BATAC — In an effort to boost the local defense and disaster response capacity of the province, the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines (ARRAPI) has formally inducted 400 new reservists in a simple ceremony held in the city recently.
Lt. Col. Michael L. Romero, commander of the 2nd Air Force Wing Reserve and ARRAPI Chairman, led the mass oathtaking in a festive atmosphere witnessed by officials of the province and the families of the reservists.
“We are building a modern Reserve Force—one that is local, responsive, and led by people who know the heart of their communities,” Romero said.
He also expressed his gratitude to Brig. Gen. Danilo Dupiag, acting Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs (AFP OJ9), for convening the event, and Lt. Col. Mel Agpaoa, Army Reservist Brigade Commander of Ilocos Norte for hosting the oathtaking.
Romero also thanked Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Marcos — a Philippine Air Force reservist — for gracing the occasion.
Marcos, according PAF 2nd ARCEN Col. Mark Yambing and AFRC Commander Major-General Pablo Rustria, will soon be officially designated as Search and Rescue Squadron Commander and Advanced Command Post (ACP) leader of Laoag, Ilocos Norte under the 2nd Air Force Wing Reserve.
With the 400 new Ilocano reservists, ARRAPI’s national strength now exceeds 5,000 members — composed of reservists and administrators from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.
Among the key ARRAPI leaders and commanders present were CDR Peter Negrido (Navy Reserve), Lt. Col Vladimir Mata (Brigade Commander, Ilocos Norte Marine Reserve), Lt. Col. Gel Bonggat (Battalion Commander, Ilocos Norte Marines Reserve) and Lt. Col. Mel Agpaoa (Army Reservist Brigade Commander, Ilocos Norte).
“This is not just a ceremony, it is a statement that Ilocos Norte is ready,” said Agpaoa.
For his part, Negrido said: “Search and rescue is essential in every disaster-prone province.”
“This ceremony shows that patriotism begins in our local communities,” Mata added.
“Handa kaming magsilbi para sa bayan at Ilocos Norte,” Bonggat said.
Dupiag likewise praised the Ilocos Norte mobilization as a model for the rest of the country. “Ilocos Norte has raised the bar. This is how we prepare our people for service—through unity, leadership, and discipline,” he said.
