FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija – The Governance and Strategy Management Office (GSMO), headed by Colonel Raul C. Vinoya, of the 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division held on May 27, 2016 the 5th Multi-Sector Advisory Board (MSAB) Meeting in Iba, Zambales, home to Ms. Judy M. Sorsano, a much respected member of the MSAB who played host during the event.
It was May of last year when the 7ID MSAB was created with the purpose of assuring continuity, sustainability and shared responsibility in pursuing the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR). Elected as MSAB Chairperson was Dr. Virginia G. Sacramento, who until now remains in her position. Within a span of one year, the 7ID, with the help of MSAB, was able to reach the Proficient stage, the 3rd stage of the Army Governance Pathway (AGP), which is made up of four stages that participating organizations must reach to attain the vision of the ATR. The stages in the AGP are the Initiation Stage, the Compliant Stage, the Proficient Stage, and the fourth and final stage – the Institutionalized Stage.
With both pride and humility, Chief GSMO revealed that the 7ID achieved a rating of 9.5 during the on-site audit of the ASMC Audit, the highest in the history of the Philippine Army. The audit is conducted to validate and ensure that the hallmarks set for the AGP-Proficient Status have been followed. Colonel Alfredo V. Rosario Jr., Chief of Staff of the 7ID, presented the 7ID ATR journey towards the Proficiency Stage to Conference Group Charlie composed of the General Staff of the Philippine Army which aims to justify the findings during the on-site audit.
To further impress upon the Board the outcome of such rating, they were also informed regarding the latest trust rating of the Army which is +75, similar to its baseline record in 2015. The Army’s biggest improvement, however, is its nation building contribution index which got a +74 rating compared to +68 in 2015.
Taking note of the current status and working towards maintaining the momentum of development, the MSAB proceeded to give equal attention to the following agendas presented: 1. Updates on the Army Governance Pathway, the ATR and MSAB Summit; 2. The Multi-Purpose Cooperative Management System; 3. The Pahingahan Dam Complex Rehabilitation; 4. 7ID Tour Packages and the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation (FMMR) Marketing Plan; 5. Feasibility Study on Resettlement of Informal Settlers; 6. MSAB membership; and the 6. Designation of Chairperson for the MSAB Sub-Committees.
In view of transforming the Army into a sustainable organization that will equally provide livelihood for its people, especially for those who will soon be retiring from active duty, the MSAB is currently looking into additional livelihood programs. Among the MSAB’s priority projects that will soon be put into motion are the Mushroom Production and the Eco-Tourism in 7ID.
Livelihood projects that are now fully operational are the Tilapia fish cages at the Pahingahan Dam, Rice production at REPWEC, Swine breeding, Bamboo planting, and the Aqua Fort Water Refilling Station. On February 1, 2016, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been signed between the Taberne Agri Focus Multi-Purpose Cooperative and the 7ID for a Papaya Plantation. Another MOA was signed between the Maligaya National High School Multi-Purpose Cooperative and the 7ID for a Cassava Plantation on March 1, 2016.
Through the ATR, and with the MSAB’s continued support and guidance, the 7ID’s journey towards transformation is imminent.
Major General Angelito M. De Leon, Commander of 7ID, in his closing remarks during the conference, thanked the members of the MSAB for their passion and commitment in seeing through the projects of 7ID. For his part, he committed the equal passion of the Command, along with the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the ATR (who can also be considered as the military counterparts of the MSAB) in moving forward the initiatives of the MSAB, living true to their mandate.
MGEN ANGELITO M DE LEON AFP, Commander, 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division, PA with the 7ID Multi-Sector Advisory Board (MSAB) chaired by Dr. Virginia G. Sacramento, and the 7ID Technical Working Group (TWG) led by COL RAUL C VINOYA during the 7ID 5th MSAB Meeting held in Iba, Zambales last May 27, 2016.
MGEN ANGELITO M DE LEON AFP, Commander, 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division, PA and Dr. Virginia G. Sacramento, Chairperson of the Multi-Sector Advisory Board (MSAB) presents a token to Ms. Judy M. Sorsano, host of the 5th MSAB Meeting held in Iba, Zambales last May 27, 2016.
MGEN ANGELITO M DE LEON AFP, Commander, 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division, PA listen intently as the 7ID Multi-Sector Advisory Board discusses future plans and consider suggestions with the Technical Working Group during the 5th MSAB Meeting held in Iba, Zambales last May 27, 2016.
