction of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division (7ID) headquarters with a tactical operations center at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.
“Kailangan na kailangan po ng ating AFP. Kung titingnan niyo po ang mga facilities nila, kulang ‘yung barracks, naluluma na. Kami po’y natutuwa na nakkatulong din po kami sa ating mga bayani,” DPWH Sec. Mark Villar said.
Aside from the headquarters, other military facilities and road networks are included in the convergence program in Fort Magsaysay with total funding of Php 273 million.
The “TIKAS” project is part of the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program that aims to reinforce the armed forces’ ability to provide service and security.
“Seldom po kaming nare-releasan in the AFP ng mga tinatwag po nating capital outlay. So, with this partnership with DPWH, mas madadali po at matutulungan po kami in the repair and maintenance, even construction of our facilities,” 7ID Spokesperson Charles Castillo said.
Meanwhile, the DPWH is happy with the current progress of the projects under “Build, Build, Build” which is the flagship economic development program of the Duterte administration. – Report from Patrick de Jesus
