TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA)- The 2024 Balikatan Exercise under the Humanitarian and Civic Assistance program brought its first on ground project to the Philippines following the cornerstone laying of the two classrooms at Alannay Elementary School in Lasam, Cagayan recently.

Derived from the Tagalog term meaning "shoulder-to-shoulder," Balikatan exemplifies the collaborative efforts between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States in addressing infrastructure shortage in the Philippines.

According to Lt. Col. Tyrone Barrion, Force Engineer of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (IMEF), the two forthcoming classrooms are expected to be completed on May 8, this year, with 25 troops from the US joining the construction.

One classroom is earmarked for Grade 2 students, offering a dedicated space for foundational learning while the other will serve as a multimedia hub, catering to various faculty needs and facilitating interactive teaching methodologies.

Barrion said the vertical construction schools allow the US and the Philippine military engineering teams to exchange skills they need to learn from each other during the construction period.

On his part, Capt. Daniel Kristian Asheim of the 9th Expeditionary Squadron, US Marine Corps, shared his deep connection to the Philippines, recounting the enduring partnership between the two countries and his grandfather's history as a former deployed member of the US Marine Corps in the country. 

"It is important for me to continue the legacy of mutual defense with the Philippines shoulder-to-shoulder and be able to share that legacy with my grandfather from the Philippines, that 56 years ago is an absolute honor and privilege,"  Asheim said in his message during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Asheim emphasized the beauty of the Philippine culture, practices, and landscape, underscoring the honor and privilege of continuing his family's legacy of mutual defense.

Looking ahead, similar projects, including the construction of medical facilities as well as additional schools in Northern Luzon are in the pipeline.

"The partnership between the Philippines and the US will continue with regards to identifying more locations in Northern Luzon and identify more projects based on the priority of the Philippine Government sent to us and the capability the US can bring," Barrion added. (ALM/MFJ/PIA-2)