AFP Northern Luzon Command hails Gov. Espino’s leadership

Lingayen --- “If there is something that I want to bring out and carry with you -- it is to learn lessons from how Governor Espino led, commanded and managed the province of Pangasinan to what it is today.” This was uttered by Brigadier General Hernando DCA Iriberri, AFP Commander, 7th 1nfantry Division, during the fellowship night of the Northern Luzon Battalion Commanders held at the Sison Auditorium on September 14, admiring the “effective and excellent command, management and leadership of the Governor” who brought massive transformation to a province which was neglected for so long.

The fellowship was part of the three-day symposium participated in by the Northern Luzon Battalion Commanders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at the Capitol Resort Hotel on September 13.
 “We cannot think of any other place that can be the venue of our activity, other than Pangasinan,” he remarked, adding that they can learn many lessons on the ideals of leadership of the Governor, who himself, was a military man. General Irriberi was amazed on the performance of Pangasinan -- which from a 64th-ranked province three years ago, managed to be the country’s fourth best performing province today.
 “Probably, we will no longer wait for years to make the Philippine Army world-class -- If we only have the attitude, political will, focus and the standard of excellence as Gov. Espino,” he said.
 “If the Governor was able to do it in just a matter of three years, with collective efforts and commitment, we can shorten the process,” he added.

Provincial government owned Capitol Resort Hotel

 He even thanked Chief Administrative Officer Irmina Francisco and the heads of offices and divisions of the provincial government for the coordination and preparation of the fellowship night.
 The symposium aimed at updating and upraising the unit commanders on the current operational and administrative thrusts of higher quarters of the Philippine Army. Information on Army Transformation World Map and Internal Peace and Security schemes was fed to the battalion commanders during the symposium, which according to Iriberri, enhanced their skills on how “to command, align their mission and actions on the excellent implementation of the thrusts of higher quarters.”
Meanwhile, host Brigade Commander Vic Casto, also thanked the Governor for hosting of the symposium. Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. was represented by second District Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil. Board Member Nestor Reyes was also present during the fellowship. The unit commanders of the fifth infantry division cover the entire Region and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) while regions one, three and some portions of region two are under the unit commanders of the seventh infantry division. (PIO/Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca)