Brig. Gen. Carlix P. Donila, who officially relinquished his post as commander of the Philippine Air Force’s 530th Air Base Wing to Brig Gen. Lorenzo Sumicad yesterday, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to Mayor Celso Lobregat for implementing numerous infrastructure projects at the EAAB.

“I wish to thank the city mayor Celso Lobregat for his additional infrastructure projects that he has initiated for the benefit of our Base residents such as the concreting of roads leading to Blocks 3, 6, and 7, and the construction of two drainage systems at the airmen’s field. Thank you very much, sir,” General Donila said in his farewell message during the turnover of command ceremonies yesterday with Lt. Gen. Oscar H. Rabena, PAF commander general, as guest of honor and speaker.

Donila, who holds a masters degree in strategic studies from Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, also thanked the city’s congresspersons Beng Climaco-Salazar and Erbie Fabian of Districts 1 and 2, respectively, for the projects and livelihood trainings they have given to the Base and the airmen’s dependents. He also thanked his superiors for giving him the trust and support that made his stint easier.

“Because of their support, I had a better appreciation of my task,” he said even as he all cited the cooperative efforts with the American servicemen under the JSOTF-Philippines that allowed the Base to accomplish more projects, such as concreting of roads, installation of solar-powered lights. “To all of them, including our partners in the private sector and other government agencies, I shall forever be grateful.”

According to Donila, his one year and five months tour of duty at the 530th Air Base Wing has been an exciting and fulfilling one. “Apart from myself, my wife, Rachel, our children and even our grandchildren had fond memories of this place and Zamboanga City in general.”

For him, Donila stressed, there had been many significant events with long lasting impact on his life and in his career, having been assigned here in 2001 and 2009, recalling that it was also in this city where he got his promotion to a first-star rank in 2009. “Indeed, having been assigned here at EAAB was fruitful and memorable as well as challenging in my life,” he said.

More important, Donila said, his stint as wing commander gave him the opportunity to know more about the people, what they need and what they expect in relation to the overall trust of the PAF and the government as a whole.

In closing, he also conveyed his best wishes to his successor, General Lorenzo Sumicad, and said: “I am turning over to you a group of service-oriented individuals who possess the values and firm commitment. I can assure you that airmen and women will give their full support and cooperation in all your undertakings.”