Gacal breaks ground for P60-million world-class 4ID facility

Army’s 4th Infantry Division commander Major General Franco Nemesio Gacal on Friday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the 3-storey administrative building worth P60-million which will soon rise replacing the 66-year old building at Camp Evangelista, a military official said today.

Gacal was assisted by the Department of Public Works and Highways 1st District Engineering chief of staff Engr. Mabel F. Saa, who represented the DPWH Secretary Mark Villar being the Guest of Honor and Speaker and other high ranking army officials.

“The 4ID is aspiring for a modern and a world-class division of the Philippine Army,” said 4ID’s public affairs chief Captain Al Anthony Pueblas.

Pueblas said the 4ID admin building project is under the “Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad” (TIKAS) Program of the DPWH with a programmed budget of P60 million.

“This is the government’s goal to show support to Filipino soldiers by modernizing and providing more capable facilities for their proper usage,” Publas said.

Pueblas also said the TIKAS program was started in 2019 and has built more than 300 structures of military camps. It was initiated for the mutual benefit of the two government agencies, the DPWH and DND.

He said Maj. Gen. Gacal and Engr Saa were also with Eastern Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino who attended the activity together with other senior military officers during the laying of time capsule signaling the start of construction activities.

Also witnessing the ceremony were NICA-10 Regional Director Manuel M Orduna and NEDA-10 Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora B Cariňo.

Meanwhile, Gacal said the new admin building will provide an efficient working environment for 4ID personnel.

“It will give justice to soldiers’ heroism as it stands through time and witnesses the resounding glorious future and milestones up ahead,” said Gacal.

The old admin building was commonly called the “White House” was built in 1954 during the stint of Col Tirso G Fajardo as the Commander of the 4th Military Area (IVMA), an important landmark that witnessed the transition from IVMA  to 4th Infantry Division in 1970.

“My deepest gratitude to the DPWH under the inspiring leadership of Sec Mark Villar for helping us realize our aspiration of constructing a new 4ID headquarters,” said Gacal.

Gacal said it is an enduring testament to the diamond division’s role in both the shaping and transformation not only of the Philippine Army but also of the entire Mindanao island.

“I am very hopeful that this new project will stand testament to the enduring commitment we have towards continuous progress and development to the Caraganons and the entire Northern Mindanaoans,” Gacal said.

Also, through an audio-visual presentation, Philippine Army commanding general Lt. Gen. Gilbert I Gapay has lauded the 4ID command for brokering and making the project a reality.

While Secretary Villar through a recorded audio-visual message said he is committed to continue and strengthen the TIKAS program in recognition of every soldier’s dedication to service.

“It is an honor for me to be invited and be part of the groundbreaking ceremony. Rest assured that DPWH will not cease in supporting our AFP,” said Villar.

Villar said that he will also continue upgrading the structures of military camps in the country.

“We believe that this is the right time for our AFP to have quality and world-class facilities,” Villar said. (Ben Balce)