“This is more than enough for my large family”-Army Official
by Harold Magallanes Cabunoc

FORT ANDRES BONIFACIO, Taguig City – “This is more than enough for my large family” a middle-ranked Army officer, father of 6 children, commented upon receiving the newly constructed housing unit during the turn-over ceremony held here today.

Lieutenant Colonel Leodevic Guinid,42, a veteran of Mindanao personally received the 150 sqm living space which is part of the 10-door apartments constructed by the Philippine Army’s combat engineers inside the camp.

“My previous housing unit has only two rooms that accommodate my growing family. This 3-room apartment awarded to me is much better especially that it has additional spaces in the attic,” said Guinid who used to command the Army’s Marksmanship Training Unit.

Another officer, Lieutenant Colonel Oriel Pangcog, sighed in relief that his new living area is near the Army headquarters. He used to stay with his family at least 25kms away in Commonwealth, Quezon City.

“I used to travel from my house at 5:00am to beat the heavy traffic and arrive at my office on time. I think this is not part of my worry anymore,” Pangcog, a Scout Ranger and another veteran of Mindanao’s military campaign said.

Army Chief LtGen Arturo B Ortiz, together with BGen Romeo F Fajardo, Army Post Commander led the turn-over rites to soldier-awardees held here at around 10:00am (Monday). Initially, five 10-door apartments were awarded to deserving soldiers.

In his speech, Lt Gen Ortiz emphasized that the housing project has been funded, not from the outside source, but from the Philippine Army Trust Receipts and other internally-generated savings.

“Ngayong panahon na kung saan pinag-uusapan at laman ng mga pahayagan ang pondo ng AFP, kaliwa’t kanan ang batikos sa aming organisasyon. Kaya sa pagkakataong ito mahalaga na ipinapakita natin na sa ating pagsisikap, pagtitipid at maayos na pag-iingat ng ating kaban, ang Phil Army ay makapagtatayo ng mga pabahay na walang karagdagang pondo mula sa ating pamahalaan,” Ortiz said.

According to Col Antonio G Parlade Jr., Army Spokesperson, the project aims to provide affordable yet spacious and secure housing units to the soldiers to further boost their morale in order for them to become more dedicated, effective and focused in doing their mandated mission.

“Our soldiers can be expected to fulfil their duty and carry out their task well if they are confident that they left their families secured and protected, “ Parlade said.

In the name of transparency, the project went through public bidding for Straight Contract by the AFP Bids and Awards Committee on December 2009.

The contract was then given to Philworks Construction and Supply. Moreover, under the supervision of the Office of the Army Chief Engineers, the construction of the said apartment buildings strictly adhered to the approved priorities of work, plans and specifications to ensure quality workmanship.

The project is part of the Philippine Army’s project to construct 28 units of 10-Door apartment with ground development distributed Army wide under the AFP Modernization Fund.

As of February 2011, the Philippine Army has a total of 428 buildings with 2,031 quarters all over the country.

At present construction of more buildings, apartments and other ground development is on-going in different Army camps to provide comfortable on-base housing, better quality of life and security to the soldiers and their families. (HMC, GHQ PA)