53rd Engineer Brigade has new commander

CEBU, Philippines - The newly installed commander of the 53rd Engineer Brigade of the Central Command vowed to continue to produce projects aimed at maintaining peace and order in the region.

Col. Carlos Solomon, the new chief of the 53rd Engineer Brigade, said he will continue what was started by his predecessor, Brigadier Gen. Mariano Veloria who also retired yesterday during the turnover of command at Camp Lapu-Lapu Cebu City.

He assured that the 53rd Engineer Brigade will continue to reach out and support the community in the delivery of services.

“This unit will focus to contribute in the army efforts to transform itself to be more credible, dynamic, responsive, and a capable force committed to their mandate to serve the people,” he said.

The new commander will practice collaborative efforts between other stakeholders that would produce projects for the improvement of the community as a whole.

The said brigade is tasked to conduct infrastructure projects in support of the implementation of the government’s socio-economic program. Part of the mandate of the brigade is to visit far-flung areas for the construction of necessary infrastructures that would deliver services needed in the community.

The brigade has been instrumental in making most areas in the region insurgency-free by providing for the infrastructure needs of those living in depressed areas.

During Veloria’s stint as brigade commander, they were able to construct 20 schools, 25 houses, seven water systems, and other infrastructure projects amounting to P68 million.

“In my life and little ways, I was able to contribute in bringing the brigade to the path of realization to be a world-class army that would be a source of national pride,” said Veloria who served the army for over 37 years, most of which was in the engineering unit.

Veloria is an alumnus of the University of San Carlos and the Philippine Military Academy batch 1979.  (FREEMAN)