RECOGNIZING 53IB’s CONTRIBUTIONS: Office of Civil Defense Commends 53IB for Valiant Deeds on COVID, Disaster Response

The Office of Civil Defense – Region 9 (OCD-IX) commended the valiant deeds of the Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) for the invaluable and commendable services it rendered in the field of COVID-19 response being an indespensable enabler of the “Regional One Oxygen Command Center,” particularly in the mobilization and safeguarding of medical grade oxygen from and to Medical Facilties of Zamboanga Peninsula and Oxygen Refilling Stations.

OCD-IX also commended the 53IB for being indispensable in the field of disaster response in the “Response for Areas Devastated by Typhoon Odette,” particularly in the conduct of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Missions (HADRs) spearheaded by RDRRMC-OCX IX.

53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera expressed his gratitude to OCD-IX for the said recognition.

“In behalf of the troops of 53IB, I express my utmost gratitude to OCD-IX for this recognition. This commendation will further inspire and motivate our troops to do their jobs better,” said Lt. Col. Herrera.