Army confers honorary membership to Calbayog City mayor

(Let me give you something from the PIA website. It's a report by Ms. Nimfa Quirante of PIA-Samar)

Army confers honorary membership to Calbayog City mayor
By Ninfa B. Quirante

Calbayog City (24 March) -- The 20th Infantry (WE LEAD) Battalion of the 8th Infantry Division (ID), Philippine Army conferred honorary membership to Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento.

In simple but fitting tribute to the chief executive, the mayor received the certificate on March 20, 2009 at the 20th IB camp at Tinambacan Sur, Calbayog City.

Sarmiento was cited among others for unconditionally spearheading the government holistic approach in the conduct of the Internal Security Operations (ISO) within the Area of Operation of the 20th IB.

Said action and support resulted to the collaboration of efforts of all stakeholders towards the realization of the 20th IB mission that is to establish a physically and psychologically secure environment conducive to economic development.

Lt. Col Francis L. Cabugon, Battalion Commander of the 209th IB said he wanted to have a model for LCEs to emulate. He has reiterated seeking support from the mayors and the local populace as regards the region’s effort to promote peace in the area.

Sarmiento said Cabugon exemplifies their model of an LCE thus the conferment of honors.
Earlier, Sarmiento with Representative Reynaldo Uy personally visited 8th ID based in Catbalogan City to profess their support and reportedly extended financial support to the army operations in the region.

Sarmiento then reiterated his dream of uniting the three Samar provinces to attain a physically and socially secure environment.

He also added that he longs to unite all chief executives of the whole Samar, get their acts together and push for the total development of Samar. (PIA-Samar)