Balikatan in Bicol ends

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and US Ambassador Kristie Kenney graced the turnover of a 3.2-kilometer road project to officials of Pio Duran, Albay on Tuesday, signifying the closing of the humanitarian mission of the RP-US Balikatan military exercise in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate.

Also present were Brig. Gen. Ronald Bailey, deputy commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force and USMC commander of Joint Task Force Balikatan; Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, commander of the Southern Luzon Command; Maj. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan, commanding general of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division; Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, and Pio Duran Mayor Dante Arandia.

“This humanitarian assistance and training activities enable (members of) the AFP and the US military service to get to know each other better, train together and provide assistance in communities where the need is greatest,” Kenney told reporters at the Guinobatan East Central School.

“They improve their ability to operate as one team on joint projects,” she added.

The farm-to-market road constructed in Barangay Malindong, Pio Duran town connects two villages with 5,000 residents. It is expected to help farmers bring their produce to the town’s port as well as improve access to the barangay school.

Fifty-six Filipino and US military engineers started the road project last April 2.

During her visit, Kenney also witnessed the medical and dental mission in Barangay Malipo in Guinobatan, Albay, even joining a rescue and fire drill at the Guinobatan East Central School.

Asked why the Balikatan humanitarian mission was held in Bicol, Kenney said, “This is a sovereign nation and you have to ask the Armed Forces of the Philippines because they are the ones which decide (the venue of) this exercise.”

“I tell you whether with or without our annual Balikatan exercise, the United States will be a friend and a partner here,” she said, recalling how US Marines extended medical care to Albay residents after super typhoon “Reming.”

As part of the Balikatan mission in Bicol, 28 humanitarian projects were carried out: 22 medical missions that benefited 17,000 patients and six engineering projects that consisted of two water wells, two two-room school houses, and two roads.