TARLAC CITY, Feb. 23 (PIA) -- Army Support Command (ASCOM) facilities in Fort Bonifacio will transfer to a 29.8-hectare lot in Camp Servilliano Aquino in Tarlac by next year.

In today's groundbreaking of the PhP 1.5 billion development project, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and Chief Executive Officer Vince Dizon highlighted the collaboration of the state-owned firm, Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to realize the vision of modern ASCOM logistical facilities.

"We feel that this is a sound investment which not only puts ASCOM in a better position to serve the military, but opens up new opportunities for the national government to generate much-needed revenues by developing the soon-to-be-vacated Army areas in Fort Bonifacio," Dizon said.

DND and AFP identified the relocation site in Camp Aquino while BCDA is responsible for the construction of structures and facilities, and the engagement of consulting services for engineering design and construction management.

Based on the four-phase development plan, a total of 44 structures will be constructed in the project site which include multiple headquarters facilities, officers' quarters, barracks, a warehouse, student classrooms and transportation and maintenance battalion areas.

In behalf of AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Northern Luzon Command Commander Lieutenant General Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. cited the role of BCDA in transforming former military bases in premier centers of economic growth, paving the way for national development.

"The transfer of ASCOM here at Camp Aquino is very timely as it will not only boost the unit's capabilities to carry out its mission and functions but it also reinforces its thrust to sustain personal readiness and enhancement of its operations and even gain momentum towards modernization," Burgos said.

"ASCOM plays a very significant role in the AFP and the Philippine Army because they provide the logistical support to all the Army units not only in Luzon but also in Visayas and Mindanao. This is why ASCOM should be situated in a strategic location, like here in Camp Aquino," he furthered.

For his part, ASCOM Commander Major General Glenn Cruz affirmed that the strategic location of Camp Aquino is advantageous in the logistics support and the deployment of support services.

"Considering the congestion in Metro Manila, the ease of our movement and security of our access from one place to another has already been affected. The new ASCOM area provides us with easier and more efficient logistics operations," Cruz said.

ASCOM's mission is "to provide proactive, integrated and sustained quality logistics support services to Philippine Army units." (CLJD/TJBM-PIA 3)