As the nation celebrates National Women’s Month this March, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) called for more women in government service to be recognized for their noteworthy accomplishments.

The CSC, which administers the annual Search for Outstanding Government Workers, said that years of recognizing honor awardees have proven that women can be effective partners in development.

It cited Dr. Agnes Centino, City Government Assistant Department Head I at the Gingoog City Health Office, Misamis Oriental, who was instrumental in championing health programs for infectious diseases, such as malaria, through strategic partnerships, advocacy campaigns, and community engagement.

Malaria is especially a threat to the indigenous peoples (IPs) or Higaonons of Gingoog who reside outside mainstream society and do not have ready access to health facilities or services. Through community immersion, Dr. Centino and her team slowly gained the trust of IP leaders and was able to introduce the communities to modern technology and medical treatment.

In 2017, Gingoog was declared a malaria-free city by the World Health Organization.

For her efforts, Dr. Centino was conferred the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, which was handed to her personally by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in 2019.

She is one of 76 women who received awards last year for their excellent performance in different fields of government work.

Outstanding workers

So that more deserving women in public service can be recognized and rewarded, the CSC calls for nominations to the 2020 Search for Outstanding Government Workers. Last day of submission of nominations is on 31 March.

There are three award categories under the Search. Presidential Lingkod Bayan awardees are hailed for their contributions to solving problems of national concern. The Dangal ng Bayan Award recognizes consistent exemplary ethical behaviour, while the CSC Pagasa Award cites contributions benefiting a department or office, a community, or a region.

Aside from their award being conferred by the President of the Republic of the Philippines at Malacañang, awardees are given plaques or trophies, cash incentives, and opportunities for promotion, scholarship, and medical assistance.

Nominations may now be submitted to the CSC’s provincial and regional offices.

For more details on the 2020 Search, contact the HAP Secretariat at telephone numbers (02) 8931-7993, (02) 8932-0381 and hotline (02) 8932-0111, TextCSC 0917-839-8272 or send an email to 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..

Women’s Month

Women in the government workforce have long contributed to the achievement of organizational and societal goals. Their importance to nation-building is highlighted in the 2020 National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) theme, “We Make Change Work for Women.”

The CSC joins the Philippine government and the rest of the nation in observing the NWMC to recognize the role of women in improving public service delivery.