DAVAO CITY – The 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion of the Philippine Army has been recognized for its notable performance in governance and strategy management. On June 22, 2023, the unit was awarded the highest distinction in the Army Governance Pathway (AGP), the Institutionalized Stage, achieving an impressive rating of 96.42%.
The AGP is a transformative program designed to support organizations in achieving breakthrough results. It consists of four stages: Initiated, Compliant, Proficient, and Institutionalized. The AGP aligns with the Army’s vision of becoming a world-class, multi-mission ready, and cross-domain capable force, as outlined in the Army Transformation Roadmap.
The 8th Infantry Battalion’s attainment of the Institutionalized Stage reflects its commitment to genuine transformation and reform. The unit’s diligent efforts in governance and strategy management have been recognized with the esteemed Gold Trailblazer Award, the highest unit award in this category.
The achievement was a result of the unit’s meticulous execution of monthly programs, quarterly strategies, performance assessments, and collaboration with key stakeholders. Through their collective dedication, the battalion has achieved remarkable accomplishments and demonstrated principles of good governance and performance-based management.
It is worth noting that the 8th Infantry Battalion had previously received the Gold Trailblazer Award for successfully completing the AGP Proficient Stage Revalida on May 27, 2021. With a final rating of 96.88%, it held the highest rating among all evaluated units.
Lieutenant Colonel Anthony A. Bacus, the commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion, expressed his pride in the unit’s achievement and highlighted the significance of the recognition. He stated, “This highest award serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to genuine transformation as we strive to become a world-class, multi-mission ready, and cross-domain capable Army by 2040. Let us continue to sustain our gains and remain steadfast in our pursuit of genuine reforms.”