Joint Military Exercise "Balikatan 2007" Closes with Inauguration of Humanitarian Projects on Jolo
A paved road built by U.S. and Filipino soldiers on Jolo Island during Balikatan 2007 will allow local residents to travel easily from their village to the island’s largest municipality year round.
U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney joined Secretary Jess Dureza, Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process in Mindanao, and Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane to officially declare the road open in a March 3 ceremony in the town of Bato Bato on Jolo Island. The four-kilometer road improvement project was carried out during the annual joint Philippines-U.S. military exercise Balikatan 2007.
Local citizens travel the former dirt road to the city almost every day to sell crafts, buy food, and trade goods to support their families. But during three months out of the year, heavy rains cause erosion and ruts on the dirt road, making travel nearly impossible for vehicles. But the soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marines fixed the road as part of the Balikatan 2007 exercises, which focused primarily on humanitarian projects in Mindanao.
Aside from the road improvement project, the two militaries worked with local governments and partners to hold 12 free medical clinics in Mindanao that treated more than 6,000 residents; provided free dental care and veterinary care; built and renovated schools, a day care center, and a health clinic; and repaired a boat ramp and pier.
The two militaries also completed a combined task force staff exercise that emphasized crisis action planning in a maritime security scenario, which will help the two countries learn to work together in addressing real-world challenges such as terrorist transit routes, piracy, drug smuggling, and critical infrastructure protection.
The annual Exercise Balikatan is structured to further develop the two countries’ crisis action planning, enhance ability to effectively conduct humanitarian assistance operations, and promote interoperability between participating countries. (PRESS RELEASE)
U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney joined Secretary Jess Dureza, Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process in Mindanao, and Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane to officially declare the road open in a March 3 ceremony in the town of Bato Bato on Jolo Island. The four-kilometer road improvement project was carried out during the annual joint Philippines-U.S. military exercise Balikatan 2007.
Local citizens travel the former dirt road to the city almost every day to sell crafts, buy food, and trade goods to support their families. But during three months out of the year, heavy rains cause erosion and ruts on the dirt road, making travel nearly impossible for vehicles. But the soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marines fixed the road as part of the Balikatan 2007 exercises, which focused primarily on humanitarian projects in Mindanao.
Aside from the road improvement project, the two militaries worked with local governments and partners to hold 12 free medical clinics in Mindanao that treated more than 6,000 residents; provided free dental care and veterinary care; built and renovated schools, a day care center, and a health clinic; and repaired a boat ramp and pier.
The two militaries also completed a combined task force staff exercise that emphasized crisis action planning in a maritime security scenario, which will help the two countries learn to work together in addressing real-world challenges such as terrorist transit routes, piracy, drug smuggling, and critical infrastructure protection.
The annual Exercise Balikatan is structured to further develop the two countries’ crisis action planning, enhance ability to effectively conduct humanitarian assistance operations, and promote interoperability between participating countries. (PRESS RELEASE)
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