Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) turned over new facilities for Army Support Command (ASCOM) inside Camp Aquino in Tarlac. This is under Phase 1A of the P1.59-billion project.

BCDA Officer-in-Charge President and CEO Aristotle Batuhan disclosed that facilities include Service Support Training Center Headquarters, two classrooms, student mess hall, two student barracks, Commander’s Quarters, Deputy Commander’s Quarters, Chief of Staff’s Quarters, three security barracks, senior officers’ quarters, junior officers’ quarters, and sergeant major’s quarters.

“We at the BCDA are very honored to present to our soldiers these new and state-of-the-art facilities for ASCOM. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year, BCDA is committed to continue delivering projects like these and maintaining its strong partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in order to move forward with the modernization of the military,” Batuhan emphasized.

The three-phase development plan for ASCOM facilities involves the construction of 44 structures within a 29.8-hectare lot in Camp Aquino.

For his part, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said ASCOM’s transfer to its new home and the replication of its existing facilities from Fort Bonifacio signify a fusion of the new and the old.

“Certainly, this will empower ASCOM to become a more reliable logistical hub that is capable of improving its logistics management system to make its services more proactive and timely. As a result, its efficiency and effectiveness in fulfilling the demands of all Army units will be greatly enhanced,” Lorenzana added.

Phases 1B, 2 and 3 of the project are expected to be completed by August this year.

Army Commanding General Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner Jr. recognized the importance of the facilities in contributing achievements to the Philippine Army.

“These new facilities of ASCOM will certainly enable us in the Philippine Army to accomplish our mission of defeating our nation’s adversaries, and maintain our operational tempo against the prevailing challenges of insurgency, terrorism and secessionism, as well as against the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country,” Brawner stressed.

In 2017, BCDA and Department of National Defense signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the relocation of ASCOM, as well as the Special Services Center and the Division Administrative Command Center of the Philippine Army.

These units currently occupy 11.5 hectares of Bonifacio South Pointe property inside Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. (PIA 3)