Twenty-eight exemplary individuals and groups received recognition from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for their contribution to public service during the Awards Rites for the 2024 Outstanding Government Workers in Malacañang.
President Marcos Jr. conferred the recognition to the recipients of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, Outstanding Public Officials and Employees (Dangal ng Bayan) Award, and Civil Service Commission (CSC) Pagasa Award.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles, along with CSC Commissioners Aileen Lourdes Lizada and Ryan Alvin Acosta, accompanied the President in the conferment of the awards.
Marcos praised this year’s awardees for their exceptional service, principles, and hard work that inspired everyone who strives to make a difference in society.
“You serve as the pillars upon which our government can draw its confidence and to build its momentum in achieving a Bagong Pilipinas.”
“You serve as the pillars upon which our government can draw its confidence and to build its momentum in achieving a Bagong Pilipinas. Let us remember that the impact of our work does not lie in the recognition that we receive or the laurels that we are given; it lies in the hearts that we have touched, the communities that we have reached, and the lives that we have changed,” the President said.
“Government work is about making our people, our country, and our world better than when we found it.”
“After all, government work is about making our people, our country, and our world better than when we found it,” he added.
Six individuals and three groups were awarded the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, the highest recognition for state workers granted to those who have made exceptional contributions through innovative ideas or impactful actions of national significance, particularly in the areas of public interest, security, and patrimony. They are:
· Undersecretary Glenn Mathew Guillermo Baggao of the Department of Health in the City of Manila;
· Municipal Government Department Head I (Municipal Environment & Natural Resources Officer) Wilson A. Batislaon of the Municipal Government of Leganes, Iloilo;
· Medical Specialist III Rachelle C. Dela Cruz of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City;
· Social Welfare Office IV Ann Rapunzel O. Ganzon of the Provincial Government of Iloilo in Iloilo City;
· Career Scientist II Marcela M. Navasero of the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna;
· Professor III Santiago T. Peña Jr. of the Visayas State University in Baybay City, Leyte;
· Health Beyond Bard Programs of the Bataan Peninsula State University in Balanga City, Bataan;
· ISU-Cagayan Valey Cacao Development Center (CVCDC) of the Isabela State University in Echague, Isabela; and the
· PHILGAP Champs of the Visayas State University in Baybay City, Leyte.
The Dangal ng Bayan Award is given to individuals for the performance of extraordinary acts of public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior, based on adherence to Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
This recognition was bestowed upon the following ten awardees:
· Nursing Attendant II Reymaximiano Q. Aquino of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) in Baguio City;
· School Principal II Daryl B. Arguelles of Bagtason Elementary School, Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office of Antique in Bugasong, Antique;
· Administrative Aide V (Plumber II) Michael Ike M. Bertulfo of the Office of the Municipal Engineer/Waterworks, Municipal Government of Macrohon in Macrohon, Southern Leyte;
· Medical Specialist III Jimmy A. Billod of the BGHMC in Baguio City;
· Administrative Aide III (Utility Worker II) Florentino N. Dela Cruz Jr. of the Baguio City Public Library, City Government of Baguio in Baguio City;
· Teacher III Donna Lyn M. Geronimo of Camarines Sur National High School, DepEd Schools Division Office of Naga City in Peñafrancia Avenue, Naga City;
· Licensing Officer I Erly Rose L. Guzman of the City Permits and Licensing Office, City Government of Lipa in Lipa City, Batangas;
· Administrative Aide I Rick O. Habana of Cabcab Central Elementary School, DepEd Schools Division Office of Catanduanes in San Andres, Catanduanes;
· Master Teacher I Dyecebel A. Pangaldin of DepEd-Alternative Learning System, Schools Division Office of Sarangani in Alabel, Sarangani Province; and
· Associate Professor IV Shirley M. Siozon of the Eastern Visayas State University in Tacloban City.
Meanwhile, the CSC Pagasa Award, a recognition given to an individual or group of individuals for outstanding contributions that directly benefit more than one department of the government, were awarded to eight individuals and one group, namely:
· Inspector (Jail) Anita T. Andueza of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Regional Office V, Legazpi City Jail in Bogtong, Legazpi City;
· Senior Education Program Specialist Kyle David V. Atienza of DepEd Schools Division Office of Marinduque in Boac, Marinduque;
· School Principal IV Lordelyn A. Buyo of Carmen National High School, DepEd Schools Division Office of Davao Del Norte in Carmen, Davao Del Norte
· Information Technology Officer I Jekyll D. Cadungog of DepEd Schools Division Office of Zamboanga Sibugay in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay;
· Corporate Executive Officer I Jasmin F. Gutierrez of the Social Security System San Pablo Branch in San Pablo City, Laguna;
· Master Teacher II June Elias V. Patalinghug of Ciriaco Mariano Elementary School, DepEd Schools Division Office of Davao City in Davao City;
· Administrative Officer V Adelfa T. Salutan of the City Government of Tagbilaran in Tagbilaran City, Bohol
· Information Officer III Hector Ulibas Tabbun of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office No. 02 in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; and the
· DA Caraga Soybean Advocates of the DA Regional Office XIII in Butuan City.
In his message, Nograles expressed his pride in the harvest of awardees who imbibe the outstanding work, perseverance, and exemplification of unquestionable integrity of the country’s public sector human capital.
“Dahil sa kanila, mas marami na ang lubos na natutuwa sa mga pagbabago sa paraan ng paglilingkod ng mga kawani ng gobyerno sa mamamayang Pilipino—ilan sa mga ito ay ang mas mabilis at mas maginhawang aplikasyon sa mga programa, mas madaling paghingi ng social assistance at ayudang pangkabuhayan at pag-nenegosyo, mga inisyatibong nagsusulong sa paggamit ng makabagong teknolohiya sa agrikultura, at marami pang iba,” the CSC chief added.
As part of the government’s rewards and incentives mechanism, the annual Search for Outstanding Government Workers aims to recognize civil servants who have shown utmost dedication and commitment to their work, as well as inspire other state employees toward deeper involvement in public service.
The Search is in line with the CSC’s functions mandated by the 1987 Philippine Constitution and implemented pursuant to Executive Order (EO) No. 292 or the Administrative Code of 1987; EO No. 501, series of 1992, as amended by EO No. 77, series of 1993; and Republic Act No. 6713.
As provided under Section 35, Chapter 5, Book V of the Administrative Code of 1987, the CSC shall act as the Honor Awards Program (HAP) Secretariat and conduct the annual search for public exemplars.
