LEGACY HONORED. Former defense secretary Renato de Villa (left) receives the Outstanding Achievement Medal from incumbent Department of National Defense (DND) chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at the agency's headquarters on Thursday (Aug. 15, 2024). De Villa served as the country's 18th DND chief from July 20, 1991 to Sept. 15 1997. (Photo courtesy of the DND)
MANILA – Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. awarded the Outstanding Achievement Medal (OAM) to former defense chief Renato De Villa for his stellar achievements in leading the agency.
De Villa received the OAM from Teodoro in simple rites in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Thursday, according to a news release from the DND on Friday.
“His brand of quiet leadership is a standard that I hope all 2nd Lieutenants will look up to, all Generals will look up to, all Major Service Commanders will look up to, all future Secretaries of National Defense will look up to, and all Executive Secretaries will look up to,” Teodoro said.
De Villa served as the country's 18th DND chief from July 20, 1991 to Sept. 15 1997, under two presidents – Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos.
He also briefly served as executive secretary of then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2001.
During his stint as DND chief, De Villa also chaired the National Disaster Coordinating Council, forerunner of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, overseeing national-level disaster management and mitigation, relief and rescue operations, rehabilitation of calamity areas, and assistance to disaster victims.
Teodoro also thanked De Villa for his steadfast commitment and exceptional service to the DND throughout his tenure. (PNA)
