ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Army’s 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division (1ID) has received three wheelchairs from Altama group, through its “Wheels for Warriors Program.”
Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, 1ID commander, received the wheelchairs during the flag raising ceremony Monday at Camp Maj. Cesar Sang-an that houses the 1ID headquarters in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
In turn, Ponio officially handed over the three wheelchairs to the 1ID Station Hospital.
“Our utmost appreciation and thanks to Altama for these ‘Wheels for Warriors Program’. These wheelchairs will help and bring comfort to our injured troops, most of whom were wounded during encounters with the communist New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists,” Ponio said.
“This act of generosity will further inspire us to do our best knowing that our personal sacrifices are not left unnoticed but are instead appreciated by others,” he added.
The Altama group is a company that has been making performance footwear for military and other law enforcement agencies since 1969.
The group has launched “Wheels for Warriors Program” whose mission is to provide wheelchairs to people with disabilities, especially soldiers who have sacrificed their lives to protect the people and the country.
Meanwhile, two newly-assigned officers were welcomed in the same occasion on Monday.
Ponio, who led the activity, pinned “Tabak” patches to the uniform of the two officers as an acceptance gesture by the unit. – Nikolai Gonzalo
