Aquino joins Army in honoring contributions of army personnel and civilian stakeholders

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 22): Aquino joins Army in honoring contributions of army personnel and civilian stakeholders

President Beningo S. Aquino III joined the top brass of the Philippine Army in honoring the contributions of its personnel and civilian stakeholders.

The President was speaking during the commemoration of the PA’s 116th Founding Anniversary celebration at its headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Friday.

The President, joined by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and Army Commanding General Lt, Gen. Noel Coballes, handed out medals and plaques of merit and appreciation to 14 individuals for their contribution towards achieving the Philippine Army’s vision of becoming a world-class army that is a source of national pride by 2028.

This years awardees are: Colonel Yerson Depayo – Distinguished Service Star; LtCol Isidro Purisima – Outstanding Achievement Medal; 2ndLt Frederick Dela Torre – Gold Cross Medal; 1stLt Marvin Liel Gammad – Bronze Cross Medal; Cadet Col. Monica Orbe – PA-ROTC Unit Female Cadet of the Year; Cdt. Captain Gabriel Orosco – PA-ROTC Male Cadet of the Year;

Major Miguel Maamo II – PA Model Reservist of the Year; Staff Sergeant James Guina-ob – PA Enlisted Personnel of the Year; William Tello, Jr. – CAFGU Active Auxiliary of the Year; Albert Job – PA Model Civilian Employee of the Year; Maria Lourdes Rosero – PA Model Civilian Supervisor of the Year;

Undersecretary Lesley Jean Cordero of the Presidential Communications Operations Office – for her invaluable services rendered to the Philippine Army as a partner and consultant; Province of Davao Oriental – for invaluable contribution to the PA in the pursuit of peace, socio-economic and other development activities geared towards improving the quality of life of the people of Davao Oriental; and Il-Seop Lee, Vice President, Special Vehicle Export, KIA Motors – for the prompt delivery of six units five ton trucks, 60 units of field ambulances and 100 units of 1-1/4 ton trucks as part of the PA Capability Upgrade Program.

The President also paid tribute to a special member of the Philippine Army: Technical Sergeant Tranquilino Olarte Cabiling who, at 112 years of age, is the oldest living army trooper on record.

He was born on July 6, 1900 and began his military service on Aug 3, 1922 as part of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).

In his speech, the President thanked the awardees for their achievements and contributions towards helping improve the Philippine Army to be at par with other armed forces.

“Kasabay ng pwagpapasalamat ko sa inyong hanay sa mahusay na pagganap sa inyong mga tungkulin, babatiin ko na rin po ang mga pinarangalan ngayong hapon --- ang mga sundalong nagpakita ng kagitingan; ang mga reservist, sibilyan, at kawani ng gobyernong nakibalikat sa pagsusulong ng kapayapaan sa mga komunidad; ang mga LGU at pribadong institusyon na nakilahok sa agenda ng seguridad at pag-unlad sa kani-kanilang sariling mga paraan. Sa labing-apat po nating awardee, na hindi ko na po iisa-isahin dahil baka naman ho gabihin na tayo dito: Isang taos-pusong pasasalamat,” the President said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=509893