Ribbon cut for new barracks building of 2nd mech brigade

By Lou Ellen Antonio

ILIGAN CITY – The 2nd

Mechanized Infantry "Magbalantay" Brigade of the Philippine Army held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly-constructed barracks building named Tinago Falls, April 5.

The Department of National Defense and the Department of Public Works and Highways worked together on a program called Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) to build the two-story building.

The floor space of the building is 297 square meters, and it can hold more than 100 junior non-commissioned officers and officers from the operational control unit.

“This is very important to boost the morale and welfare of the troops. It's a nice place for the troops, home away from home,” said Maj. Jovane Roble, the brigade civil military operations officer.

With a P15-million fund, the construction started in April 2022 and was completed in April 2023.

The construction was made possible through the congressional initiative of former Iligan City Representative and current Mayor

Frederick Siao.

This was also endorsed by Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño, National Economic and Development Authority-10 regional director, at the Regional Development Council-10.

One of the functions of RDC is to coordinate planning, investment programming, budgeting implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects.

Cariño lauded the leadership of Brig. Gen. Rey Alemania, brigade commander, who pushed for the improvement of their camp.

Under his term, six buildings have been constructed and renovated with funding support from the government and at the same time, the congressional initiative of former Representative Siao and Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte’s 1st district.

“The 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade is really active. Lots of buildings have been constructed. Thanks sa commanders nga nag-propose, especially kay BGen Rey Alemania,” said Cariño.

Moreover, Siao reaffirmed his commitment to support the Brigade.

“As always, I see how important the AFP is in the city. I am 100% committed to supporting their participation and their role in the community. I am committed to always being of help, whatever they need,” he said. (LELA | PIA-10 | Lanao del Norte)

“I really want to institutionalize all that you’re going to learn from now on. Even the barangay captains who will drop election, but for those who will be elected and for those new ones, I want this institutionalized, especially on disasters. Not only volcanic eruptions but all disasters,” the representative said.

The congressman added that they will also target 70% of the island population, or 115,000 people, to undergo hands-only car - diopulmonary resuscitation training so the majority of the people will have the capability to save others.

Currently, DOST-10 under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program, will deploy one automated rain gauge and early warning system of water level monitoring sensor in Mambajao.

The department also enhanced the province's radio communication if ever there will be a disaster.

During the workshop, DOST also inked a memorandum of understanding with the local government unit to support the development of LGU Mambajao as a SMART community in Camiguin, upgrade tax mapping and assessment of real property units in Mambajao, and utilize the multipurpose solar speed drying technology for increased productivity and enhanced food quality in the agri-fishery sector in Camiguin. (RTP | PIA-10 | Camiguin)