Key officials of the Department of National Defense, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), and the Philippine Army led yesterday, December 16, the capsule-laying ceremony and site inspection of a new modern multi-storey building at the Army's main headquarters.
BCDA Officer-in-Charge Atty. Aristotle Batuhan said that the five-storey building, which is slated to be completed by the end of 2022, will enhance the working office environment of the Division Administrative Control Center, the Installation Management Command’s Special Services Center, and the Headquarters Philippine Army's (HPA) technical and special staff.
Atty. Batuhan said that the agency, since its founding 29 years ago, has already contributed P40 billion for the AFP Modernization Program, including P11.12 billion for the replication of various facilities in the Army, Navy, and Air Force bases.
“I am very much honored to be able to serve our biggest stakeholders—the soldiers—by doing our best under the BCDA mandate,” Mr. Batuhan said.
Commanding General of the Philippine Army (CGPA) Maj. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. meanwhile said that the command will continue to implement programs for the morale and welfare of troops.
“The Philippine Army as a people-centric organization places a premium on human capital as the most important resource of the organization. As part of the command’s thrusts to lift the morale and welfare of troops while pursuing its modernization program, the Philippine Army continuously looks for better ways to serve the soldiers’ interests while they perform their duties,” Maj. Gen. Brawner said.
DND Assistant Secretary Jesus Ray Avilla and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP) also joined the site inspection of the new facility after delivering their remarks.