THE JUNIOR Chamber International (JCI) Senate Davao (Davao Jaycee Senate) has chosen LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, the commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), as one of the Outstanding Davaoeños for 2023.
The award fell under the Peace and Order Category, during the organization’s Leaders and Achievers of Davao (LEAD) Awarding Ceremony held at the Acacia Hotel, Lanang, on Dec. 7.
Almerol was nominated by Office of Civil Defense Region XI regional director Ednar Dayanghirang, also a member of the Multi-Sector Governance Council (MSGC), a third-party advisory group of the Eastern Mindanao Command, for his contribution to the peace and security in Davao City and the declaration of Davao Region, particularly Davao City as “Insurgency-free.”
Almerol, accompanied by his wife Lynette and their children, received the prestigious LEAD Award following a tedious process by the five-member Board of Judges namely: Councilor Pilar C. Braga; Belinda L Torres, 2024 president of Davao Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dr Elsie E Gagabe, DepEd Davao City education program supervisor; Fermin Edillon, reputation and department head, Davao Light and Power Company; and PCG Reservist VAdm Beethoven N. Sur, 2018 Davao City Government Datu Bago Awardee and also LEAD Awardee CY 2022.
Another recipient of the LEAD Award 2023 was Architect Sherrila B Porza-Sawah, UAP, the regional director of the National Commission on Muslim Filipino Field Office XI, for the Community Empowerment and Development category.
During the program, JCI Senator Jocelyn Tagle-Ledesma, former president of the Davao Jaycee Senate, praised the awardees for their extraordinary accomplishments, which demonstrated outstanding leadership, unwavering dedication, and remarkable contributions to the betterment of the community.
“The impact of the LEAD Awards on our community continues to grow, inspiring others to follow in the footsteps of our esteemed awardees. Their stories of perseverance, integrity, and leadership serve as beacons of hope and encouragement, igniting a sense of purpose and responsibility among our fellow citizens,” she said.
Meanwhile, during his acceptance speech, Almerol recalled his journey as he started his military career, reminiscing the complex challenges he encountered in Mindanao, which became one of the most important chapters of his career.
He also acknowledged the support of his comrades, the local government units, and stakeholders, particularly the Davaoeños, who were instrumental in the efforts to accomplish the mission and became the focal point for EastMinCom’s successes.
“I have worked tirelessly to fulfill our missions and bring security and hope to the region by facing the reality of insurgency. It was not easy, and it never will be. The journey was full of challenges, of which each required a unique blend of strategy and perseverance. But accomplishing the mission was possible because I was supported not only by my comrades but also by the Davaoeños,” Almerol said.
“The lessons I learned in leadership, community engagement, and conflict resolution have been indelibly etched into my approach to leadership. Together, we have traveled a path of service, sacrifice, and success. This award belongs to them and to you as much as it belongs to me,” the EastMinCom Commander added.
LEAD, a noble program of the Davao Jaycee Senate, has been honoring movers and shakers in the Davao community for 20 years.
