ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – The American and Filipino soldiers have completed the construction of P26.2 million worth of infrastructure projects benefiting the residents as well as students in the hinterlands of Sulu province, a United States military official said.

Lt. Col. Jerry Lobb, US Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) public affairs director, said the projects consist of a P19-million, five-kilometer road, and a P7.2 million classroom building constructed in Barangay Kagay, Patikul, Sulu.

Lobb said the road project links Barangay Kagay to Barangay Langpas in Patikul town, while the school building could accommodate as many as 250 pupils.

“The school and road are just two of many development projects taking place in Sulu through the cooperative efforts of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), local officials and JSOTF-P,” Lobb said.

“The projects are designed to provide economic opportunities for residents and give the children of Sulu better educational facilities,” he added.

He said the projects were completed through the combined efforts of the Philippine Marine Corps and the US Armed Forces.

He said US Navy Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion-One built the school, while the troops from the Marine Landing Battalion Team-6 (MBLT-6) provided security.

The two projects were turned over last week by Joint Task Force Comet chief Brig. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, and JSOTF-P chief Col. William Coultrup to Kagay village chieftain Ganih Nur.

With a new road, Nur said the residents, mostly farmers, in Barangay Kagay could improve their income since “they now can easily move the fruit they harvest to the market while it is still fresh and in good condition.”

“As a result, they get better prices at the market,” he added, citing the road also opens up possibilities for residents to be employed in Jolo, the province’s capital.

Lobb disclosed the completion of the school was especially important as its construction was delayed by a tragic incident in September of last year.