From Balikatan: Classrooms

MANILA, Philippines–The recently concluded Balikatan war exercise among the Philippines, United States and Australia was a boon to schoolchildren in Palawan and Panay who got calamity-resistant classrooms out of it.

The participants built eight classrooms in Palawan and two in Panay which could accommodate up to 50 students each.

Commodore James Meyer of the US Navy said the construction of classrooms at Sta. Lourdes Elementary School in Puerto Princesa City was a result of the combined efforts of American and Filipino soldiers.

The 10-day Balikatan exercise ended on April 30 with more than 11,000 troopers from all sides participating.

The building of classrooms was under the Balikatan’s humanitarian and civic assistance events (HCA).

Lt. Commander Mike Guzzi, operations officer of the HCA programs in Palawan and Panay, said Sta. Lourdes Elementary School was chosen because of the possibility of overcrowding with the K to 12 program.–Julie M. Aurelio