Army confers gold award to Bukidnon-based 8IB

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 27, 2023): Army confers gold award to Bukidnon-based 8IB (By Nef Luczon)

TRAILBLAZING TROOPERS. The Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (IB) troopers join the celebration of the 125th Philippine Independence Day in Impasugong, Bukidnon on June 12, 2023. The 8IB's recent achievement includes the conferment of the Gold Trailblazer Award given by the Philippine Army under its Army Governance Pathway program. (Photo courtesy of 8IB)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Army (PA) has conferred the "Gold Trailblazer Award" to the 8th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Bukidnon in this year's Army Government Pathway (AGP) program.

In a statement Tuesday, the 8IB said it received the highest distinction given to an Army unit, with a rate of 96.4 percent.

Lt. Col. Anthony Bacus, the 8IB commander, said the award is the indicator of the battalion's commitment to aligning with the PA's vision of a "world-class, multi-mission ready, and cross-domain capable Army by 2040."

“Our efforts must be directed to sustain our gains and let us continue to be steadfast in our quest for genuine reforms,” Bacus added.

AGP helps organizations execute their transformation initiatives to yield breakthrough results. It has four stages – Initiated, Compliant, Proficient, and Institutionalized – in which Army units nationwide are rated internally, according to 8IB.

The award also serves as an indicator that 8IB has shown "exemplary progress" in governance and strategy management in line with the Army Transformation Roadmap, it added.

The 8IB's latest field accomplishments included the dismantling of the communist New People’s Army group earlier this month in Sitio Malinao, Barangay Kalasungay, in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

An encounter that erupted led to the death of a rebel fighter and the seizure of rebel firearms and other materials.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1204370