Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar led on Friday, February 28, 2020 the ceremonial groundbreaking for the construction of a two (2) storey headquarters building inside the Philippine Army’s Fort Ramon Magsaysay Military Reservation in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.
The launching of construction of the new headquarters building for the 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division with Tactical Operation Center in the amount of P42.26-million is in support to the modernization program of the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Secretary Villar said that new building will provide an inspiring working environment and will enhance the operational readiness of 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division under its commander, Major General Lenard T. Agustin.
The DPWH Chief was joined at Fort Magsaysay by DPWH Region 3 Director Roseller A. Tolentino, retired General John Dominic Pulido from Office of Secretary Villar, Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineer Ricardo M. Puno and Assistant District Engineer Eduardo V. De Guzman.
According to DPWH Regional Director Tolentino, a total amount of P273-million was allocated in the CY2020 budget for various infrastructure facilities inside Fort Magsaysay, the largest military reservation in the Philippines, under the DND-DPWH Convergence Program on Strengthening and Expanding Military Readiness for National Security and Development otherwise known as Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) program aimed to improve military facilities, runways, and detachments
The convergence program also involves construction of a two-storey Administration Building worth P20-million to provide safe and substantial facility that will enhance the operational readiness of the Light Reaction Regiment.
DPWH will also undertake the construction of a 7.261-kilometer road from the Light Reaction Regiment/Special Forces camps leading to Molave Complex, with a total budget of P85-million.
DPWH is also set to begin construction of the new hangar for the Army Aviation Battalion, amounting to P65.44-million; four (4)-storey transient facility building at the Light Reaction Regiment costing P40-million; and barracks for the Special Forces Regiment (Airborned) enlisted personnel with an allocation of P20-million.
The TIKAS projects at Fort Magsaysay will be implemented by DPWH Nueva Ecija Second District Engineering Office (DEO).
The 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division of Philippine Army is serving the people in the entire Regions 1 and 3, Nueva Vizcaya in Region 2, and Abra and Mountain Province in the Cordilleras.