SECURITY SITUATION
The forthcoming RP-US Balikatan joint military exercises in
Bicol triggered negative reactions from various sectors such as
the catholic clergy and civil society groups However, three
governors in the Bicol Region, Joey Salceda, Elisa Kho and Sally
Lee of Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon, respectively, expressed
their support for the RP-US Balikatan military exercises after
officials assured them that there would be no combat scenarios
that would be held in their provinces, except for humanitarian
assistance projects. (Ref: Philippine Star, Feb. 9, 2009)
Preparations for the joint RP-US Balikatan 2009 exercise next
month in three Bicol provinces are now on its final stage as
advance parties involved in the final stage of the preparations
and coordination.
About 11,000 to 12,000 Bicolanos will be benefited by the
medical and dental mission which will start on April 16 to 30,
while the engineering component will start construction on April
1 to 30.
Some 93 of the 120 vital government projects implemented by the
Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army in identified
critical areas in three Bicol provinces have been completed in
2008. The 93 completed projects under the Kalayaan Barangays
Project (KBP) worth over P60 million are located in 79 barangays
in the provinces of Sorsogon, Albay and Camarines Sur. These
projects include the constructions and repairs of school
buildings, potable water systems, and farm-to-market (FMR)
roads. (Source: OPAP Report)
