Do you know someone who works in government who deserves to receive an award for honest and exemplary service?
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) announces that nominations to the 2019 Search for Outstanding Government workers may now be submitted to the CSC’s provincial and regional offices. The annual Search forms part of CSC’s Honor Awards Program (HAP). The awards to be given out are the highest and most coveted recognition given by the government to individuals or group of individuals who have excelled or shown utmost dedication and commitment in public service.
All government workers in the career and non-career service including appointive barangay may be nominated. Employees who are under job order or contract of service are excluded from the coverage of the program.
The three award categories under the Search are the Presidential Lingkod Bayan, Outstanding Public Officials and Employees or the Dangal ng Bayan, and CSC Pagasa.
The Presidential Lingkod Bayan is conferred to an individual or group for exceptional or extraordinary contributions that had nationwide impact. This year’s roster included a posthumous awardee, Dr. Brigida A. Claro of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC). She was cited for being the first and only trained toxicologist in Northern Luzon, she dedicated her profession and expertise in establishing the Poison Control Unit of the BGHMC. She is also a pioneer of the initiative to make the Center a multi-specialty hospital by establishing its Heart, Lung, and Kidney Center and Cardiovascular Diagnostic Unit.
Previous recipients of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan include the late Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, former Batangas City Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, former University of the Philippines President Alfredo E. Pascual, and the Olongapo City Disaster Risk-Reduction Management Office.
Meanwhile, 2018 Outstanding Public Officials and Employees or Dangal ng Bayan Award recipient, Laborer Gelson A. Rili of the City Environmental Management Office (CEMO) served as an inspiration to co-workers in Marikina City for diligently performing his tasks despite dangers and risks posed by his job as a street sweeper. Rili had been hit by passing vehicles landing him in the hospital four times. According to records from CEMO, the first time he was hit by a jeepney, he landed in the hospital and stayed there for 19 days. The day after he was discharged, he reported for work.
Education and position are not the main requirements for the recognition. The Dangal ng Bayan is awarded to employees for strict adherence to the norms of conduct which positively influences others to observe high standards and observance of ethics in the discharge of official duties.
Notable Dangal ng Bayan awardees in the past include Governor Edgardo M. Chatto of Bohol, Dr. Eleanor Javonillo of Antipolo City, State Auditor Concepcion M. Guanzon of the Commission on Audit Region 10 and Professor Pablo U. Amascual III of the Leyte Normal University.
The CSC Pagasa Award is given to an individual or group of individuals for outstanding contributions that directly benefit more than one department of the government. One group awardee in 2018 developed an organic product using ethnobotanicals, specifically betel nut and ipil ipil seeds to control intestinal worms in native chicken. The Botanical Dewormer of the Capiz State University trained farmers on the use of the Botanical Dewormer to increase the production and profitability of native chicken-raising in Panay Island.
For more details on the 2019 Search, contact the HAP Secretariat at telephone numbers (02) 931-7993, (02) 932-0381, and hotline (02) 932-011, TextCSC 0917-839-8272 or email hapsecretariat@yahoo.com or ha psecretariat@gmail.com. (CSC)
