FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Philippine Army, through its Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM), participated in a clean-up drive operation conducted along Manila Bay on October 24, 2021.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) spearheaded the activity as the lead department tasked to rehabilitate Manila Bay and its surrounding waterways.
Around 500 reservists from Headquarters NCRRCDG, 1301st Community Defense Center (CDC), 1302nd CDC, 1303rd CDC, 1304th CDC 1305th CDC, and Search and Rescue Unit Paramedics participated in the activity.
The Philippine National Police Regional Mobile Force Battalion and other partner agencies and volunteers also trooped to Manila Bay to join the clean-up drive.
The Commanding General, Philippine Army, acknowledges the contribution of the Army reservists in keeping our environment safe and clean.
“Army reservists are a vital component of the Philippine Army. While our regular troops are focused on defeating the armed threat groups, our reservists help serve the people through non-combat missions. They are committed to providing support to government agencies not only in the event of calamities but also in maintaining a safe and clean environment,” noted Lt. Gen. Andres Centino.
The Army Reserve Component, according to Republic Act 7077 or the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act, may be called to “assist in socio-economic development; and to assist in the operation and maintenance of essential government or private utilities in the furtherance of the overall objective of the government.
[…] the Air Force and the Navy will fail, the Army will be there. To prepare for this, the Army is organizing and equipping our units,” said Lt. Gen. […]