CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—The Armed Forces of the Philippines held a Testimonial Parade and Review on Tuesday, 28 June 2022, in honor of outgoing Secretary of National Defense (SND) Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana.
AFP Chief of Staff General Andres C Centino led the honors as the military recognized the SND’s full support of the AFP’s campaigns and programs.
“The Testimonial Parade & Review is the AFP’s acknowledgment of the contribution and service of the SND, a collective salute and appreciation of his life in government service. Today’s honoree deserves no less than our snappiest salutes and our loudest cheers,” the Chief of Staff said.
In the last six years at the helm of the defense department, Secretary Lorenzana was relentless in advancing the implementation of the AFP modernization program that enabled the AFP to perform its mandate of protecting the people and securing the state.
“The SND was also on top of the pressing need to ensure that our personnel would have the technical proficiency to utilize the modern assets and equipment to the fullest,” the Chief of Staff added.
The AFP also remembered the SND’s leadership during the Marawi Crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, and the implementation of various programs like Barangay Development Program, and Tatak ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad.
With the commitment and support of the SND, the salary increase of AFP personnel was materialized. Further, decent homes were made available, especially for the families of soldiers who were killed in action.
“Today, the AFP can say we have better workspaces, living quarters, medical health facilities, and road networks, all of which means a stronger, more productive, and more responsive AFP,” the AFP Chief of Staff said.
In his speech, the SND heartily acknowledged everyone whom he has worked with throughout his life in government service. “When I look back at my military career that started when I was a cadet in high school, followed by my cadetship in the Philippine Military Academy, commissionship in the Army and all throughout those years until today, I couldn’t have achieved what I have done or reached this high, this far, without the help, assistance, and mentorship of so many people along the way,” Secretary Lorenzana said.
“Of course, it is also because I belong to a very professional organization – the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I have no regrets, I have fought the good fight. It was all an exciting, challenging, and personally rewarding journey,” the Secretary added.
(Photo by SN1 Viluan/TSg Obinque)
