The 355th Aviation Engineer Wing of the Philippine Air Force and the Marine Wing Support Squadron 174 of the United States (US) Marine Corps constructed the Multi-Purpose Facility in Brgy. Dagupan, Lal-lo, Cagayan in time for the 40th iteration of the Balikatan Exercise between Manila and Washington.

The construction began on March 24 and is expected to be completed on May 7.

AFP Public Affairs Chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the Multi-Purpose Facility is one of the Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) sites under the annual Exercise Balikatan 40-2025.

“This initiative underscores the AFP’s commitment to strengthening its capabilities and fostering stronger partnerships with allied forces in support of regional security and community development,” Trinidad told reporters in a message on Friday.

This month, the AFP will begin conducting various military drills as part of the annual Balikatan Exercise with the United States, with participation from other allied nations.

AFP Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. earlier said the 40th iteration of the Balikatan Exercises — and most of the drills — will be conducted within the joint operational area of the Northern Luzon Command, highlighting the military’s simulation of a “full-battle test.”

“Balikatan exercise is now the full battle test. We are now testing all of the the plans, all of the doctrines, all of the procedures that we have developed in the past years, and this year we are going to test them. It's very important that we prepare for any eventuality,” Brawner said.