HOME of the 199th Basic Seaman Course

By ELENA L. ABEN

November 9, 2010, 6:25pm

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Tuesday urged soldiers to be “responsible and honorable’’ as the Deparrment of National Defense (DND) marks its 71st founding anniversary on Monday.

Gazmin also issued the same statement to DND employees and its other bureaus, including the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Philippine Veteran Affairs Office (PVAO), Government Arsenal (GA) and National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP).

Speaking at the department's anniversary celebration, Gazmin reminded troops and personnel of the DND and other offices under him to be responsible and honorable in their dealings as public servants.

“As public servants, we are respected by the Filipino people whom we are sworn to serve and protect. To be responsible and honorable, we must therefore have the highest degree of integrity, the highest norm of conduct, the highest sense of dedication, and utmost loyalty and devotion to duty,” said Gazmin.

He led the awarding of agencies — DND, AFP, OCD, PVAO, GA, and NDCP — for their exemplary service and loyalty to the department.

Also recognized were the Lingkod Bayan awardees and the Dangal ng Bayan awardees from the DND and its bureaus, who have given honor and distinction to the department for their meritorious actions.

“May you continue to inspire your co-workers to give their best in the daily tasks being assigned to them,” said the secretary.

Gazmin reiterated his main thrusts as defense chief, saying that all employees in the DND and its bureaus must be able to provide the much needed support.

His main thrusts include the hastening of the AFP modernization program, peace talks with the communists and rebels, and enhancing the government’s national disaster risk reduction management capabilities.