ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Mar 20 (PIA) – The RP-US Balikatan Exercise (“Shoulder-to-Shoulder”) 2012 (BK12) opens recently in Palawan with community development and humanitarian activities are underway.
The 6th Civil Relations Group of the AFP said that BK12 is a joint military and training exercise and humanitarian assistance conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM).
Prior to the opening of BK-12, several Balikatan-related activities had been planned and lined-up to include community development and humanitarian activities. Thousands of local residents in Puerto Princesa City are expected to benefit from these humanitarian assistance activities.
The Governments of the Republic of the Philippines and United States of America uphold a long-standing and strong working relationship. This partnership is highlighted in the Mutual Defense Treaty, showcasing a long bilateral partnership in Philippine history. Mutual benefits to both RP-US forces will be derived from Balikatan. The AFP will learn from updated technical expertise and training while the U.S. counterparts will learn from the AFP’s actual experience and applications.
The joint military exercises focus on revitalizing the interoperability of the Philippines and U.S. Armed Forces in post-conflict response through the conduct of community development projects. These will materialize through the Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP), Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP), Dental Civic Action Program (DENCAP) and Veterinary Civic Action Program (VETCAP) activities which will benefit Ten (10) barangays: Buenavista, Sta Cruz, Bacungan, Inagawan, Cabayugan, Macarascas, San Pedro, San Miguel, Bancao-Bancao and Mangingisda all in the City Government of Puerto Princesa.
Furthermore, in this RP-US Balikatan 2012 there will be 5 selected public schools in Puerto Princesa City that will surely benefit with new classrooms and other facilities through Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) activities. The ENCAP sites are as follows: Buenavista Elementary School, Sta. Cruz National High School, Sitio Candis Elementary School, Inagawan High School Annex and Tagbarungis Elementary School.
Selected 9 medical/dental/veterinary outreach (MDVO) sites in Puerto Princesa City will benefit from the program, as follows: Cabayugan, Macarascas, Candis 2, Bacungan High School, San Pedro, San Miguel, Bancao-Bancao, Mangingisda Elementary School and Sitio Tagumpay, Inagawan.
Moreover, the BK12 will be held in the Province of Palawan from 12 March to 28 April 2012. (6CRGAFP/RVC-PIA-9 ZBST)