TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT. AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay (left) and GMA Kapuso Foundation (KF) executive vice president and chief operating officer Rikki Escudero-Catibog (right) walk through a 40-meter hanging bridge turned over by the AFP and GMA KF to the municipal government of Salvador, Lanao del Norte on Friday (Oct. 9, 2020). Aside from the bridge, two classrooms with comfort rooms constructed by troops at the Pamsur Primary School would benefit around 200 students. (Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office)
MANILA – In line with ongoing efforts to boost interaction with communities, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in partnership with the GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMA KF) on Friday turned over two classrooms with comfort rooms, and a 40-meter hanging bridge to the local government of Salvador, Lanao del Norte.
AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay graced the activity and lauded the GMA KF for initiating the project that would bring further development in the area.
“The joint project not only brought new infrastructure in the area, but it also gave the people of Salvador, Lanao del Norte new hope for a more peaceful and developed community in the future,” he said in a statement.
The AFP partnered with GMA KF headed by executive vice president and chief operating officer Rikki Escudero-Catibog last February to build facilities in areas of Zamboanga City and Lanao del Norte.
The Department of Education also helped in the initiative which is aimed at bringing development in the country’s geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
The 55th Engineering Brigade provided support in the construction and security of two classrooms and two toilet facilities in Pamsur Primary School which would benefit around 200 students.
Meanwhile, the 54th Engineering Brigade on the other hand took charge of the 40-meter cable suspended steel and concrete hanging bridge in Salvador.
They also provided additional manpower to build two classrooms with two toilet facilities in Cabatangan, Zamboanga City.
Also tapped to provide manpower support and security were the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, and 547th Engineering Battalion all under Task Force ZAMPELAN of the Western Mindanao Command.
“The AFP is grateful to everyone who took part in this project especially the GMA Kapuso Foundation, their donors and partners, as well as to the local government of Salvador. The bridges that we built are manifestations of our unity as one Filipino nation towards achieving lasting peace and development for the country,” Gapay said. (PNA)
