FIVE educators and three groups from various areas in the country were honored in Malacañang Wednesday for winning the 2023 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for achievements that have potential benefits for the entire country.
President Marcos Jr. conferred the awards to Orlando Balderama, professor at the Isabela State University; Amborsio Cultura II, president of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (Cagayan de Oro City); master teachers Kris Christopher dela Cruz and Raquel Rivera of the Alaminos City National High School (Pangasinan); Julie Ann Salido, professor, Aklan State University; the Baguio City Lead Contact Tracing Team; the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Agent Banking Program Team; and the S-Pass Core Team of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 6 (Iloilo City).
“Today, we recognize our fellow civil servants who have honored their oaths of office with remarkable and honest work that has made a positive impact on the lives of the Filipino people. Standing solidly on our nation’s bedrock belief that public office is a public trust, our 2023 Outstanding Government Workers project the image of an ideal Filipino government worker,” the President said.
The CSC said the Presidential Lingkod Bayan is 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.
Also present to honor the recipients were CSC chairperson Karlo A. Nograles and commissioners Aileen Lizada and Ryan Alvin Acosta.
Likewise honored at the ceremony were the awardees of the 2023 Dangal ng Bayan Award which is given to government workers who have performed extraordinary acts of public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior.
The recipients were nutritionist Eleonor B. Ayan of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in Baguio City; school principal Mary Hazel B. Ballena of the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Abra in Bangued, Abra; Disability Affairs officer Rex A. Bernardo of the provincial government of Camarines Norte; social welfare officer Bernardo T. Cadaon Jr. of DSWD CAR in Baguio City; National Food Authority (NFA) utility worker Bernardino Dabuet;
Special Education teacher Gay D. Galdo of DepEd – Division of Davao Oriental; Information Technology officer Fritz J. Juele of DepEd Schools Division of Roxas City in Capiz; head teacher Glenny E. Laping of DepEd Lapu-Lapu Division Office in Cebu; master teacher Querino D. Lonsagon of DepEd Division of Ozamiz City; and City Government of Antipolo, Rizal mechanic Fernando Viado.
On the other hand, the winners of the 2023 CSC Pagasa Award for outstanding contributions that directly benefit more than one government department were Venus Alboruto, program supervisor of DepEd Schools Division of Surigao City; Vanessa Joy
Calderon, senior science research specialist of the Department of Agriculture Region 2;
associate professor Drolly Claravall, Isabela State University — Ilagan City campus; Ericson dela Cruz, chief of the Philippine Carabao Center Agricultural Center; Ronnalee Orteza, director, Philippine Science High School — Ilocos Region campus; DA Region 6 agriculturist Relvin Paragua; the DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Honey Team; the DOST 11 (Davao City) Food Processing and Innovation Center; and the Bulacan Agricultural State College Palayamanan Project Team.
“It is no accident or coincidence that this awards rites coincide with the celebration of Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday — days that we commemorate love and sacrifice — because it is also an opportune time to reflect on the important role of love in the life of a public servant, and we will do this today by honoring the outstanding public servants who have shown their love for our country through selfless service, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of others,” said Chairperson Nograles.
