Lieutenant Colonel Santiago Enginco may just be one the young army officers who came and in due course replaced by another. As an outgoing Battalion Commander of the 49th IB (Juban, Sorsogon) who has intensely corresponded with the PDRRMC, his phase seemed so soon.
At the Provincial Disaster Risk Management Office, it is customary to meet up with newly-assigned PA officials in crisp uniforms every so often. The PDRMO is at the moment in anticipation of a courtesy call from Lieutenant Colonel Epimaco N. Macalisang, Enginco’s replacement.
The Secretariat often has to have their names, rank, mobile number and email address placed on the roll of point persons who contribute significant tasks in PDRRMC’s disaster operations.
Among these gallant uniformed powers that be, one soft spoken Lt. Colonel Enginco magnifies the ardor down to every soldier who moved to the fore while taking the possibility of stumbling upon hostile insurgents so as to save the lives of people in some of the most calamity-stricken areas in the province.
In retrospect, Lieutenant Colonel Santiago I. Enginco INF (GSC) PA is a native of Lipa City, Batangas. A graduate of the prominent Philippine Military Academy, he belongs to the Bigkislahi Class of 1990.
As a junior officer (2LT – CPT), he was with the 6th Infantry Division in Central Mindanao, particularly in Davao del Sur, North Cotabato and Maguindanao from 1990 to 1997.
He was also assigned (CPT – Major) with the 5th ID from 2001 to 2004 at the Division Headquarters and Brigade, and later with the 9ID as an LTC from 2007 to date.
In between these field assignments, he too has worked at the Army Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio for almost 7 years and spent half a year as an Executive Officer of the 6th Philippine Contingent to Liberia.
His battalion was deployed in Sorsogon on August 1, 2009 with him as commander. Being at the forefront, disaster response is a diminutive piece of his experience, but the course of action prior to it is most significant for Enginco. Getting in touch with all concerned agencies and building both working and personal relationships is the right frame of reference to establish his position.
Considering that everyone involved in saving the lives of people in distress has one and the same purpose, he admits that it lessens the saddle of other things related to response.
With these, he learns to value the local situation, choose the right priorities and acknowledge the risks. In the event of disasters, it’s just a matter of making the most of it and not thinking twice because he knows that equally dedicated people who desire to mitigate the effects of calamities are working with him.
As a committee member of the PDRRMC, he considers not being an active part of it as a remiss of duty. He regards the Council especially the LGU level as integral in 49th IB’s capability in accomplishing its responsibilities. Even if its just part of the “job,” he finds self-fulfillment and satisfaction by helping people in times of need while doing that job.
When disaster strikes, it’s his priority. He would always trade the battalion’s task in anti-insurgency for disaster response, even if he has to commit his troops to respond to it, or a threat comes from the other side which may pose true danger to his men, is a risk worth taking. He confesses that most of his men do not see him often to really learn from what he does. “They have their equal determination and resolve to contribute to what they are doing. It is more of the trust they give me as their commander and not so much on what I show them. They are also equally led by competent and dedicated officers and NCOs,” Enginco explains.
He leaves this message for everyone: “Disaster response is a manifestation of all humans caring for each other. Whether you are mandated to or not, there is always a sense in every one of us to contribute during these dire situations either by being part of the solution or by not being part of the problem.” He further gives surety that the campaign against disasters would always be a part of the job and a privilege to contribute to it anytime.
As an outgoing Battalion Commander involved in the rescue, evacuation, relief and security committee, Lieutenant Colonel Santiago I. Enginco will be preeminently remembered for his active coordination and participation in all the roles and tasks of the 49th IB in various committees of the PDRRMC.
However, as the table turns Lieutenant Colonel Epimaco N. Macalisang takes the truncheon as the new 49th IB Commander. It was completed in a formal change-of-command ceremony last Saturday (June 4, 2011) at its camp in Anog, Juban.
In brief tête-à-tête with Lt. Colonel Macalisang, the new battalion leader was asked of how his command would share in the implementation of the disaster risk reduction program in the Province. Macalisang straightforwardly disclosed his plan of re-grouping trained 49th IB soldiers in various disaster operations for a gateway to further vigilance and possible enhancement of their skills.
Correspondingly, the official articulated his concern for the “first responders” during disasters. He strongly laid emphasis on better circumstances when barangays are constantly prepared which in the long run would reduce the probable risk they would encounter.
Nonetheless, he looked onward for an immediate coordination with the LGU to discuss on how his battalion would appropriately coordinate, prepare and respond to in times of disasters. (Von Labalan – PIO spdrmo.webs.com)
Guzman said 903rd Brigade commander Col. Felix Castro dispatched a seven-man team under the 49th Infantry Battalion to check reported rebel activities in Palale, Bulan, Sorsogon, when it clashed with the rebels for 20 minutes.
