BALIKATAN 2009

Filipino Ingenuity, US Technology

Pio Duran, Albay - Philippine Army Engineers from the 565th Engineer Construction Battalion and US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit work hand in hand in repairing damaged portions of the road connecting Barangay Malidong and Buenavista in the municipality of Pio Duran, about 62km southwest of Legaspi City, the provincial capital of Albay.

Filipino Engineers providing practical solutions to certain scope of works, coupled with the high-end heavy engineer equipment of the US Marines resulted to speedy implementation of the project. The 3Km all-weather road will soon form part of the costal highway that will link Pio Duran with the tourist destination town of Donsol, Sorsogon. Presently, amidst threat from terrorists and harsh weather condition, but with the full support of the Local Government Executives and whole hearted cooperation of the populace, the RP-US Engineer Team was able to account for 38% project accomplishment and expects to finish the project on the given timeline.



 

 

The joint effort of the RP-US Engineers is part of Balikatan 2009, an annual event aimed at improving the combined planning, operational readiness and inter operability between AFP and US Forces. In Bicol Region, Balikatan is focused on undertaking infrastructure projects that intends to improve the socio-economic condition of the people, especially those living in far flung communities.