(BCDA president-CEO Vince Dizon hands over symbolic key to PAF chief Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez for the facilities. Contributed Photo)
SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Monday turned over newly-constructed apartments for use of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) 580th Aircraft Control and Warning Wing (ACWW) and their families.
The size of each of the 15-door airmen’s apartments was doubled from their previous 60-square-meter housing to 120 square meters. Each apartment has three bedrooms with built-in cabinets, storage and laundry areas, and a garage for two cars.
The detention cell inside the Wallace Air Station was also expanded from just nine square meters to 40 square meters. BCDA also constructed a 700-meter concrete pavement with drainage and a one-kilometer asphalt road.
Aside from the detention facility, security was further enhanced with other improved structures such as the guard house and shed, and gate boom.
Representing Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Assistant Secretary for Financial Management Josue Gaverza Jr. said the turnover was a “clear demonstration of the shared commitment of the BCDA and the AFP to serve as catalysts in transforming military bases and installations into centers of development and economic activities.”
Gaverza also commended the quality and speedy implementation of the upgraded facilities. “This reflects BCDA’s resolve and willingness to improve the living conditions of soldiers anywhere in the country,” he said.
“We look forward to more partnerships and cooperative endeavors with BCDA as we expect the government and President Duterte’s leadership to impart more development projects,” said Gaverza.
The Deed of Transfer and Turnover of Facilities and Structures was signed during a simple ceremony at the Wallace Air Station by BCDA President and CEO Vivencio Dizon and PAF chief Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez.
“With the official turnover of these facilities, I am certain that our most ever vigilant Scanners shall be able to optimize the operability of the Wallace Air Station,” Briguez said referring to the 580th ACWW.
“It is very noteworthy that BCDA has since evolved to a much stronger partner of the AFP than ever before,” he added, noting the P8.2-billion contribution of BCDA to the AFP in just the first two years of the Duterte administration. “You are our indispensable partner at the Air Force.”
Dizon, for his part, reaffirmed the full support of the Duterte administration to the AFP.
“Nakakalungkot na ang mga sundalo ay pinapatira sa mga luma at sira-sirang bahay. Kaya naman sa BCDA, sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, malaki ang pagbabago. Pinapangako natin na ang mga facilities na darating ay mas maganda pa,” he said.
Also present during the ceremony were Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC) President and CEO Atty. Felix S. Racadio, BCDA Director Glorioso Miranda and Executive Vice President Aileen Anunciacion Zosa, and other officials of PAF, BCDA, and PPMC.
