Monday, December 12, 2011

903rd Infantry Brigade, PA celebrates 2nd founding anniversary, honors civilian and military awardees

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, December 12 (PIA).... A colorful celebration which started with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Fr. Benny Furo , parish priest of the Parish of San Juan Bautista, last Saturday, December 10, marked the 2nd founding anniversary of the 903rd Infantry Brigade, 9th Infantry Batallion Philippine Army (PA)  based in Barangay Poblacion, Castilla.

Deputy Brigade Commander, Col. Audie Delizo GSC (INF) PA welcomed the participants, guests and awardees  during the opening program. 

The occasion according to him was a celebration of the brigade for the attainment of peace and development along the countryside and a gesture to extend honor to the awardees, the people who supported the brigade attain its mandate.

Col. Felix J. Castro ,Jr. INF (GSC) PA Brigade Commander assisted by Col Deliso presented and awarded the plaque of appreciation to  the 15 civilian awardees comprising of Governor Raul R. Lee of the province of Sorsogon; Gov. Rizalina Seachon Lanete of Masbate; Ms. Tina Monzon-Palma of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., Sagip Kapamilya; Mayor Olivia Bermillo of Castilla; Mayor Enrico Z. Capinig  of Aroroy, Masbate; PSSupt. John Cornelius A. Jambora, Philippine National Police provincial director of Sorsogon; PSSupt. Heriberto O. Olitoquit, PNP provincial director of Masbate; Municipal Councilors Jesus M. Agarap and Joey Bitancur and Barangay Captain Antoino Ortiz, all of the local government of Castilla.

Other awardees included Dir. Maria Eileen A. Jose, PAMANA Coordinating Unit for Luzon and Visayas, Vince Nato, chief of staff, Office of the Commission on Filipinon Overseas, Ms Irma A. Guhit, information center manager, Philippine Information Agency; Mr.Andy Espinar, president, Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters sa Pilipinas, Sorsogon Chapter and Mrs. Cristina J. Racelis, provincial tourism officer, province of Sorsogon.

Col Castro expressed his gratitude to the awardees who he said were instrumental in supporting the brigade to become the 2nd top troop in the country last year and for this year based on their community involvement and overall performance specially in promoting peace and development in their area of assignment.

He also presented the military awardees with Sgt. Gerardo A. Timple as this year's recipient of the Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal with eight others ; TSG Luisito C. Rodriguez and 80 others receiving the Military Merit Medal (MMM) and SSg. Jose Sincua and 41 others  together with SSg Rico S. Guban of the 74 6606 (Inf) PA and 7 others of the 96 MICO receiving the Military Commendation Medal (MCM).

In his inspirational message Col. Castro said that the brigade intends to pursue the peace and development goals of the government under the "bayanihan spirit" enjoining everyone especially the community to become relentless in the pursuit of attaining peace and extending peace through development programs and projects.

He thanked all partner agencies, local governments and the community in the realization of several programs and projects which were implemented and now providing the community the benefits of a better quality of life from schools, roads, scholarships and medical missions that he said will help secure the future of the people in the community.

He also stressed the importance of shared partnership and the support of the local government of Castilla through Mayor Bermillo for  the lot donation given to the brigade.

The celebration was also graced by the Himig Kapitolyo who provided the Christmas serenade during lunch entertaining guests and the people in the community.

A Christmas party was also held in the evening for the brigade which was graced by members of the media community here and people from the nearby barangays of Castilla town. (PIA-SORSOGON)

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