📋 Tender Overview
The 546 Engineer Construction Battalion and the 543 Engineer Construction Battalion for the first time bared how they support the achievement of the mission to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Eastern Visayas during the Panindugan Virtual Kapihan among PIA and Friends.Guest during the Panindugan on July 24 were Lt. Col. Ricnon Carolasan commanding officer of the 546 Engineer Construction Battalion and Lt. Col. Vedasto Cabales Jr. commanding officer of the 543 Engineer Construction Brigade.The 546 Engineer Construction Battalions area of coverage includes Biliran Leyte 2nd District of Samar and Eastern Samar while the 543 Engineer Construction Battalion covers Northern Samar and other parts of Samar.Lt. Col. Cabales said that a very significant project of the 543 Engineer Construction Battalion is the Road Opening at the three hinterland barangays of Lavezares Northern Samar from Barangay Salvacion to Chansvilla. This project is in cooperation with the 803rd Infantry Brigade and the different Battalions operating in the area.This project was supposed to start in March but it was derailed a bit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless Lt. Col Cabales said the Phase 1 is about to be completed. The Road Opening Project will entail the opening of 5.59 kilometers of road which will make the barangays more accessible for help from other agencies and more opportunities for the residents to market their farm produce thus solving the root-cause of insurgency in the area.Cabales said the project has become a Bayanihan because even Lavezares Mayor Edito Saludaga has allowed the use of the equipment of the municipality to fast-track the completion of the project.The Armys Engineer Construction Battalion usually implement projects in areas not accepted by private contractors.Cabales said that the Armys engineer construction battalion is open to partnerships with Local Government Units. In fact the 543 Engineer Brigade has just conducted a ceremonial signing with the Local Government of San Isidro Northern Samar for the construction of a stage and the ground levelling of the church.Meanwhile Lt. Col. Ricnon Carolasan disclosed that in support to ELCAC the 546 Engineer Construction Battalion in coordination with the 14th Infantry Battalion has just completed the back-filling and repair of one unit two classrooms building at the Hilusin National High School in Mahaplag Leyte.Lt. Col. Ricnon Carolasan commanding officer of the 546 Engineer Construction Battalion whose area of coverage includes Biliran Leyte 2nd District of Samar and Eastern Samar. Now ongoing is the undertaking by the Engineer Construction Brigade of the construction of the proposed infirmary in Mahaplag Leyte.In coordination with the 93rd Infantry Battalion it has upcoming projects which are the desilting of the Cabuynan-Sacme creek in Tanauan Leyte and the desilting and de-clogging of the spillway and river system in Carigara.Moreover it has an ongoing project the construction of Peace House for Former Rebels at 8th Infantry Division at Camp Lucban and House of Rebels at 802nd Brigade at Camp Integrated Farming Facilities.He said most of their projects are funded by the LGUs. The Engineer provides equipment and the LGU provides full fuel.The two commanding officers of the two Engineer Construction Battalions committed their unwavering support for achieving peace and development in the area.
