NAMRIA, through the initiative of the Geospatial Information System Management Branch (GISMB), organized and conducted a Salamat, Mabuhay retirement event for Resource Data Analysis Branch (RDAB) Officer in Charge (OIC)-Director Benjamin P. Balais. The program was held at the NAMRIA lecture hall in Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City on 27 June 2023.

 

OIC-Director Balais was given live and recorded messages from family, friends, and colleagues, including former colleagues from NAMRIA and the former Natural Resources and Management Center (NRMC). By virtue of Executive Order number 192, the NRMC was one of the four government agencies, whose functions and powers were integrated to create the present-day NAMRIA.

 

NAMRIA Administrator, Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, PhD, CESO I led the agency officials and employees in celebrating OIC-Director Balais' 39-year public service. He acknowledged the hard work, dedication, and contribution of OIC-Director Balais in the realization of the agency's mission and vision. A plaque of recognition and tokens of appreciation were awarded to OIC-Director Balais during the program.

 

In response, OIC-Director Balais thanked all the officials and employees who made his working years memorable for him. He said, "Thank you everyone. It has been a pleasure working with you all, and I will treasure all the memories that came with it. I will be definitely missing you all. Goodbye and God bless us all."

 

This writer served as the host of the program. Staff from GISMB and senior staff of RDAB provided documentation and support. All the pictures used for this article were taken by Mr. Jeffrey M. Aguillon of the Geospatial Information Services Division-GISMB.