Rising up to the Challenges of Eastern Visayas (Speech delivered by Captain Gloria Jumamil-Mercado,PN (MNSA) last March 23, 2013 during the activation of the Naval Force Eastern Visayas Reserve unit and her installation as its first Commander. Her area of responsibility consists of the 8 islands of – Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor and Negroes Oriental) A pleasant afternoon to all of you, especially to Commodore Reynaldo Yoma AFP, the presiding officer. Let me greet everyone who honoured us with their presence today. From the Central Command, the Philippine Navy headquarters headed by Captain Primitivo Gopo and the Naval Forces Central Officers, the Naval Forces Eastern Visayas Reserve headed by the Deputy Commander Pablo Koh, my meaningful few – Family members Atty Teodoro Jumamil, Krista, Lex and Karen, DAP family, NDCPAAI family, Women in National Development and Security, Canada World Youth, DevSec Alumni, and friends. Last year, during the watch of Commodore Millan at NavResCom, Commanders Pasia and Bumagat met with me to discuss the activation of Naval Force in Eastern Visayas and the prospect of being its Commander. I took it with so much ambivalence despite the nobility of the position, because around that time we were given the huge task of undertaking the executive development program for our 110 state universities and colleges. A flagship program of the Aquino Administration known as the Philippine Higher Education Reform. There were two subsequent meetings after that in Cebu but somewhere I lost track of it until early this year again with the leadership of Captain Gopo and after all the pencil pushing and meetings, here we are in this special event of the activation of NFEVR. When it was time to really invite people to this event I sent this message to my family and friends ... during my term as chairman of the board and President of the NDCP Alumni Association Inc, one of our advocacies which we passionately pursued was the approval of the table of organization for the reservist, in deference to some of our alumnus who have been working very hard, resources and all in support to the AFP’s civil-military campaign ... I’d like to mention a few - our very own Dr. Ed Lacanienta, Dr. Consuelo Estepa, the late Ted katalbas, Atty Bamby Pelaez and many others. The sense of then Secretary Teodoro is to rationalize the TO of the reservist with the total organizational development of the AFP, so suddenly we faced a blind curve. When Secretary Norberto Gonzales briefly assumed the defense portfolio in 2009, we explained to him the situation and on concurrence of then Chief of Staff General Victor Ibrado AFP, the TO was approved and that year we have our first star rank in the Armed Forces Reserve, BGen Eduardo Lacanienta AFP. The circle of good looped me in when the Philippine Navy considered me to take on this post. Candidly, I am in a state of being that the current roles that I am essaying as Senior Vice President for Development Education and Dean of Graduate School of Public and Development Management, is indeed soul perfecting and by themselves defining moments in my life. My career plan is trained towards United Nations University, but then again, we cannot out give the Universal Father, we are lead to some detours and rare certainty, a re defining moment and this new challenge of commanding the NFEVR is that moment for me”. Anyways beyond these pleasantries, allow me to level up my thoughts about the role of the reservist and service to the country. Initially, I crafted this speech with some citations from the annals of military history but I do not wish to go to the sticky part of military leadership, but suffice it to say I’ve always held in highest regard the men and women who, dutifully and bravely laboured in the service of our beloved country. When I took my Master in National Security Administration, I appreciated even more the missionary seal of the military officers despite their own militics. They too have their share of frustrations and happiness just like their counterpart in the civilian bureaucracy. That is the reason why entering the armed forces’ reserve force – through my Master in National Security Administration degree – was truly meaningful. Although, looking back, I never thought that I would be promoted into the rank of Navy Captain, much more be privileged to be assigned to this position. More than a huge task, it truly is a much larger privilege for me to stand in front all of you right now. It’s hard to express how genuinely honoured I am to be entrusted with this position, and assume command of the Naval Force Eastern Visayas Reserve. Candidly, I am excited, but at the same time, a bit nervous, to begin working. In all my years in the public and private sector, I’ve lived through some values that were very navyish, these are honour, dedication, patriotism, leadership, solidarity and professionalism – trust that it shall stay that way as we all venture on this new undertaking. When we were first commissioned to the AFP, there was a loud debate among classmates as to how to better utilize the reservist and more particularly the mission of the Naval Reserve Force, which highlights our traditional role of providing needed support to the country’s military objective. Then Captain willy Wong who went on to become FOIC and Colonel Pons Millena who became the Marine Commandant argued that the weekend warrior program for reservist marginalizes a resource rich group. I agreed and refuse to be a weekend warrior, instead opt for a one month straight AADT to get to know the organization. I always maintain the fundamental belief that my being a good reservist is contingent to how good I am in my own profession. This thought process is niche on post modern times view of the reserve force: “To assist in relief and rescue operations during disasters or calamities; in socio-economic development; and in the operation and maintenance of essential and government and/or private utilities in the furtherance of the overall mission,” These mandates underscore the realities of our time, and more importantly – the continuous evolution of the security environment. These mandates are also very align with what the Development Academy of the Philippines stands for in nation building. Prima Facie, our mission is straightforward and clear. But there are underlying messages that we cannot afford to miss, and these may provide insights to the future of the reserve force. Reservists are no longer considered as the forces of “last resort”, but are now being integrated by the decision-makers in the long-term planning. By leveraging the reserve force, the armed forces not only gains a force-multiplier capability, but also builds bridges to civilian networks of non-military actors crucial in supporting the framework of a comprehensive approach to security solutions. This is especially true in the Philippine context, as we are crucial in the sustainment phase of our Internal Peace Security Program (IPSP) Bayanihan campaign being at the forefront in providing support to civil authorities for peace and development. Furthermore, the AFP’s reserve forces are composed of highly accomplished business and industrial leaders, public servants, and academics – the breadth of knowledge of whom, if we are able to tap them properly, can contribute greatly to furthering the reach of the Philippine Navy in particular, and of the AFP in general. The same as me, I know that these great minds are similarly eager to work with us, all towards our unified goal of a secure, sustainable and inclusive national development. The activation of the Naval Reserve Force in Eastern Visayas comes at a perfect time when security conditions in the provinces within our Areas of Responsibility (AOR) have vastly improved – Cebu, Siquijor and Bohol are declared insurgency-free areas. It’s upon us to take advantage of this opportunity and take a more active role in preserving these gains. The Development Academy of the Philippines being in the forefront of innovation in the bureaucracy and countryside development can definitely work hand in hand with NREVF. With my very able partners Lt Commander and Governor Mimiette Bagulaya for Samar Leyte; Commander Pablo C Ko for Cebu provinces and Ensigne Restituto Lagura for Bohol, negroes and Siquijor, we can surely journey far to support the efforts of Naval Forces Central and the Bayanihan IPSP campaign. Governor Bagulaya, used to be Chairman of the League of Vice Governors and active in the Union of Local Officials. We intend to work very closely with the local officials. We have with us this afternoon, the Vice President for Visayas of the Philippine Association of State University and colleges - Atty. Mar de Asis of UEP. We will endeavour to work closely with the 16 State University and Colleges in the area not only to bring more interests to the ROTC program but as formal platform for skills and competency development like disaster risk and mitigations, researches on coastal resource management, peace building etc. We have Susan Hall from an international non-profit organization for the youth whom we can also work with for our youth programs. The Women in National Development and Security / WINDS as we call ourselves - simple women but special in our own ways while quietly making a difference. Amongst us is the first woman Brigadier General of the AFP - Ramona Go who is now running for Mayor of San Enrique; the first woman to command a naval ship soon to be Captain Luz Camacho who would also be the first woman to lead an international Peace Keeping contingent; the future first woman Defense Attache LCol Lynette Altamarino; Doctors to the Barrios outstanding alumni Dr. Queenie; and, the first female security Director of our Bangko Central ng Pilipinas - Judith Dolot. We are currently localizing a Harvard Curriculum on Women Waging Peace. We hope to bring these down to the Visayas through the schools, the lady legislators and women in the military as well. In celebration of the international month for women, may I honor all the women who are here today by saying in a time lacking in truth and certainty and filled with ganguish and despair, no woman should be shamefaced in attempting to give back to the world a portion of its lost heart”. My DAP family can likewise journey with NFEVR as we implement our programs for the DttBs, Vice Governors, League of Municipalities, State Universities and Colleges, CARD MRI, the Military, Police and other stakeholders. NFEVR will be privileged to have as Advisers - the former Chief of Staff Gen Victor Ibrado AFP (Ret) who due to a joint birthday celebration with Gen Calderon could’nt come today. Admiral Bob Estioko AFP (Ret) and former Commanding General also of NAVFORCEN but now Dr. Estioko, a colleague at dap handling our development and secuity portfolio, BGen Ed Lacanienta who was always outstanding AFP reserve unit, my mentor and big brother, Dr. Gaby lopez, Col Carlyzar Divinagracia the financial expert, and Mr. Willy Suarez of Nestle Philippines. All told, the NFEVR will have an overarching framework of joining hands and hearts to touch lives. Together, the officers and men of NFEVR will draw strength from what we currently have as individuals, build on our existing networks and leverage this with the vastness of resources in our environment. In this command we will put to life security sector reform as a convergence of effort for peace and security, as well the melding of development and security as a coherent whole. As such, the increasing integration of the reserve force to the AFP Corps, and their increasing role in the AFP’s frontlines, equips the armed forces with the ability to successfully navigate these changing times and adapt their roles as guardians of democracy and development. As I assume the position of Commander of the Naval Forces Eastern Visayas Reserve, along with the duties and responsibilities it entails … with great pride I say AYE AYE SIR! Daghang salamat, maayong hapon sa inyong tanan or maupay nga kulop sa iyo ngatanan.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 12:10:10 +0000
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