THE newly-constructed infrastructure facilities at the Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija were turned over by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the Department of National Defense (DND) on Friday, May 21.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana led the turnover and inauguration of the projects, which are under the agencies' joint program dubbed Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (Tikas).
According to Villar, the Light Reaction Regiment, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) and the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, which are housed at the military camp, were among the first recipients of the Tikas program.
"We are officially inaugurating four of the six completed projects that were funded under the General Appropriations Act 2020 that include a road network, barracks, and a new headquarters building for the 7th Infantry Division," he said.
He added that the projects are expected to greatly benefit our Army, considering the provisions of better accommodation, a safer and reliable road infrastructure within the camp, and a new headquarters building aimed to enhance military force effectiveness.
Lorenzana, for his part, expressed gratitude to the DPWH for the timely completion of the military facilities.
He likewise expressed confidence that the twelve projects slated for implementation this year will likewise be finished on target.
The two agency heads also led the unveiling of building markers and witnessed the ceremonial signing of Certificates of Turnover (COT) of the completed projects to the different Philippine Army Major Units.
DPWH-Central Luzon Assistant Director Denise Maria Ayag represented the agency during the signing of COT together with Major General Alfredo Rosario Jr. of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Brigadier General Monico Abang of the Light Reaction Regiment, and Brigadier General Lincoln Francisco Tagle of the Special Forces Regiment (Airborne).
Meanwhile, DPWH-Central Luzon Director Roseller Tolentino assured that the implementation of all Tikas projects, not only at Fort Ramon Magsaysay but also in other military installations across Central Luzon, will be supervised and monitored by his office in support to the national government's strategy of building a modern military.
Others present during the activity were Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Cirilito E. Sobejana; Major General Andres C. Centino Jr., commanding general of the Philippine Army; Lieutenant General Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr., Northern Luzon Command deputy commander; DPWH Senior Undersecretary Rafael C. Yabut; Assistant Secretary Wilfredo S. Mallari; and officials from the DPWH Regional Office and Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineering Office.
