2009 BALIKATAN EXERCISES IN OLONGAPO

Now in its 25th year, the United States Navy (US Navy) together with the Philippine Navy is continuously extending community services to the City of Olongapo through Balikatan.

Balikatan is the annual bilateral military humanitarian assistance and training exercise between the Philippines and the United States taking place in Olongapo on April 16-30, 2009.

“Our activities for this year still include the painting and rehabilitation of public schools in Olongapo,” according to Lt. Cmdr. Gilbert O. Pacio, Balikatan 2009 Navy Sub Chief Joint Info Bureau and Overall Navy Community Relations Officer of the Philippine Navy. “Kasama na rin ang ilang facilities sa lungsod tulad ng Social Development Center (SDC) sa Old Cabalan.”

Aside from the painting of school building, the group also donated toys and books to selected public schools.

“It’s a very rewarding feeling being able to do good things for these students and the community, whether it’s painting buildings, donating toys or just spending time with the kids,” added Pacio.

Sailors of the US Navy and the Philippine Navy interacted with the kids in Barangay Barretto by playing a game of basketball and joined in the Filipino military tradition of “boodle fight,” where the food is lined up in a long table on top of banana leaves.

“It’s a good experience having the U.S. Navy and Philippine Navy working together,” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. “We hope to have more activities where Filipinos and the Americans are working together, and a long lasting friendship and the camaraderie can be developed.”

PAO/chay

PHILIPPINE AND US NAVY IN ‘GAPO

The Philippine Navy visited Olongapo City on October 28, 2008 as part of their community relations program for Olongapeños in partnership with the US Navy.

“Kasama sa mga isinagawa naming activities na kasama ang US Navy ay pagkukumpuni ng school buildings, improvement ng facilities ng Olongapo Center for Assistance and Rehabilitation, at New Cabalan Elementary School. Namigay rin kami ng mga laruan, libro at iba pang kasangkapan na magagamit ng mga estudyante at mga guro,” said ni Lt. Commander Gilbert Pacio ng Philippine Navy.

The activity is a part of the Philippine Navy’s two-day Community Relations Actitivites in partnership with the US Navy. This is done to start ties with different communities around the country and help them in their daily lives by assisting in different projects benifiting their communities.

On October 29, 2008 they will proceed to New Cabalan National High School and Center for Social Development for Children to assist in repairing the infrastructures and facilities.

“Bago pa man isagawa ang aktwal na pagkukumpuni ay nagkakaroon muna ng pagsusuri sa mga naturang pasilidad upang malaman kung gaano kalaki ang dapat ayusin at mga gagamiting materyales. Ang mga materyales na ginamit ay mula sa US Navy,” added Pacio.

“Ang programang ito ay para rin ipakita na ang mga Navy o mga sundalo ay hindi lamang pang-giyera kundi para tulungan din ang mga mamamayan sa kanilang pamumuhay,” Pacio concluded.

The program was held in cooperation with the city government of Olongapo, led by Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr. in line with his programs to upgrade and repair the infrastructures of the city.

PAO/Don