SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States-led Pacific Partnership 2023 (PP23) are set to construct two facilities at the Tanquigan Elementary School in this city as part of its 10-day activities which shall run from August 22-31.
The construction of the two facilities is part of PP23’s engineering endeavor in the city, which shall also include humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, outreach events, and medical exchanges.
While in the city, the PP23 shall also renovate school facilities in Dallangayan Elementary School; hold a joint search and rescue between the US and the Philippine Coast Guard; and field exercises on mass casualty, decontamination, and preventive medicine.
This PP23, currently in its 18th run, is the largest yearly international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief effort carried out in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Philippines.
According to AFP North Luzon Command’s (NOLCOM) Public Information Office (PIO) acting chief, Major Al Anthony Pueblas, the city was chosen to be this year’s host for its recent experiences in disasters such as the super typhoon Egay.
Further, PP23 Chief of Staff Ivan Gonzales, said that the city’s ability to dock two ships of the US Navy while in training was also considered.
“What you’re going to see this time is probably a build-up on things that we’ve done in the past so if, for example, we’ve done medical exercises where we include 15 personnel in a mass casualty you might be able to see 25 to 30 this time,” Gonzales said.
“We’re growing… the mission [and] we’re excited to see what it looks like this year,” he added.
