GROUNDBREAKING. Col. John Armellino of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Captain Salvador Lavepie of Naval Educational Training Command, lead local officials of San Narciso, Zambales in groundbreaking rites for the reconstruction of two classrooms. Photo by Johnny R. Reblando
SAN NARCISO, Zambales – A total of 444 students from kindergarten to Grade 6 of the Beddeng-Mabangcal Elementary School will be benefited by the reconstruction of two-classrooms and the renovation of other school facilities by joint efforts of Philippine Navy and US Marine Corps as part of their humanitarian and civic assistance program before the start of Philippine Bilateral Exercises 2015.
Navy Captain Salvador Lavepie, who represents the Naval Education Training Command (NETC), said the renovation and reconstruction of school facilities pose a challenge for them to strive and help students finish their studies.
“This is also a symbol of unity and cooperation between the two armed forces, the AFP and USAF, the local government of San Narciso and US counterparts for initiating the project that enables help to civilian community, simultaneous with training for interoperability of both forces,” said Lavepie.
Lavepie also thanked the Philippine Marine Corps, US Marine Corps who spearheaded the project and the Philippine Navy Construction Brigade who will devote their time and efforts to support the construction of classroom.
Col. John Armellino, chief of staff of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, said the reconstruction of classroom will be finished within three weeks after the ground breaking ceremony held Wednesday morning.
Armellino said Phiblex 2015 marks the 31st year of the joint military exercises with some 3,000 American soldiers participating.
