VADM Danilo G Cabalde PCGA's Valedictory Speech
Turnover Ceremony
24 May 2014
Le Pavillon Metropolitan Park, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
“Consumatum Est . . . It is finished”.
Truly, time flies. In a blink of an eye, everything around me seems to have changed…a lot. Two years flew by so fast, one seriously did not notice the days, weeks, months and years that have passed if you enjoy and love what you do. As swiftly as time flies, all great things must come to an end. No matter how beautiful and bright the sun shines in the morning, it is expected to set at some time. My sunset has come and I am grateful to have been a part of a wonderful team.
When I started serving as your National Director, I know, you all had your questions, you all had doubts. Who wouldn’t? It was just but normal, yet as one author wrote, “Doubt is not a pleasant condition but certainly is absurd!” The doubts that all of you had, along with the willingness of some of you to try new things, made a singular and auspicious journey, a journey worth remembering.
There’s been lots of “he should do this and he should at least do that or I would never do that”, “He’s ANTI-PCG”, “I am better than him” But quick on the heels of those thoughts are the whispers.” What if he is not? What if he can really start a change? Is not change good?”
Oh Yes! I heard them . . . I heard them all! But nevertheless, these were the voices inside my head that kept me going, kept me focused on the job that has to be done.
In the past years that I have been active with the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, I have found myself dedicated in this bittersweet world of Volunteerism. I strongly believe that Volunteerism is ingrained in our culture and tradition and it is because of this that this organization has grown. Truly, it amazes me to see how we have grown duly recognized by the Government as an arm of the Philippine Coast Guard.
It has become our duty and responsibility to be vigilant and to be of service to those who are in need, especially in times of calamities. Risking our own lives for the safety of others.
Of course our journey was never smooth-sailing. We’ve had our dark times, the need has grown, criticism is still in our midst, and leadership and service is always the order of the day. But!! These things are the ones that keep us in check…it keeps us grounded and on our feet. It serves… as that little voice inside our head that pushes us to do better, to strive harder and prove them wrong.
Today, there is only one thing that I know for sure…we are not where we have started. We are where we should be and even beyond.
When I took over the helm of our organization, I shared with you my simple objective: “PCGA must have a fully developed functional units on or before the end of my term for us to effectively and efficiently do our mission” . . . which means having the need to change some of our operating systems that we have been adopting, or used to for the past 40 years. Am so grateful that you have started and have been doing already the change I encouraged you to live with.
Though the progress is not that fast the way I expected it to be, nevertheless, I am happy that it has already sunk into your system. In life, my dear friends, there is only one thing that I am sure is constant . . .and that is Change . . . We have to learn to adapt to the changing times. What may work now may not work tomorrow. Even the food spoils, time change and even WE change.
To a handful, “seeing is believing”. Which is why I have devoted a huge fraction of my time to visit different districts, to visit you, in order to have a first hand look at your situation and your needs. In so doing, I was able to reach out and interact with you, but most importantly I wanted you to feel your importance in the organization. I honor you, members, because you are the life source of this organization. Without you, is like living and not merely existing.
In our rounds, we were able to better explain to our members, all over the country, the vision of the PCGA and introduce and discuss the plans and programs of our organization for both operations, and administration, to:
- Be able to be abreast on the latest developments in the maritime industry;
- Level up with the modern technology and techniques related to our functions;
- And address the demands of RA 9993, better known as the 2009 Philippine Coast Guard Law involving the services of the PCGA.
So that, we simply asked you to:
- Reorganize your unit into 4 functional areas (or what we call squadron or division specialization). Each member must specialize 1 function, instead of you being a “jack of all trades, master of none”. As I see it, this is the main reason on why we are not that effective in doing our mission. We want to have everything that hardly can be absorb. We want to have it all.
- Having done with specialization, we advised you to be trained in your area that you chose . . . so that;
- You may be equipped with the necessary knowledge in your field of specialization;
- Having all the 3 I mentioned, never put down your guard . . . never stop learning, continue to discover new scheme that may improve further the whole system for the betterment of the organization, try new things, make a singular and auspicious journey, a journey worth remembering, and then maintain what you have had.
Simultaneously, we did:
- The standardization of our approved uniforms, ribbons, medals and accessories;
- Issued PCGA IDs starting at the last 29th PCGA National Convention. If you still can recall, this was our headache since the time PCGA came into existence. Thank God it is now resolved;
- Development of member roster and database;
- Updating the filing system in the NAMO;
- Updating the PCGA website;
- Standardized the conduct of District Conferences;
- Developed the PCGA Code of Conduct which was approved by the NAB;
- Conduct the National Strategic Planning Conference;
- 1st Train the Trainers seminar, and training;
- Organize a TWG for the review, revision, and modification of the 2012 PCGA Regulations Manual. Proposed amendments were submitted to the PCG for their consideration;
- Improvements of the NAMO office;
- Regular monthly staff meetings
- Regular monthly DNDA coordination meeting with CG-7
- Regular quarterly NAB meetings
- A total of 108 memorandum circulars issued by the NAMO in achieving the goals and objectives of our organization.
Of course, with the changes, comes resistance. Time and again, I have tried my best to show you that the changes we are making are for the best of the organization. I do understand, where those who are resisting to change, are coming from. Remember, I was once in your place. Believe me, I know how it feels to be sitting in that chair, listening to the head of the Coast Guard Auxiliary as he tells us how he wants to run the organization. However, one of the biggest mistakes that you can make in life is to ALWAYS accept the known and resist the unknown. You should, in fact do exactly the opposite; challenge the known and embrace the unknown.
I still believe that we will not be an effective partner of the Philippine Coast Guard if we continue to function, the way we are used to.
Changes will come your way whether you see them coming or not. Without change, we become stagnant and do not grow intellectually and emotionally. Yes, of course it is hard to let go of what we are used to and move on to something we are not comfortable with at first but that is necessary if you want to gain the strength and knowledge to take full control of your life.
I will never lose hope. I know that it might take time before everyone embraces change. Two years is too short to realize the change we have been advocating. But, If only we learn to quit being cynical, fearful, and doubtful about what we can achieve, then this change can once more move us toward the hope of a better day, a better organization, a better leadership.
There is a long road ahead of us, and we all understand the enormity of the task that lies beneath. We don’t know for certain the kind of challenges that tomorrow brings. This may just be a bump on the road, a detour, a yield. However, this for sure is not a dead end.
I have had a great journey in my two years of service as your National Director. Truly, there is absolute joy and wonder I had in the simplest moments, from bonding with our members or simply spending time just chatting over lunch or dinner after a meeting. I know that moments made my journey with the PCGA worthwhile. It has been two years also that we’ve been together, work together, probably don’t like each other’s face or each other’s company, or maybe not. Some may have hated me for whatever reason or reasons. But as the saying goes…”it is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not”
I would like therefore to thank my team…the district directors, my two deputies, and all NAMO Staff, likewise to Commodore Enrique Lagdameo, our former Support Group Director for Volunteer Service Training and Protocol, who had to resign from his post for health reason, then to Commo Eli Yongco, our former Support Group Director for Maritime Safety or MARSAF, who has to be replaced because of work overload. Thank you all, for the support and dedication that you have given the organization and me. My snappy salute to all of you.
I also would like to congratulate each and every member of the Auxiliary who made it today, who made it this far. Who have moved a step further. Let us continue to be of service to our nation, to our Motherland. Let us continue to leave a legacy and make those who have gone before us, proud, as we now continue our journey, full speed ahead!
Mabuhay tayong lahat!
24 May 2014
Le Pavillon Metropolitan Park, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
“Consumatum Est . . . It is finished”.
Truly, time flies. In a blink of an eye, everything around me seems to have changed…a lot. Two years flew by so fast, one seriously did not notice the days, weeks, months and years that have passed if you enjoy and love what you do. As swiftly as time flies, all great things must come to an end. No matter how beautiful and bright the sun shines in the morning, it is expected to set at some time. My sunset has come and I am grateful to have been a part of a wonderful team.
When I started serving as your National Director, I know, you all had your questions, you all had doubts. Who wouldn’t? It was just but normal, yet as one author wrote, “Doubt is not a pleasant condition but certainly is absurd!” The doubts that all of you had, along with the willingness of some of you to try new things, made a singular and auspicious journey, a journey worth remembering.
There’s been lots of “he should do this and he should at least do that or I would never do that”, “He’s ANTI-PCG”, “I am better than him” But quick on the heels of those thoughts are the whispers.” What if he is not? What if he can really start a change? Is not change good?”
Oh Yes! I heard them . . . I heard them all! But nevertheless, these were the voices inside my head that kept me going, kept me focused on the job that has to be done.
In the past years that I have been active with the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, I have found myself dedicated in this bittersweet world of Volunteerism. I strongly believe that Volunteerism is ingrained in our culture and tradition and it is because of this that this organization has grown. Truly, it amazes me to see how we have grown duly recognized by the Government as an arm of the Philippine Coast Guard.
It has become our duty and responsibility to be vigilant and to be of service to those who are in need, especially in times of calamities. Risking our own lives for the safety of others.
Of course our journey was never smooth-sailing. We’ve had our dark times, the need has grown, criticism is still in our midst, and leadership and service is always the order of the day. But!! These things are the ones that keep us in check…it keeps us grounded and on our feet. It serves… as that little voice inside our head that pushes us to do better, to strive harder and prove them wrong.
Today, there is only one thing that I know for sure…we are not where we have started. We are where we should be and even beyond.
When I took over the helm of our organization, I shared with you my simple objective: “PCGA must have a fully developed functional units on or before the end of my term for us to effectively and efficiently do our mission” . . . which means having the need to change some of our operating systems that we have been adopting, or used to for the past 40 years. Am so grateful that you have started and have been doing already the change I encouraged you to live with.
Though the progress is not that fast the way I expected it to be, nevertheless, I am happy that it has already sunk into your system. In life, my dear friends, there is only one thing that I am sure is constant . . .and that is Change . . . We have to learn to adapt to the changing times. What may work now may not work tomorrow. Even the food spoils, time change and even WE change.
To a handful, “seeing is believing”. Which is why I have devoted a huge fraction of my time to visit different districts, to visit you, in order to have a first hand look at your situation and your needs. In so doing, I was able to reach out and interact with you, but most importantly I wanted you to feel your importance in the organization. I honor you, members, because you are the life source of this organization. Without you, is like living and not merely existing.
In our rounds, we were able to better explain to our members, all over the country, the vision of the PCGA and introduce and discuss the plans and programs of our organization for both operations, and administration, to:
- Be able to be abreast on the latest developments in the maritime industry;
- Level up with the modern technology and techniques related to our functions;
- And address the demands of RA 9993, better known as the 2009 Philippine Coast Guard Law involving the services of the PCGA.
So that, we simply asked you to:
- Reorganize your unit into 4 functional areas (or what we call squadron or division specialization). Each member must specialize 1 function, instead of you being a “jack of all trades, master of none”. As I see it, this is the main reason on why we are not that effective in doing our mission. We want to have everything that hardly can be absorb. We want to have it all.
- Having done with specialization, we advised you to be trained in your area that you chose . . . so that;
- You may be equipped with the necessary knowledge in your field of specialization;
- Having all the 3 I mentioned, never put down your guard . . . never stop learning, continue to discover new scheme that may improve further the whole system for the betterment of the organization, try new things, make a singular and auspicious journey, a journey worth remembering, and then maintain what you have had.
Simultaneously, we did:
- The standardization of our approved uniforms, ribbons, medals and accessories;
- Issued PCGA IDs starting at the last 29th PCGA National Convention. If you still can recall, this was our headache since the time PCGA came into existence. Thank God it is now resolved;
- Development of member roster and database;
- Updating the filing system in the NAMO;
- Updating the PCGA website;
- Standardized the conduct of District Conferences;
- Developed the PCGA Code of Conduct which was approved by the NAB;
- Conduct the National Strategic Planning Conference;
- 1st Train the Trainers seminar, and training;
- Organize a TWG for the review, revision, and modification of the 2012 PCGA Regulations Manual. Proposed amendments were submitted to the PCG for their consideration;
- Improvements of the NAMO office;
- Regular monthly staff meetings
- Regular monthly DNDA coordination meeting with CG-7
- Regular quarterly NAB meetings
- A total of 108 memorandum circulars issued by the NAMO in achieving the goals and objectives of our organization.
Of course, with the changes, comes resistance. Time and again, I have tried my best to show you that the changes we are making are for the best of the organization. I do understand, where those who are resisting to change, are coming from. Remember, I was once in your place. Believe me, I know how it feels to be sitting in that chair, listening to the head of the Coast Guard Auxiliary as he tells us how he wants to run the organization. However, one of the biggest mistakes that you can make in life is to ALWAYS accept the known and resist the unknown. You should, in fact do exactly the opposite; challenge the known and embrace the unknown.
I still believe that we will not be an effective partner of the Philippine Coast Guard if we continue to function, the way we are used to.
Changes will come your way whether you see them coming or not. Without change, we become stagnant and do not grow intellectually and emotionally. Yes, of course it is hard to let go of what we are used to and move on to something we are not comfortable with at first but that is necessary if you want to gain the strength and knowledge to take full control of your life.
I will never lose hope. I know that it might take time before everyone embraces change. Two years is too short to realize the change we have been advocating. But, If only we learn to quit being cynical, fearful, and doubtful about what we can achieve, then this change can once more move us toward the hope of a better day, a better organization, a better leadership.
There is a long road ahead of us, and we all understand the enormity of the task that lies beneath. We don’t know for certain the kind of challenges that tomorrow brings. This may just be a bump on the road, a detour, a yield. However, this for sure is not a dead end.
I have had a great journey in my two years of service as your National Director. Truly, there is absolute joy and wonder I had in the simplest moments, from bonding with our members or simply spending time just chatting over lunch or dinner after a meeting. I know that moments made my journey with the PCGA worthwhile. It has been two years also that we’ve been together, work together, probably don’t like each other’s face or each other’s company, or maybe not. Some may have hated me for whatever reason or reasons. But as the saying goes…”it is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not”
I would like therefore to thank my team…the district directors, my two deputies, and all NAMO Staff, likewise to Commodore Enrique Lagdameo, our former Support Group Director for Volunteer Service Training and Protocol, who had to resign from his post for health reason, then to Commo Eli Yongco, our former Support Group Director for Maritime Safety or MARSAF, who has to be replaced because of work overload. Thank you all, for the support and dedication that you have given the organization and me. My snappy salute to all of you.
I also would like to congratulate each and every member of the Auxiliary who made it today, who made it this far. Who have moved a step further. Let us continue to be of service to our nation, to our Motherland. Let us continue to leave a legacy and make those who have gone before us, proud, as we now continue our journey, full speed ahead!
Mabuhay tayong lahat!