AFP, GMA Kapuso Foundation turn over classrooms, hanging bridge to Lanao Del Norte

With the aim of achieving a developed community, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the GMA Kapuso Foundation turned over two classrooms and a hanging bridge to the residents of Salvador, Lanao Del Norte on Friday.

"The joint project not only brought new infrastructure in the area, it also gave the people of Salvador, Lanao del Norte new hope for a more peaceful and developed community in the future,” AFP chief of staff General Gilbert Gapay said during the inauguration of the infrastructures.

The two classrooms with comfort rooms and the 40-meter hanging bridge were part of the partnership of the military and the GMA Kapuso Foundation, headed by executive vice president and chief operating officer Rikki Escudero-Catibog, in February 2020 to build facilities in Zamboanga City and Lanao del Norte.

According to the AFP, the 55th Engineering Brigade provided assistance in the construction and security of two classrooms and two toilet facilities in Pamsur Primary School, which will benefit more or less 200 students.

It added that the 54th Engineering Brigade was the one in-charge for the construction of the 40-meter cable suspended steel and concrete hanging bridge in Salvador. It also provided additional manpower to build two classrooms with two toilet facilities in Cabatangan, Zamboanga City.

Personnel from the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, and the 547th Engineering Battalion also provided assistance and security in the project.

Meanwhile, Gapay expressed gratitude to agencies and donors who helped in the project, especially the GMA Kapuso Foundation

"The bridges that we built are manifestations of our unity as one Filipino nation towards achieving lasting peace and development for the country,” Gapay said.

“It is the desire of the AFP to promote peace and development in all parts of the country. Projects like these are of significant help in the attainment of our mandated task to protect the best interest of the Filipino people and secure the sovereignty of the state,” he added.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Western Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, 1st Infantry Division commander Major General Generoso Ponio, 2nd Mechanized Brigade head Brigadier General Facundo Palafox IV, 54th Engineering Brigade chief Brigadier General Tony Cacayuran, Salvador Mayor Farhanie Tawantawan, and Lanao del Norte Schools Division superintendent Edilberto Oplenaria.—AOL, GMA News