• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Army has designated Sixth District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez as the officer-in-charge of the 605th Ready Reserve Battalion (RRIBn) in Negros Occidental.
Alvarez was installed yesterday by Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, during a turnover of command ceremony held at the Panaad Park in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
She succeeded Maj. Esther Leah Macatimpag.
Alvarez is a reservist with a rank of lieutenant colonel. Her husband is also a military officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“To our men and women of the battalion, know that you are not alone. Together we will uphold the values of service, courage, and integrity,” Alvarez said during the ceremony witnessed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, mayors in the sixth district, and her family members.
The 605th RRIBN is under the supervision of the Philippine Army Reserve Command led by Maj. Gen. Ramon Zagala.
Alvarez expressed her intention of sponsoring a bill in the House of Representatives aimed at giving privileges for Army reservists.
“I think that is one way of thanking them for their volunteerism,” the lawmaker said. | GB
