By Alex J. Villanueva, Jr.
“IT WAS a tremendous success,” said Paul W. Jones, deputy chief of mission for the U.S. Embassy in Manila, of the holding of the RP-US Balikatan civic-military exercises this year in some parts of the country, including Palawan.
Jones, who graced the culmination of Balikatan’s humanitarian mission and civic projects on March 3 in Balabac, said the two-week Balikatan 2008 participated in by American and Filipino soldiers benefited some 18,000 Filipinos.
Under the Balikatan exercises, medical, dental and veterinary services were held, schools were constructed and repaired, as well as other community infrastructure.
A total of 2,503 Balabac residents availed medical and dental services in the three-day activity and two classrooms were constructed at the Balabac National High School, said Maj. Samuel Cabang, commander of the Western Command’s Force Protection and Civil Military Operation of Balikatan ‘08-Palawan.
Jones said medical and dental services and the construction of two classrooms at Balabac National High School are really needed in this Muslim-dominated remote town which is located in the southern tip of the province and only a few hours away from Kota Kinabalu and Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia.
He related the US government is committed to the Philippine soldiers and in assisting communities through development and humanitarian programs.
He lauded the Balikatan participants and the support of town officials headed by Mayor Shauib Astami for their efforts to work together and assist island residents in need of humanitarian outreach.
”They worked together and learned from each other,” he said, citing that Balikatan means Americans and Filipinos are shouldering the load together to help the greatest possible number of people in need.
The US official thanked Mayor Astami for his hospitality and generosity, saying the latter even provided food to the participants during the six-day activity.
”Mayor Astami as well officials and residents of Balabac are a wonderful host. Your generosity and hospitality will be remembered,” he said. “We will never forget our forged partnership and relationship.”
To which Astami replied: ”I am very happy that Balabac has been given little attention. We can’t repay, but I pray that the almighty God will shower more blessings to the United States and to the American people.”
He also praised the participants, particularly those involved in the construction of two classrooms, who worked day and night despite the continuous rains during the endeavor.
The Muslim mayor expressed hope another Balikatan would be held in the town, as he pushes for the construction of the circumferential road in the town proper.
On the other hand, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Usec. Edilberto Adan, who likewise graced the occasion, revealed that a total of 26 infrastructure projects in Mindanao were completed in this year’s Balikatan which focused on humanitarian and engineering civic action projects.
”We can work together, we can reach even the remotest island in the country,” he said, referring to the Balikatan in Balabac which was participated in by approximately 300 US soldiers aboard USS Harpers Ferry led by Cdr. David Bossert.
Adan praised the spirit of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) and Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) which allows American troops to help poor Filipinos. He urged local government unit officials to continue supporting the military exercise.
A total of 6,000 US troops and 2,000 Filipino soldiers participated in this year’s Balikatan (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) exercises in Mindanao, Crow Valley in Tarlac, Clark, Fort Magsaysay, Subic, Cavite and Palawan.
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