CONVERGENCE. The new quarters building and barracks built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the Philippine Army's 53rd Engineering Brigade in Tacloban City. The PHP48 million building, inaugurated on Tuesday (August 3, 2021), is part of the convergence between the DPWH and the Department of National Defense. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of National Defense (DND) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) inaugurated Tuesday two buildings worth P48 million inside the Philippine Army’s 53rd Engineer Brigade headquarters here as part of the convergence between the two agencies.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said army engineers in the city finally have a more comfortable and presentable barracks implemented under Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS), a convergence project of the DND and DPWH.
“Despite many projects of the DPWH that need attention, the defense sector has been given priority by the agency. This started early this year and was completed in just a few months. This is in appreciation for the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for their sacrifices,” Lorenzana said during his speech.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said President Rodrigo Duterte conceptualized the TIKAS project to improve the landscape of military facilities in the country.
“The project can withstand natural calamities. It is comfortable since each of the 25 bedrooms has an air conditioning unit and toilet. With this big improvement, the convergence is very fulfilling,” Villar told soldiers during the turnover.
The two newly-completed two-story buildings, also allocate spaces for battalion offices, quarters, and a conference room on the first floor and barracks on the top floor.
The two projects are part of the DND-DPWH TIKAS Program aimed at addressing the various facility requirements of different Armed Force of the Philippine units across the country.
The TIKAS program was initiated for the mutual benefit of the two agencies wherein the DND can mount projects with the DPWH while the DND will safeguard DPWH projects in conflict areas. (PNA)
