President Marcos has attributed his successful humanitarian and disaster-related visits around the country to the Presidential Airlift Wing (PAW), saying he could not do the work he needs to do without them.
"I will say this outright. I could not do the job that I do if not for the professionalism and the provision of service that the Presidential Airlift Wing provides," Marcos said on Monday, Sept. 2.
"I simply could not do the job that I need to do without the airlift wing available to me and that is how important the job is that you do and that is not only directed towards myself, the first family, and all our VIP guests, but it is an important part of our effort at nation-building," Marcos added.
The President made the statement as he graced the 56th founding anniversary of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing (PAW) at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
Marcos said that since he assumed the presidency, he has been on 445 flights with the PAW. All those flights, he stressed, represent what the presidency and the Airlift Wing stand for— courage to rise above challenges, the precision of movement, the unshakable trust in the craft and the crew.
He told them that their service is not only for him, the First Family, and the VIPs, but for the nation.
"[I]t is not only a service that you provide for me and for the first family, and our guests, our VIP guests, but it is a service that you provide for the country. That is how important a job it is that you do," Marcos said.
"You enable me and the cabinet members to fly around our country in support of humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions," he added.
The Chief Executive further acknowledged the Airlift Wing's service despite the danger in the air and the disaster they might meet on land. Through their service, he said, they have been able to assess the surroundings and help the people in the fastest and safest way possible.
"Like the journey of our nation, there will be times of turbulence—moments when the path seems uncertain, and the horizon is not clear. Through it all, we put our trust in you and in each other, to reliably weather any storm, like this one that we are weathering now," he said.
Marcos stressed that what the PAW does "is no small responsibility, and it is not one that goes unnoticed," citing the 8,416 accident-free flying hours since the start of his administration.
He urged them to reflect not just on what they have accomplished, but on what lies ahead. He also assured them that his administration "is resolute to see that your health, well-being and wellness are taken care of so that you continue to carry out your duties efficiently. "
During the event, the Commander-in-Chief also led the presentation of awards to the outstanding men, women and units of the PAW. He also received the 250th PAW Operations Handbook detailing the Wing's policies, protocols and operational standards.
The 250th PAW, often referred to as the "Bluebirds," is a premier flying unit of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) responsible for providing air transport to the President, the First Family, visiting Heads of State and Government, and other local and foreign VIPs.