U.S. Marines with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Philippine Navy service members work together to fix the Palawig Elementary School as part of an engineering civic assistance project during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX) in Cagayan Valley, Philippines, Oct. 5, 2016.
The partnered nations are currently working side by side for 10 to 12 hours per day to renovate the San Vicente Elementary School and the Palawig Elementary School, which have extensive damage caused by weather and erosion over the years.
The service members are not only renovating the schools but are also working on military cohesion in the event that they would have to work together because of a natural disaster.
Each year, PHIBLEX provides an opportunity for the U.S. and Philippine armed forces to learn together, exchange best practices and build enduring relationships.
