Date Released: 24 June 2021 Releasing Officer: DIR. ARSENIO R. ANDOLONG Chief, Defense Communications Service

DND, DPWH start construction of more infra projects

Representing the Secretary of National Defense, Secretary Delfin N Lorenzana, the DND TIKAS Champion, Defense Undersecretary Reynaldo B Mapagu together with DPWH Secretary Mark Villar attended the virtual ground breaking ceremonies for the construction of Barracks with Parking Way located at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City and the blessing and inauguration of the Six-Story Academic Building of the PA Intelligence Center of Excellence, Army Intelligence Regiment (PAICOE, AIR) located at Fort Andres Bonifacio, Metro Manila. They also witnessed the ceremonial signing and turn-over of documents for the Academic Building of the PAICOE, AIR between Col Yegor Rey Barroquillo, Regiment Commander, AIR and Engr. Medel Chua, District Engineer, Metro Manila 1st District Engineering Office, DPWH.

The two projects are part of the DND-DPWH TIKAS Program aimed at addressing the various facility requirements of different AFP units across the country. The Academic Building of the PAICOE, AIR, is just one of the tangible accomplishments under the TIKAS Program. Previously, Sec Lorenzana and Sec Villar have inaugurated other completed TIKAS projects such as the new Station Hospital in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City; Admin Building and Headquarters of the 7th Infantry Division in Fort Magsaysay, ; and, the various infrastructure projects for Training and Doctrine Command, PA in Camp O'Donnell, Capas, .

In the message of Secretary Lorenzana, delivered by Usec Mapagu, Sec Lorenzana expressed the profound appreciation and gratitude of the One Defense Team for the continuous support of the DPWH under the leadership of Sec Villar in the implementation of various peace and security infrastructure projects for the AFP.

Sec Villar on his part expressed the commitment of the DPWH to fast track the completion of on-going TIKAS projects and continue to fund future TIKAS Projects as the DPWH's way of showing their gratitude and appreciation for the members of the Armed Forces of the for their sacrifices in defense of our freedom and democracy.

Also present during the activity were Commanding General MGen Andres Centino PA and concerned Headquarters Philippine Army Staff. BGen Rene Raoul Rommel Honasan PAF, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, AFP, on the other hand represented the Chief of Staff, AFP during the event. Representatives from DPWH NCR led by Regional Director Eric Ayapana were also in attendance.

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