April 23, 2009
PHOTO RELEASE
![(BALIKATAN) Building Road To Prosperity In Albay Province - Philippine Army soldiers and U.S. Marines construct a new road in Pioduran, Albay Province, on April 22. The bilateral project began three weeks ago and is nearly 70 percent complete, according to Municipal Mayor of Pioduran, Dante R. Arandia. “Together, the service members are making great progress and the road is coming along very nicely,” Arandia said. The road will benefit more than 50,000 local citizens of Pioduran, including fisherman and farmers, according to Arandia. The project has also given the Philippine soldiers and U.S. Marines an opportunity to bond. “Working on Balikatan with the American forces is a great opportunity for me because they are such diligent workers and they make the experience a pleasure,” said Sgt. Amel P. Basamta, a Philippine Army engineer. U.S. Marine Cpl. Nick Cowden said the project has been a valuable learning experience. “[The AFP soldiers] have taught us a lot about their culture and have shown us tips on how to maneuver through this environment,” Cowden said. “It’s just been an awesome ride.” The project was one of several humanitarian-assistance activities happening throughout Exercise Balikatan 2009. The annual bilateral exercise allows the Philippine and U.S. militaries to learn from one another while helping local communities. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Antwain J. Graham)](wwwjq294.jpg)
(BALIKATAN) Building Road To Prosperity In Albay Province - Philippine Army soldiers and U.S. Marines construct a new road in Pioduran, Albay Province, on April 22. The bilateral project began three weeks ago and is nearly 70 percent complete, according to Municipal Mayor of Pioduran, Dante R. Arandia. “Together, the service members are making great progress and the road is coming along very nicely,” Arandia said. The road will benefit more than 50,000 local citizens of Pioduran, including fisherman and farmers, according to Arandia. The project has also given the Philippine soldiers and U.S. Marines an opportunity to bond. “Working on Balikatan with the American forces is a great opportunity for me because they are such diligent workers and they make the experience a pleasure,” said Sgt. Amel P. Basamta, a Philippine Army engineer. U.S. Marine Cpl. Nick Cowden said the project has been a valuable learning experience. “[The AFP soldiers] have taught us a lot about their culture and have shown us tips on how to maneuver through this environment,” Cowden said. “It’s just been an awesome ride.” The project was one of several humanitarian-assistance activities happening throughout Exercise Balikatan 2009. The annual bilateral exercise allows the Philippine and U.S. militaries to learn from one another while helping local communities. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Antwain J. Graham)
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