U.S., Filipino Military Work Together to Benefit More than 5,000 Students

JUBAN, Sorsogon, Republic of the Philippines (NNS) -- U.S. Sailors and Marines are working with engineers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to construct a new high school and road in the Juban Province of Sorsogon during Exercise Balikatan 2009.

The future Guruyan High School, which officially came into existence with the ground breaking ceremony April 2, will benefit students who travel more than eight kilometers to the nearest learning facility for school.

The groundbreaking also marked the beginning of construction on a new road for farmers to transport products through the Juban community.

During an official ceremony, Sorsogon Mayor Maria Teresa Guab-Fragata addressed the Juban community on welcoming the U.S. service members and the progress of the construction.

"We are thankful for the U.S. military bringing their services while here for Balikatan," said Guab Fragata. "Due to our economic crisis, this project is a great benefit to the people and the students here."

U.S. service members are eager to work on the project alongside their Filipino counterparts.

"The local people have been very warm and helpful which has made for a great partnership, so I'm excited about giving this community a finished project," said U.S. Navy Lt. Daniel W. Wall, officer-in-charge for Underwater Construction Team 2, Civil Engineer Corps.

Wall said the project reiterates the definition of the word balikatan, "shoulder-to-shoulder."

"It has been so long since anyone has done anything to this area," said Esperanza B. Moreno, a local councilor. "This project will benefit more than 5,000 students in this region, so we are thankful for the American troops coming to assist us."

U.S. Navy Capt. Kelly Schmader, commander of the Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force, spoke on behalf of the Marines and Sailors and what they plan to accomplish with their humanitarian projects.

"There is nothing more satisfying than to build a better life for people, especially when those people are children," said Schmader.

Exercise Balikatan 2009 is a joint exercise that promotes unity and readiness between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States. The nations' governments are working bilaterally to ensure humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts are efficient and effective. Balikatan is a Tagalog word that means "shoulder-to-shoulder" and characterizes the philosophy and intent behind the exercise.

For more news from 30th Naval Construction Regiment, visit www.navy.mil/local/30NCR/.>