RECOGNIZING CONVERGENCE EFFORTS: 54th Engineer Brigade Expresses Appreciation to 53IB’s Complementary Efforts

As a fruit of its continued convergence and collaboration efforts to finally end local communist armed conflict in its area of operations, the Philippine Army’s 54th Engineer Brigade (54EBde) recognized 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) during its 30th Founding Anniversary held at 54th EBde Headquarters, Cabatangan, Zamboanga City on August 16, 2021.

The Command Plaque, signed by 54EBde Commander Brig. Gen. Anthony Cacayuran, was awarded by Army’s 1st Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Gene Ponio to 53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera in grateful appreciation of 53IB’s outstanding commitment as Complementary Efforts by heightening the security in the project sites and advocating the engineering support capability of 547th Engineer ‘Agila’ Battalion, 54th Engineer Brigade, Philippine Army.

54th Engineer Brigade also recognized 53IB’s accomplishments thru media in the implementation of Executive Order 70 which institutionalizes the Whole-of-Nation approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) on Road Opening Projects in CY 2018 in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) and Conflict-Affected Areas (CONAAs) in Zamboanga del Sur that significantly contributed to the attainment of public trust, sustainable Peace and National Development.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Herrera expressed his gratitude to Brig. Gen. Cacayuran for the said recognition, saying that the 53IB will continue its mandate of serving the people especially those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas and conflict affected areas.

“We will continue and further intensify our efforts in implementing the EO 70 especially in far-flung barangays to help the communities in the hinterlands and release them from the clutches of communist lies and deception,” said Lt. Col. Herrera.