By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday reiterated continued support of the administration to civil servants by providing better working conditions and ensuring professional development of civil service in the country.
The President said this as he commended exemplary government workers for consistently delivering “quality public service regardless of their position or their pay”.
Marcos led the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Honor Awards Program (HAP) ceremony at the Malacañan Palace which bestowed the Presidential Lingkod Bayan, the CSC Pagasa Award, and the Dangal ng Bayan Award to public service exemplars.
“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,” President Marcos said in a speech.
“In Bagong Pilipinas, we want to increase their tribe, in line with our efforts to build a resilient government driven by agile and future-ready civil servants. This government will always support efforts that will improve your welfare.”
The HAP set of awards are the most coveted recognition conferred by the Philippine government to individuals or group of individuals who have excelled or exhibited utmost dedication and commitment to public service.
These are the highest honor a civil servant could receive in his or her government career, according to the CSC.
The 62nd HAP hailed a total of 27 public servants and groups including eight Presidential Lingkod Bayan awardees, nine Pagasa Award recipients, and 10 Dangal ng Bayan honorees.
The Chief Executive also lauded Baguio City’s Lead Contact Tracing Team led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong for introducing an effective and efficient contact tracing system.
On the other hand, LandBank’s Agent Banking Program Team was acknowledged for introducing branchless banking as well as the core team of DOST Region VI for its S-PaSS Travel Management System or Safe, Swift and Smart Passage which helped ease movement during the pandemic.
Exemplary public servants were recognized through the CSC’s annual Search for Outstanding Government Workers as mandated by Administrative Code of 1987.
Meanwhile, submission of nominations for the 2024 Search for Outstanding Government Workers will end on March 31st. – avds