Palace Honors This Year’s Outstanding Public Servants

Malacañang on Monday honored this year’s outstanding government officials and employees, among them public servants who emerged as “heroes” in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa led the presentation of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan, Dangal ng Bayan and Pagasa Awards to public officials and employees for their dedication and outstanding work performance.

In his speech during the awards ceremony in Malacañang Palace, Executive Secretary Ochoa commended this year’s exemplary public servants “who have made a difference in the lives of our people.”

“Our awardees today, like those who serve at the front lines of disaster mitigation and response, serve as a reminder that public service is a noble calling. You are being honored because you represent what it means by going the extra mile to serve our people,” he said.

“You are here because the extra toil and time dedicated to your jobs has redounded to the benefit of our people. You are being recognized because you reflect the ideals and virtues expected from the men and women who comprise the Philippine bureaucracy,” he added.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) administers the Honor Awards Program (HAP), which aims to recognize and reward public officials and employees for outstanding work performance and consistent ethical behavior.

Fire officers Oscar Ma. Guarda, Jr. and Luisito Tizon of the Tanauan Fire Station in Leyte were among this year’s Dangal ng Bayan awardees. They were recognized for their bravery and selflessness while responding to the needs of the citizens of Leyte during the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda.

Recipient of the Pagasa Award, the Marinduque Animal and Wildlife Rescue Emergency Response Team of the Provincial Government of Marinduque was the first animal welfare group to set foot in the impact zone in Leyte after the typhoon. Through operation “Sagip Hayop,” affected animals, including livestock, were rescued and preserved as a source of income and food.

Presidential Lingkod Bayan awardee, Elton Monet Merelos, Aircraft Mechanic II of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), was commended for his dedication and commitment in the repair and maintenance of UH-1H aircraft that enabled the PAF to save millions of pesos in ensuring the airworthiness of all the units, as well as provide the much needed air support for rescue and relief operations.

Also presented the Lingkod Bayan Award were Brigadier General Rolando Aquino, Wing Commander, PAF; Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares, Bureau of Internal Revenue; Alfredo Pascual, President, University of the Philippines; Mudjekeewis Santos, Supervising Aquaculturist/Scientist I, Natural Fisheries Research and Development Institute; Romeo Seguban, Professor II, Isabela State University; Edgardo Tulin, University Professor, Visayas State University; and Industrial Technology Development Institute-DOST Research and Development Team.

Besides Guarda and Tizon, other Dangal ng Bayan awardees were Saldon Arajil, Police Officer III, Philippine National Police; Roldan Colas, Heavy Equipment Operator I, Department of Public Works and Highways; Alfred Mel Dagaylo-an, Veterinarian I, Municipal Government of Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte; Jubaira Isnain, Chief of Hospital, Parang District Hospital, Sulu; Melecio Maghanoy, University Research Associate II, UP Los Baños; Euthemia Plariza, Midwife II, Municipal Government of Dalaguete, Cebu; Alicia Rebuelta, Agricultural Technologist, Municipal Government of Kalibo, Aklan; and Rhia Sotomil, Senior Police Officer III, Pavia Municipal Police Station, Iloilo.

Recipients of the Pagasa Award, on the other hand, were Maricel Bechayda, Local Government Operations Officer VI, Department of the Interior and Local Government; Lourdes Floria, Principal I, Zaragoza Elementary School, La Union; Ariel Larona, Museum Technician I, UP Los Baños; Rodolfo Modelo, Elementary School Principal IV, Commonwealth Elementary School, Quezon City; Gilbert Peremne, Superintendent, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Regional Office VI; Romela Ratilla, Senior Science Research Specialist, Department of Science and Technology Regional Office X; Concepcion Tababa, Master Teacher II, Tubungan Central Elementary School, Iloilo; City Agriculturist’s Office, City Government of Tabuk, Kalinga; Davao City Central Communications and Emergency Response Center or CENTRAL 911, City Government of Davao; and Special Audit Team-ORG ARMM, Commission on Audit. PND (co)