Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Build, Build, Build Committee Chairperson Anna Mae Lamentillo is now an officer of the Army reserve force.
The Philippine Army (PA) donned upon Lamentillo the rank of Army reserve 1st lieutenant on Monday, June 7, after President Duterte approved her commissionship.
Army Chief Andres Centino presided over the ceremony, which was attended by DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, BGen John Dominic Pulido, and Col. Francis Sibal.
On her Instagram account, Lamentillo shared the personal experience that became key in her achieving the milestone.
"In 2017, we went back to Marawi to commence with the rehabilitation plan. Few meters from where we were, there was an active shootout. We saw smoke in one of the buildings. It was my first time to see war up close," she recalled.
"I have so much respect for our soldiers. These are the guys who risk their lives just so most of us could sleep at night. Now, I’m part of the Philippine Army," she said.
Lamentillo is also a columnist for the Manila Bulletin, where she writes about the government's key infrastructure projects under the Build, Build, Build program.