Maparangalan ang mahusay, tapat, at katangi-tanging mga kawani ng pamahalaan. Sila na nagsisilbing ehemplo ng serbisyo publiko.

The statement was made by Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala as she encouraged the public to nominate government officials and employees deserving of recognition for honest and exemplary service.

The CSC’s regional and provincial offices are now accepting nominations to the 2021 Search for Outstanding Government Workers. 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 to public service.

All government workers in the career and non-career service including appointive barangay officials 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 the CSC Pagasa.

The Presidential Lingkod Bayan is conferred to an individual or group for exceptional or extraordinary contributions that had nationwide impact. The roster includes University of the Philippines-Manila Research Associate Professor 7 Dr. Raul V. Destura for his innovation and breakthroughs in the field of biotechnology such as the Biotek-MTM Dengue aquakit, an affordable tool that can diagnose dengue infection in 40 minutes. Most notable of his accomplishments is leading the team of scientists from UP credited for inventing the GenAmplify COVID-19 rRT-PCR Detection Kit, which helped in the early detection and effective treatment of COVID-19.

Previous recipients of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan include Albay Representative Clemente "Joey" Sarte Salceda, former University of the Philippines President Alfredo E. Pascual, Deputy Executive Director IV Joselito R. Chavez of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, the Advanced Space Technology, Research, Operations, and Services Team of the Advanced Science and Technology Institute, 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, 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.

Education and position are not the main requirements for receiving the Dangal ng Bayan but strict adherence to the norms of conduct which positively influences others to display 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. A 2019 recipient, Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell L. Yap II, institutionalized participatory and consultative governance as key to Tagbilaran’s resilience and progress. Strong partnerships have led to holistic improvements in business environment, infrastructure development, employment generation, disaster management, and social service responsiveness. He pushed for automation of the city’s business processes which resulted in significant increase in applications for new businesses.

Meanwhile, a 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 2021 Search, contact the HAP Secretariat at telephone numbers (02) 8932-0381, Contact Center ng Bayan SMS 0908-88-16565, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..