Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda on Sunday morning assumed
command of the 33rd Air Force Group Reserve (AFGR) after the Armed Forces of
the Philippines
The reservist group is a vital force multiplier of the
government troops ready to respond in the events of natural disaster and in
times of war.
Rear Admiral Aurelio A. Rabusa, AFP deputy chief of staff
for reservist and retirees affairs, led the installation of Salceda as regional
commander of AFP reservists in the Bicol Region in a ceremony held at the Albay
Astrodome here.
Salceda, UN senior global champion for disaster risk
reduction and Asia’s model for climate change adaptation and mitigation
measures, will be leading thousands of reservists currently on standby and
ready as reserve force, Rabusa said.
Salceda is the first governor in Bicol who has been
appointed to lead a reservist force and will be on call to lead humanitarian
missions and respond in times of natural calamity to help in the government
efforts in achieving its zero-casualty goal.
Rabusa said that at present, there are 350,000 reservists in
the country on standby and ready to respond in times of emergency and serve as
augmentation force to help in internal security.
Salceda's installation coincided with the graduation of 350
AFP reservist recruits across the region.
“Every Filipino citizen is mandated under our Constitution
to serve the country personally and voluntarily in protecting our territory.
The reserve force is in charge of protecting the citizens against lawless
elements, help the government in times of war and respond during natural
calamities,” Rabusa said.
He assured that with the governor’s expertise in disaster
management and mitigation measures the government's goal to perfect disaster
response and humanitarian missions will be even stronger and at its best.
Salceda’s installation was also attended by Brig. Gen.
Raymundo Elefanfe, commander of Air Force Reserve Corps and AFP officials in
Bicol region.
He accepted the appointment “with mixed feelings of joy and
pressure.”
“Joy in the sense that it is my major accomplishment in the
field of military service, especially in the reserve force, and pressure
because of lots of things that need to be considered as the calling for the
position of major responsibility starts,” Salceda explained.
He said the position requires full attention, same as he
does in being the governor of the Province
of Albay
“I know pretty well that the strong number of reservist personnel
of the 33rd AFGR have high hope and expectations in me, being their link to the
higher headquarters and to other officers in the Air Force,” the Albay chief
executive said.
He noted that the Reserve Officers Corps of the 3rd Air
Force Wing Reserve also expects no less than competent group commander they
could count on in the furtherance of the overall mission of the reserve force
organization, especially during the events of calamities and disasters where he
has been very much involved in.
“I am ready to face the challenges squarely as I begin the
journey in this new chapter of my public service. I believe in the dictum that
the oath of duty connotes personal commitment to public service,” Salceda said.
He said that when he became the governor of Albay through
the electoral mandate of his constituents, he pledged that he would honestly
serve the people at his best.
“I promised nothing other than faithful and dedicated
service for public's best interest. Now, I pledge the same commitment to work harder
and do my share to contribute to the accomplishment of the command’s mission
with the guidance of the military officers both in the regular and reserve
forces and with all your support, especially my fellow reservists," the
Albay governor said.
Knowing the work ahead, he urged his fellow reservists to
work together in addressing the issues, with him as their group commander.
“I believe that when we are joined together, we can do a lot
more for the organization. Remember, cooperation and teamwork, coupled with
dedication and commitment, are the key to the unit’s success,” the Albay
govenor said.
Salceda thanked the commander of the Air Force Reserve Corps
for the trust and confidence given to him to assume the position of a major
responsibility and for him, he said, it is a great opportunity to serve the Air
Force, in particular, and the Armed forces of the Philippines, in general.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=784318
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