NAMRIA Administrator, Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, PhD, led the hybrid Salamat, Mabuhay tribute event conducted in honor of the retiring Officer in Charge (OIC)-Director of the agency's Hydrography Branch (HB), Capt Antonio G Valenzuela, Jr. The activity was held at the HB Conference Room and streamed via Zoom and Facebook Live on 19 September 2023. Captain Valenzuela was the HB OIC-Director for almost five years.

 

The event was formally opened through a prayer led by Ms. Annabelle M. Barrozo, followed by a welcome message from DA Efren P. Carandang. Compilations of video birthday greetings and farewell messages from Captain Valenzuela's friends and colleagues from the branch and the agency, as well as photos from his 29-year journey and accomplishments, were shown.

 

Directors Febrina E. Damaso of the Geospatial Information System Management Branch (GISMB), Ruel DM. Belen of the Mapping and Geodesy Branch (MGB), and Concepcion A. Bringas of the Support Services Branch (SSB) shared their experiences of working with Captain Valenzuela. HB OIC-ADA Capt Carter S Luma-ang greeted and expressed his gratitude to Captain Valenzuela for his leadership and friendship. Short videos of birthday and retirement greetings of HB OIC-ADO Cdr Teodoro D Pasahol and the Resource Data Analysis Branch (RDAB) were also shown.

 

As part of the tradition in the uniformed service, Administrator Tiangco led the change of command ceremony. This involved the turning over of the HB official seal from the outgoing OIC-Director to the incoming OIC-Director.

 

In his message, Administrator Tiangco conveyed his appreciation for the 29 years of Captain Valenzuela's unwavering service. He also highlighted some of the accomplishments of NAMRIA HB during the tenure of Captain Valenzuela, such as the tracking of the sunken MT Princess Empress' location.

 

Captain Valenzuela then expressed his gratitude to Administrator Tiangco, Deputy Administrator Carandang, OIC-DA Ofelia T. Castro, branch directors, and all those in HB who helped him manage and run the branch during his term in office. He also gave words of encouragement to incoming HB OIC-Director, Captain Luma-ang.

 

OIC-Deputy Administrator Castro gave the closing remarks for the event. She thanked and congratulated the event's organizing team. She also expressed her gratitude for Captain Valenzuela's leadership and friendship. She wished him the best of luck for the next chapter of his life.

 

Chief of Staff (CoS) Rowena E. Bongalos, Administrative Division Chief Atty. Jessie M. Racimo, Planning and Policy Division Chief Xenia R. Andres, RDAB OIC-Director Sylvia L. Esperanza, Survey Support Division Chief Cdr Darwin A Dela Cruz, all vessel commanding officers and vessel officers, Maritime Affairs Division Chief LCdr Lorena Jasmin D Lerio, Nautical Charting Division Chief LCdr Maylord M De Chavez, and Physical Oceanography Division Chief Dennis Arsenio B. Bringas were also present in the event.

 

The conduct of the Salamat, Mabuhay event was pursuant to Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular Number 07, series of 1998. Ens Mary Angielyn V Rosales and PEns Brylle Anjo M Mabus from the Survey Support Division-HB hosted the program, while Mr. Jeffrey M. Aguillon and SN3 Bobby Homer R Melgar from GISMB and HB, respectively, spearheaded the virtual streaming of the activity.