Outstanding public servants honored

MANILA, Philippines - Being an electrical inspector did not stop San Ubaldo Esteban of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Kalinga from doing a fi reman’s work and more, even if it meant putting his life at risk. Police Superintendent Eric Noble uncovered over a hundred “ghost” cops, reducing salary payments by over P3 million monthly for the Philippine National Police.

The International Training Center on Pig Husbandry in Lipa, Batangas hurdled severe budget cuts and managed to become a premier training center and technology depot on swine breeding and production in Asia and the Pacific.

These are some of the Outstanding Servants of 2009 who were conferred the prestigious Lingkod Bayan, Pagasa and Dangal ng Bayan awards in a simple ceremony recently at Malacañang.

Civil Service Commission (CSC) chair Ricardo Saludo hailed the awardees as he urged others in government to emulate their competence and integrity. “Many of these people do not make it to the headlines but their deeds are no less heroic. We hope that through  this recognition program, we pay our gratitude to their sacrifices in dedicated labor for the nation,” Saludo said.

He added state workers can honor these heroes of public service everyday by being responsive, ethical public servants and by imbuing institutions of government with the tenets of “Republic Service.”

The Lingkod Bayan Award is conferred on an individual or group of individuals for exceptional contributions resulting from an idea or performance that has nationwide impact. Recipients of the awards are: Eric Noble (PNP, Pangasinan); Gumersindo Lasam, posthumous (Dept. of Agriculture, Cagayan); Leandro Lacsamana (Talavera Water District, Nueva Ecija); Maximo Tandang (UP Los Baños, Laguna); Persons with Disabilities Coordinating Offi ce (Municipal Government of Carmona, Cavite); Naga City PSEP Team (City Government of Naga, Camarines Sur); Raulito Datiles (Bgy.   Bagumbayan, Quezon City); Jesusa Antiquiera (Padre M. Gomez Elementary School, Manila); Nimfa Vilches (Supreme Court of the Philippines, Manila); and Eugene Patinglag (Adiwang Elementary School, Benguet).

The awardees were granted automatic promotion to the next higher position or equivalent salary increase, a plaque signed by Pres. Arroyo, cash bonus and other privileges.

The Pagasa award is granted to an individual or group for outstanding contributions that directly benefi t more than one department of the government.

The awardees are Victorio Palabay (Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, La Union); Michael Fariñas (City Government of Laoag, Ilocos Norte); Jovita Ayson (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Cagayan); Romeo Calara (Angeles City Water District, Pampanga); Macario Manicad, Jr. (Municipal Government of Plaridel,

Bulacan); ATI-International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (Agricultural Training Institute, Batangas); Camarines Norte Water District; Eduardo Guevarra and Rosario Silla (Dept. of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 6, Iloilo City); Luz Taposok (University of Southern Mindanao, North Cotabato); and Sandy Terania (Philippine Air Force, Pasay City). The awardees received a gilded medallion, a plaque with citation and other incentives.

The Dangal ng Bayan award is given to an individual for performance of extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior. The awardees are Estanislao Temblor (Naguilian Fire Station, La Union); Anunciacion Pagdilao (Municipal Government of Pinili, Ilocos Norte); Maxima Riola (City Government of Antipolo City); Alma Canama (UPLB, Laguna); Cesar Letada

(Bureau of Internal Revenue, Legaspi City); Lourdes Banzuelo (Iloilo City Police Officer); San Ubaldo Esteban (Bureau of Fire Protection, Kalinga); and Lilibeth Martin (Provincial Government of Abra).

The awardees were chosen by respected personalities from the public and private sector. The awarding of the Outstanding Public Servants of 2009 highlighted the monthlong activities of the 109th anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service this month.