CITY OF MANILA—Heads of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of National Defense (DND) met to discuss each agency efforts in providing much-needed infrastructure facilities to enhance the capability and readiness of the military in providing an environment of peace and security in the country.

DND Officer-in-Charge and Senior Undersecretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. paid a courtesy visit to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan recently at the DPWH Central Office, Port Area, Manila and briefly talk on program supporting the vision of a modernized armed forces through the provision of quality infrastructure projects.

Also present at the meeting are DPWH Undersecretary for Planning and Public-Private Partnership Services Maria Catalina E. Cabral, DND Assistant Secretary for Real Estate and Installations Emmanuel Anthony V. Ramos, DND Assistant Secretary and Deputy Administrator for Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Restituto L. Aguilar, DPWH Planning Service Director Alex G. Bote, DND Director for Office for Plans and Programs Peter Paul Reuben G. Galvez, Government Arsenal Director Gerry P. Amante, and Philippine Army Lieutenant Colonel Antonio G. Bulao.

During the meeting, officials of DPWH and DND provided updates on the ongoing projects under the Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) Convergence Program.

The reactivation of a technical working group (TWG) composed of officials from DPWH and DND was also discussed for better coordination on infrastructure programs that will benefit uniformed personnel and other members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

For his part, OIC and Senior Undersecretary Galvez assured that the DND will remain committed in supporting DPWH and its project contractors with better protection and unhampered implementation of infrastructure projects in conflict-affected and areas vulnerable to communist terrorist groups.(Dpwhphotopio/Renante Arjay Jarobel)