UP alumni from different government offices were recognized for their outstanding performance in and contribution to public service in the Outstanding Government Workers Awards Rites 2023 given by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on February 14, 2024 at Malacañang Palace.
The annual ceremony is divided into three categories: the CSC Pagasa Award, given to an individual or a group for their outstanding contribution/s resulting from an idea or performance that directly benefit more than one department; the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees (Dangal ng Bayan), conferred to an individual for performance of an extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior on the basis of observance of the eight norms provided under Republic Act No. 6713; and, the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, awarded to an individual or group comprised of five members for exceptional or extraordinary contributions resulting from an idea or performance that had nationwide impact on public interest, security and patrimony.
“Naway magsilbing inspirasyon ang ating mga pangangaralan upang mapagtanto ng lahat na ang serbisyo publiko ay hindi instrumento sa pagpapaunlad ng sarili kung hindi para sa kabutihan ng nakararami (May our awardees be an inspiration for everyone to realize that public service is not an instrument for self-development, as it is for the common good),” CSC Chairperson Karlos Nograles said in his opening remarks.
The first category called was the CSC Pagasa Award. Two UP alumni belonging to different teams were given the award as follows:
Senior Science Research Specialist Sheryl B. Narida-Napoco, member of the Food Processing and Innovation Center Davao (FPIC-Davao) of DOST XI in Davao City, for implementing 17 food innovation centers across the country by collaborative approach that supports competitiveness, and encourages startups and more students to pursue Food Technology; and,
Associate Professor I Rhuelyn Alimpolos-Ballaran, member of Palayamanan Project Team of Bulacan Agricultural State College in San Ildefonso, Bulacan “for pioneering a diversified integrated rice-based farming system, transferring the technology to more than 500 farmers mainly in Central Luzon”.
The next category was the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees (Dangal ng Bayan) Award. Head Teacher III Glenny E. Laping of the DepEd Lapu-Lapu Division Office in Lapu-Lapu City was the lone UP alumna among the ten awardees who received the award “for coming up with ingenious ways to stimulate interest in learning using gamification, digital exercises and a mobile application where students, parents and teachers can access learning modules even without internet connection resulting in improve academic performance”.
And the last category is the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, with five UP alumni conferred the award in this category. They are the following:
Professor III Julie Ann Acebuque Salido of Aklan State University in Bacan, Banga, Aklan, for her “creation of an Android mobile application Sea condition Emergency alert and warning apparatus for vessel safety or Seawaves”;
Medical Officer V Dr. Donnabel Lorenzana Tubera Panes, Team Leader of Baguio Lead Contact Tracing Team of the City Government of Baguio for the “team’s prompt, proactive and collaborative approach in the management of COVID-19 pandemic in the city of Baguio thru the creation of Baguio re-tooled contact tracing system that inspired other LGUs from Ilocos region to Zamboanga to follow suit”;
Senior Vice President Randolp Luib Montesa, Team Leader of the Landbank Agent Banking Program Team of the Landbank of the Philippines in Manila City, for “being at the forefront of promoting inclusive growth especially in the countryside thru the delivery of innovative products and services powered by digital banking platforms and supporting the government’s financial inclusion. Their initiative facilitated the opening of transaction accounts to 3.74 million previously unbank registrants from 60 provinces”; and,
Garry Tayona Balinon and Ryan Vilmor J. Dumpit, both members of the S-PaSS Core Team of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region VI in Iloilo City, for the group’s response to the urgent need for an accessible and efficient travel management system during the pandemic thru the development of Safe, Swift and Smart passage or SPASS. Piloted in Western Visayas, the SPASS was eventually implemented by the Department of Transportation in airports, seaports, and terminals nationwide.
Every individual and group received a gold gilded medallion crafted and sponsored by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, a presidential plaque, PhP200,000 cash reward for individuals and PhP100,000 cash reward for each member of the group awardees and an automatic promotion to the next higher position or equivalent salary increase.
References:
Award Rites for the Outstanding Government Workers of 2023 Video
https://www.csc.gov.ph/pbbm-awards-exceptional-government-workers
https://csc.gov.ph/programs/honor-awards-program/search-for-outstanding-government-workers
up alumni
Davao swimmer now a lawyer
Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan
On December 5, 2023, at noon in Davao City, Juan Antonio Mendoza, a swimmer from Davao City, couldn’t contain his anxiety, causing his hands to shake. Unaware of his hunger, he eagerly awaited news.
The Davao City swimmer’s unease vanished in an instant when a private message arrived from one of his University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) Law underclassmen who managed to access the Supreme Court website, shared the news that Antonio’s name was among the successful bar examinees.
In a burst of joy, Antonio shouted, joined by his father, Lionel, and brother Vince. His mother, Antoinette, couldn’t hold back tears. The Mendoza family’s living room transformed into a scene of pure celebration as Juan verified his name on the livestream.
“When I knew I passed, I felt so happy that I shouted and jumped. I couldn’t believe that I made it. I savored that moment of extreme happiness, and then I felt a sense of relief. I felt my worries go away and I just felt relief,” said Antonio, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Economics at the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao in 2019.
He dedicated his achievement to his grandfathers, who had always desired to have a lawyer in the family, and to his parents, who unwaveringly believed in his capabilities.
The preparation
The accomplished 24-year-old swimmer opted for a self-study approach in preparation for the Bar exam.
Juggling work commitments, he devised a daily routine, mindful of not overburdening himself with prolonged study sessions.
His schedule involved working in the morning, dedicating the afternoon to study, squeezing in a brief exercise session, and resuming his studies in the evening.
He grappled with mentally and emotionally readying himself in the days leading up to the Bar exam. The mounting nervousness became palpable as the exam approached.
He said, “Fortunately, I was able to sleep well, but I get really anxious during the day because I didn’t know what to expect, and I constantly doubted whether I was ready to take it or not. A huge help during the days leading up to the Bar exam was the support I received from my family, friends, and the Usep School of Law community.”
Acknowledging the constraints of his demanding schedule, he admitted that law school during the pandemic left little time for his passion for swimming.
Reading consumed much of his day, but whenever possible, he seized the opportunity to swim, allowing a brief respite from his rigorous routine.
Swimming
Swimming has been a significant aspect of Antonio’s life, having clinched gold medals in the 2018 Philippine National Games (PNG) in Cebu and the 2017 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (Scuaa) National Meet.
He said swimming was pivotal in benefiting him physically, mentally, and emotionally.
“Physically, swimming kept me fit and was a great stress reliever. Mentally and emotionally, swimming taught me that there are always good days and bad days, but every day is an opportunity to learn.”
He approached each day without expecting perfection, recognizing that setbacks were inevitable.
Whether facing exam failures or challenging recitations, Antonio embraced each experience as a chance to learn and continually improve. MLSA
Source: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/sports/davao-swimmer-now-a-lawyer