22,000 people to benefit from 2012 Balikatan exercises - AFP

MANILA, Philippines - About 22,000 people will benefit from development projects being conducted by Filipino and American troops who are part of this year’s Balikatan exercises, the military said yesterday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said these projects include medical and dental missions and the construction of school buildings in six communities in Palawan.

Participants of the Balikatan have been conducting civil-military operations since March 12.

“The AFP and the USAF (United States Armed Forces) share the essential goal in the conduct of Balikatan Exercise 2012, specifically its civil-military activities which is putting into topmost priority the welfare and best interests of the people,” said AFP chief Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa.

“It serves as a very important avenue for us, military forces to help our troops in enhancing their capabilities,” he added.

Burgos said Filipino and American military engineers are now building five schools in Puerto Princesa City.

Two school buildings complete with water, restroom and solar lighting facilities are being constructed in Barangay Inagawan. School buildings are also being erected in Barangays Buenavista, Bacungan and Sta. Cruz.

Military doctors, dentists and veterinarians have also started conducting medical, dental and veterinary civic action programs in six barangays in Puerto Princesa City.

Three communities in Central Luzon benefited from similar outreach programs last year.

Burgos said the projects are part of this year’s Balikatan exercises under the humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Close to 7,000 Filipino and American troops are participating in the Balikatan 2012 which will be held simultaneously in different parts of the country from April 16 to 27. Development projects, however, are usually conducted before the start of the actual military exercises.

About 4,500 US personnel and 2,300 soldiers from the AFP will join the activity.

This year’s exercise, the 28th in a series, will include multilateral engagements. About 20 participants from Southeast Asian countries and 15 colleagues from partner nations are expected to contribute to the command post exercises.

The exercise aims to enhance the interoperability of US and Filipino soldiers in the conduct of traditional military training and non-traditional aspects like helping communities in need of urgent assistance.