Public Works Secretary Mark Villar receives a token of appreciation from Army Aviation Regiment commander Col. Andre B. Santos. Photo courtesy of DPWH
PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – The Philippine Army’s storied Fort Magsaysay here is undergoing major infra developments – not seen in decades – with the construction of several vital military facilities implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
This year alone, at least six of the programmed infrastructures built inside the 40,000-hectare military camp have been inaugurated.
Over the weekend, two major military facilities, namely the Philippine Army Aviation Regiment Hangar and the Light Reaction Regiment Administrative Building were turned over by Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and key officials of the military camp.
A total of P102.3 million was allocated for the two projects through the DPWH-Department of National Defense Convergence Program dubbed TIKAS – for “Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad.”
“We have officially turned-over the newly completed P63.1-million hangar at the Army Aviation Regiment of the Philippine Army and the P39.2-million, 2-storey administration building of the Light Reaction Regiment here at Fort Magsaysay,” said Villar.
He explained that the defense-standard military hangar is capable of accommodating government aircraft for storage, maintenance, and rapid deployment when needed.
“The structure includes a full dimension parking space, drop-off area, and PCCP (concrete pavement) that will serve as a runway,” Villar added.
Meanwhile, the completion of the new LRR Administration Building is expected to further improve the working condition of personnel involved in administrative and support operations.
Villar also explained that the national government through the DPWH will continue to support the construction of modern military structures in the country.
7ID HQ
Aside from the two brand-new facilities, DPWH has also turned over last May the new headquarters of the 7th Infantry Division with a tactical operations center, two barracks for the enlisted personnel of the Special Forces Regiment (SFR Airborne), a four-story transient facility for the Light Reaction Regiment (LRR), and a two-story administration building.
The said projects amounted to a total of P273 million, also funded under the TIKAS program.
Villar disclosed that another hangar and a new headquarters building of the Army Aviation Regiment are also in the pipeline for this year.
“Under the agency’s proposed FY 2022 National Expenditure Program, a total of 14 projects under the TIKAS program have been proposed with a total project cost of P210 million and I hope it will be approved by Congress,” Villar added.
TIKAS is part of the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program that aims to reinforce the armed forces’ ability to provide service and security. It also aims to boost the morale of military troops and armed forces who are at frontline in protecting the country.
“We recognize the incomparable effort and sacrifice of military personnel in maintaining and promoting peace in the country citing that the swift implementation of vital infrastructure projects such as military facilities is one way of supporting them in their fight against insurgency and other external threats,” Villar said. Punto News Group with DPWH-PR
