With their achievements highlighting the importance of integrity, dedication, and innovation in public service, and serving as role models for civil servants across the nation, eight (8) Eastern Visayas Civil Servants were honored during the 2024 Search for Outstanding Government Workers Ceremony, a prestigious event recognizing excellence in public service, in Malacañang Palace on 18 September 2024.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., alongside Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Karlo A.B. Nograles, and Commissioners Aileen Lourdes A. Lizada, and Ryan Alvin R. Acosta conferred the honor awards - Presidential Lingkod Bayan, the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees (Dangal ng Bayan), and the CSC Pagasa, to the awardees.

Leading this year’s distinguished public servants, who are awarded with the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, are Dean Santiago Torda Peña, Jr. of the Visayas State University and the PHILGAP CHAMPS team. Dean Peña was recognized under the 2024 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Individual Category, while the PHILGAP CHAMPS, composed of Professor VI Zenaida C. Gonzaga, Ms. Blanche Franchette D. Llera, and Mr. Gideon Neil D. Tan, of the Visayas State University, Training Specialist III Concepcion B. Miro, of the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center VIII, along with City Agriculturist Mora C. Abarquez, of the City Government of Baybay, Leyte, were awarded in the Group Category.

The 2024 Presidential Lingkod Bayan is a recognition 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.

Mr. Michael Ike Macariola Bertulfo, Administrative Aide V (Plumber II), of the Municipal Government of Macrohon, Southern Leyte, and Associate Professor II Shirley Mas Siozon, of the Eastern Visayas State University, Tacloban City are two (2) of the ten (10) individual winners of the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees (Dangal ng Bayan) Award.

The Outstanding Public Officials and Employees or the Dangal ng Bayan Award, in addition, is conferred on government employees who have demonstrated extraordinary acts of public service and consistent adherence to high ethical standards as outlined in Republic Act No. 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The annual Search for Outstanding Government Workers forms part of the CSC’s Honor Awards Program (HAP), which recognizes government officials and employees who have displayed outstanding work performance and exemplary conduct and ethical behavior. The program aims to motivate or inspire government employees to improve the quality their performance and instill deeper involvement in public service.

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