Valuing People: 53IB Dons Rank to Newly Promoted Officer, Recognizes Efficiency
In recognition for their meritorious performance and invaluable service rendered during the recent Philippine Army Annual General Inspection covering the period of 4th Quarter 2019 to 3rd Quarter 2020 conducted to the 1st Infantry “TABAK” Division, 5 Troopers from the 53rd Infantry “MATAPAT” Battalion (53IB) awards Military Merit Medals to 5 Matapat Troopers during the Flag Raising Ceremony at 53IB Headquarters, Camp Major Sabido, Guipos, Zamboanga del Sur on April 5, 2021.
“Imbued with a deep sense of responsibility, loyalty, and devotion to duty coupled with professional competence and hard work, the officers, men, and women of the 1ID, PA worked with dedication in order to achieve a successful result of inspection aligned with the higher headquarters mandate. As a result, the command obtained its fraction as the number 1 among Philippine Army Major Units (PAMU) with a rating of 93.442%. By these laudable achievements, officers, men, and women of the 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, Philippine Army earned distinct credit and honor not only for the Philippine Army but also for the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well,” the award citation reads.
The Military Merit Medal awardees include the following: 1Lt Jonathan Cernitchez, 1Lt Niel Kim Garcia, TSg Giovanni Presno, TSg Eddiemhar Omar and SSg Yasir Amil.
The ceremony also included the Donning of Rank to the Newly Promoted Officer, Giving of Letter of Commendation and Unit Certificate of Appreciation to the deserving officers and enlisted personnel, and
The Donning of Rank to the newly promoted Officer was received by 2Lt. Niel Kim Garcia to 1Lt. effective December 19, 2020.
“As newly-promoted officer, I will exert my very best efforts to serve this unit and our country in accordance with our oath. Thank you to all especially to my Bravo Company for always giving their best and cooperation. Thank You also Sir Herrera for teaching us to be better soldiers”. 1Lt. Garcia said.
“This is so sentimental for me and I’m so happy for receiving this award. After many years of serving this unit, it is my first time receiving an award. I will keep doing my job well to prove that I really deserved this.” SSg. Amil said.
“To all awardees, I also thank all of you. I am more grateful because you are all semblance of very snappy soldiers who have been efficiently translating our command guidance into actions. The rule of a Commander is to take good care of his people and that is what I am doing for you all. That is why we also take good care of all our CAFGus under our patrol bases. We also must address their needs and concerns.” 53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera said.
“Everything that we do in this unit is not a ‘lip service.’ We do it by actions. We take actions to implement and to make it possible for the benefits of all,” Lt. Col. Herrera said.
