THE Department of National Defense (DND) has allotted P83 million for construction of new structures while improving the status of old facilities of the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR) at Camp Simon Tecson in Bulacan. The fund will go to the Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS) project implemented through the Department of Public Works and Highways. Sergeant John Maxelle Lamano, non-commissioned officer of the FSRR public affairs office. said TIKAS is a convergence program of the two departments to upgrade facilities of military bases that will complement the modernization plan of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). A big chunk of the fund will be the P30 million for the improvement of a three-kilometer perimeter road within the area, considering that the road is used for the training of Scout Rangers. Another P20 million was allotted for the construction of an administrative building extension where an office for the Battalion Liason Office (BLO) will be put up. The BLO serves as FSRR’s communications channel between the AFP and other government agencies, as well as with civilian and private institutions. Construction of the motorpool, parking bays and auto repair shop beside the administrative building worth P10 million is nearing completion. A new barracks for Enlisted Women Personnel of FSRR worth P15 million is also being built that can accommodate around 30persons. Camp Simon Tecson is the main unit of FSRR located in Barangay Tartaro in San Miguel, Bulacan, in Biak-na-Bato, a part of the Sierra Madre mountain range where comprehensive training of Scout Rangers is held.
