Photo By Lance Cpl. Roger Annoh | U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st...... read more read more
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LAL-LO, Cagayan, Philippines – Along the warm and quiet roads of Lal-lo, Cagayan, Philippines, U.S. and Philippine forces poured the final layers of concrete for a new multipurpose facility designed to support more than 1,200 residents across six nearby barangay villages. Built during Exercise Balikatan 25, the project addresses both daily community needs and disaster preparedness.
Located beside a schoolroom and a gymnasium, the new facility will provide emergency shelter during natural disasters, secure storage for school supplies, and a space for barangay-wide events and local programs.
“This project was about addressing real needs,” said U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Samuel Schurch, officer in charge of Engineering Civic Action Program site 1, assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. “It’s a place the whole community can rely on for typhoon season or for day-to-day use.”
The warehouse was constructed by personnel from MWSS 174, the Philippine Air Force’s 355th Aviation Engineer Wing, and 3rd Littoral Logistics Battalion, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.
Mere steps away from construction, a community health engagement in the adjacent gymnasium drew over 300 residents from Dagupan and surrounding barangays.
In a combined effort, medical and dental professionals from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military provided care and conducted educational sessions on preventive health and mental wellness. They conducted 129 medical exams, prescribed 360 medications, administered nine targeted treatments, conducted 126 dental exams, and performed 61 fluoride treatments, 46 surgeries, and five dental cleanings. Additionally, optical specialists provided vision screenings and service members distributed over 330 meals.
“This joint health engagement underscores the tangible benefits of the U.S.-Philippine alliance,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Matthew J. Kelly-Desai, general dentist and U.S. community health engagement lead with the Combined Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force. “These interactions reinforce our shared commitment to the health, welfare, and prosperity of the Filipino people.”
“We’re thankful on behalf of Lal-Lo,” said Maj. Jozeph Agustin, chief of police for Lal-lo, Cagayan. “There’s confidence in the safety of the warehouse because it was built by both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. forces. We also greatly appreciate the medical care, as it directly benefited Barangay Dagupan and beyond.”
From health services to infrastructure improvements, the efforts in Lal-lo reflect the broader impact of Balikatan 25. While medical teams provided care in the gymnasium, engineers worked just steps away to complete the new multipurpose warehouse – a clear example of how the U.S.-Philippine partnership addresses both urgent needs and long-term community resilience. Together, these initiatives showcase how shared efforts leave lasting value in the places they serve.
Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military that strengthens the alliance, improves combined capabilities, and demonstrates a shared commitment to regional security and stability.
| Date Taken: | 04.10.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.11.2025 20:13 |
| Story ID: | 495105 |
| Location: | PH |
| Web Views: | 324 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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