Aside from the operational training, BALIKATAN has always included a civic action program. This year, the combined Philippine-U.S. civic action program provided medical, dental and veterinary care for villagers. Additionally, Philippine and U.S. military engineers completed several engineering projects for the benefit of the people, including building a school and digging a well.

The purpose of the exercise is to improve Philippine-U.S. combined planning, combat readiness, and interoperability for operations ranging from humanitarian assistance to peacekeeping operations. The exercise also enhanced security relations and demonstrated U.S. resolve to support the Republic of the Philippines against external aggression by training in joint/combined operations and conducting other related activities consistent with the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement.