FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – A Blessing and Handover Ceremony of truck troop carriers and truck field ambulances was held at 9am today (May 18) at the Headquarters of the 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division. This is part of the on-going Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.
As early as yesterday afternoon, 36 units of top-of-the-line, brand new 11/4 Ton Truck Troop Carrier – KM450 and 4 units of 11/4 Ton Truck Field Ambulance – KM451 were lined-up in front of the Division in preparation for the blessing that was to take place. Each KM450 truck cost ₱2,176,016.00 while the KM451 (ambulance) cost ₱5,000,000.00 each.
Rev. Antonio Mangahas Jr., Parish Priest of Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija, led the blessing of the newly-acquired vehicles. Afterwards, Major General Angelito M De Leon AFP, Commander, 7ID, PA, led the Ceremonial Turnover of the keys of the military vehicles, assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Nelson A Buhay, Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, G4, 7ID, PA, to the most senior Battalion Commander of 7ID, Lieutenant Colonel Emerito D Pineda of the Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battalion.
In MGen De Leon’s message, he reminded everyone how the Army has lagged behind in capabilities before the AFP Modernization Program and the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR) was implemented. Under these programs, and with the support of a gradually strengthening economy in the past six years, the AFP is finally able to afford equipment that will, hopefully, propel it towards its vision of being world-class, not to mention boost the morale of its troops. He further emphasized that the acquisition of new vehicles and armaments are not the only indication of an Army that is on its way to being modernized, more important is the mind-set of the troops who will be using these equipment.
Our soldiers today, according to MGen De Leon, should be more modern and open to change in terms of being updated and trained in the use of modern equipment, and in carrying-out the ideals of the ATR in the accomplishment of their duties. For it is only in the upgrade of both physical and mental capacities can we truly realize a modernized Army. (CRIS PALARCA)(Click picture below to enlarge)
A look inside the 11/4 Ton Truck Field Ambulance – KM451 during the Blessing and Turnover Ceremony of the newly-acquired military trucks at the 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division on May 18, 2016. The ambulance can accommodate at least four patients in prone position and also has access to four oxygen outlets. The ambulance is fully-air-conditioned.
The façade of the 11/4 Ton Truck Field Ambulance – KM451, all trucks are said to be top-of-the-line.
36 units of top-of-the-line, brand new 11/4 Ton Truck Troop Carrier – KM450 and 4 units of 11/4 Ton Truck Field Ambulance – KM451 were strategically lined-up in front of the 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division during the Blessing and Turnover Ceremony on May 18, 2016.
Rev. Antonio Mangahas Jr., Parish Priest of Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija, led the blessing of the newly-acquired vehicles, accompanied by Major General Angelito M De Leon, Commander, 7ID, PA.
MGEN ANGELITO M DE LEON AFP, Commander, 7ID, PA, led the Ceremonial Turnover of Key to Lieutenant Colonel Emerito D Pineda. Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battalion, 7ID, PA.
Rev. Antonio Mangahas Jr., Parish Priest of Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija, is flanked by MGEN ANGELITO M DE LEON AFP, Commander, 7ID, PA; BGEN DAVID DICIANO JR AFP, Assistant Division Commander, 7ID, PA, and COL AFREDO V ROSARIO JR INF (GSC) PA, Chief of Staff, 7ID, PA.
