Ex-Army commander is new OCD-Bicol chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 14): Ex-Army commander is new OCD-Bicol chief

Retired Brig. Gen. Claudio Yucot, former commander of the Philippine Army in Albay, on Thursday assumed his post as director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional office for Bicol.



He replaced OIC for Bicol Eugene Cabrera, regional director of OCD-Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan).

Cabrera served in Bicol for two months.

Yucot assured Bicolanos, during the change of command ceremony on Thursday, that he would do his best in serving the region.



"This is the last quarter of the year, and this is the time our 'visitors' will be coming -- we still have much to do. Starting today, I will hit the ground running to make sure what are expected of me shall be done," he said. 



"Wala akong ibang maipapangako sa inyo kung hindi ang aking hard work, commitment at dedication to the duty (I cannot promise anything but my hard work, commitment and dedication to my duty)," Yucot added.



His appointment was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last September 7.



The new OCD-Region 5 chief thanked Albayanos for being good to him while he was Army commander in the province even if he is not a native of Bicol.



"I have reached the peak of my career here, I've earned my star rank during my stay here as commanding officer of the 901st Infantry Brigade," he said.



Yucot was born in Bohol but is now a resident of Pili town in Camarines Sur where he decided to raise his family.



"This place is good for my family, this is payback time. I have to repay the goodness of the Bicolanos and my payment should be better -- this is to serve better,” he said.



Yucot also served as Director of Army Personnel Management Center of the Philippine Army at Fort Bonifacio in Metro Manila.


He said he applied as OCD chief a month before his retirement in the military service, since he still wants to serve the country. 



Asked why he chose OCD, Yucot said, "I believe the OCD is the best employment for me after retirement, since my knowledge in the military way back when I was assigned here, can be applied in the new field of my career. My harmonious relationship with the different agencies here in Bicol during my time as commanding officer is also an edge to be the new regional director of OCD."



Yucot is a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sinagtala Class of 1986.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012732