United States Marines and sailors belonging to the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines held a groundbreaking ceremony in the renovation of several schools and a day care center in Casiguran, Aurora.
The construction work is a joint civic assistance activity which forms part of the upcoming US-Philippine bilateral military exercise, KAMANDAG.
The Philippine and US service members are conducting engineering and construction projects in three different sites in Casiguran.
Military service members from both countries will work together during these bilateral projects to assist the local populace and strengthen the ties between the Philippines and the United States.
The renovations of C.J. Torre Elementary School, Esperanza Elementary School, and Esperanza Daycare Center is aimed at providing children with a more spacious, modern, and comfortable environment in which to learn and play. The project includes building new classrooms and canteens and updating the school buildings’ electrical wiring.
US military medical teams also taught basic lifesaving skills, disease prevention, and dental hygiene to a group of almost 600 Girl Scouts while in Casiguran.
These projects precede the official start of KAMANDAG, but are considered a preparatory part of the exercise.
KAMANDAG is an acronym for the Filipino phrase “Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat,” which translates to “Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea,” highlighting the partnership between the Philippine and United States militaries.
Bilateral exercises such as KAMANDAG strengthen working relationships and increase the ability for service members to respond rapidly during real world terrorist or humanitarian crises.