CLARK Development Corporation (CDC) president and chief executive officer Manuel Gaerlan has encouraged regional policemen to prepare for the future by pursuing their studies.
"Make yourself qualified and prepare yourself for bigger responsibilities because you will never know what you will face in the future," Gaerlan said in his speech delivered to officers and men of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Central Luzon in Camp Olivas when he was invited as guest of honor during their recent flag raising ceremonies.
Gaerlan encouraged the police personnel to continue pursuing further studies for their professional development, as he cited his journey from being a police officer to becoming a corporate executive.
"When I was with the Philippine National Police, I prepared myself not only with the duties and responsibilities of being a police officer. I decided upon myself to be qualified in other fields. In 2001, I enrolled at the Asian Institute of Management. I want to understand the language of the business sector so that after years in life of service with the government, whatever they put upon us or wherever life may take us, we are ready and qualified," Gaerlan said.
Gaerlan added that his post-graduate studies and experiences in leadership, management, command, and people interaction have equipped and prepared him to take on the challenge of being appointed as the top executive of a state-owned firm.
"I did not know so many years ago that I would be appointed as the President and CEO of CDC, but I am glad I have prepared for it years ago," he said.
Gaerlan, who finished as Summa Cum Laude and Valedictorian at PMA Class 1985 with the highest grade of 96.126 percent, also became president and CEO of Prime Lift and Load Industries.
The CDC top honcho hopes to "inspire all police officers to pursue their career not only as police officers but also as community leaders, and members of the business sector."
Gaerlan also reminded them to maintain their stance and decorum in serving and protecting the general public.
"Make yourself competent, qualified, and maintain the dignity of a police officer. Upheave your outlook in life, upheave the directions of your life so nobody will look down on you and say pulis lang yan," he said.
Meanwhile, CDC extended its support to the frontline officers of the PRO-Central Luzon by donating essential and protective materials.
The donations were personally presented by Gaerlan to PRO Regional Director Police Brigadier General Valeriano De Leon.
The donations include 52 boxes of medicines, 40 boxes of face masks, 400 pieces of face shields, and collapsible tents intended to ensure the safety of all PRO-Central Luzon frontline personnel.
With Gaerlan at the helm, the state-run corporation aims to achieve its vision for Clark by integrating "reset, rebound, recover" directions and introducing new technology to its systems and procedures geared to provide an improved investment climate in this freeport.