DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista expressed his deepest appreciation for the unwavering support of concerned stakeholders to the programs being implemented by the agency.

Bautista issued the statement as he keynoted the ceremony of the DSWD “Salamat Po Award” Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at Camp Evangelista in Patag village, Cagayan de Oro City.

Bautista said the support and commitment of the awardees helped in the successful implementation of the DSWD’s various programs and services in the countryside.

The awardees are officers of the 1st Infantry Division (ID) and its operational control units.

They are the following: Major General Generoso Ponio, 1ID commander; Brigadier General Facundo Palafox, 2nd Mechanized Brigade commander; Lieutenant Colonel Domingo Dulay, Jr., 4th Mechanized Battalion commander; Lieutenant Colonel Alfonso Matias, Jr., 5th Mechanized Battalion commander; and, Lieutenant Colonel Ray Tiongson, 10th Infantry Battalion commander.

Brigadier General Bagnus Gaerlan, 1ID assistant commander, received the award on behalf of Ponio during the awarding ceremony.

The "Salamat Po Award" is given by the DSWD in appreciation for their invaluable support and commitment to the programs and advocacy of the department in helping the people in the community. (SunStar Zamboanga)