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2010presidential lingkod

bayan awardees

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thomas g. aquino

The Philippine hilotshealing touch as an

alternative healing practice has conqueredthe international market and the countrys

national sh bangus has swam its way to sh stores

in Germany due to the tireless efforts of Trade and

Industry ofcial Thomas G. Aquino. Undersecretary

Aquino championed small and medium enterprises

(SMEs) and helped them gain a foothold in the global

economic scene.

Via the implementation of export promotion

and marketing activities, he helped bridge the gap

for SMEs who wanted to conquer the world market.

He pushed for the extension of technical assistance

to local manufacturers in the areas of product design

and development. The support extended to the lo-

cal manufacturers signicantly raised their ghting

chance in catching the eye of international buyers.

As trade undersecretary, he also worked

towards educating exporters on compliance with the

technical standards of international trade includ-

ing the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points

(HACCP) so that they can be given access even to

the most exacting markets in the European Union. As

chair of the Export Development Council Executive

Committee, he proposed and advocated the enact-

Senior Undersecretary

International Trade Group (ITG)

Department of Trade and Industry

Makati City

ment of policies and programs to assist the local

exporting community.

Furthermore, he spearheaded the implemen-

tation of the Industry Clustering Program, a strategy

geared towards the development of livelihood activi-

ties in the countryside. He was in the forefront of

the campaign to cascade the program in the various

provinces. With the industry clustering, there is now

a focused approach in investment promotion, and

networking among local enterprises, buyers, input

providers, local policy makers, the academe, research

institutions, transport and hauling providers and

other stakeholders in the industry.

Undersecretary Aquino explored a host of

avenues to support local manufacturers. He con-

tinuously worked on policies and measures that will

protect Philippine industries from the hurtful dumping

of imports. He handled the evaluation and review of

the Initiation and Preliminary Determination of Trade

Remedy Committee and came up with recommenda-

tions on import dumping cases. His efforts resulted

in the imposition of anti-dumping and safeguard mea-

sures, and the levying of duties on imported products

that threaten our local industries. This advocacy not

only ensured jobs but promoted quality products forFilipino consumers.

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teodosia s. bernaldez

Inan article in a leading nationwide broadsheet,

foreigners were quoted comparing a local river tour

with that of the Rhine river cruise in Paris, and the

canals tour in Amsterdam. The writer was actually

talking about the Loboc River tour, now a main tourist

attraction in Bohol. The cruise was part of the plan to

develop the Loboc Tourism Complex into an excep-

tional tourist spot.

Behind these efforts is Engineer Teodosia

Bernaldez, head of the Municipal Tourism Ofce who

spearheaded the development project from its

conceptualization, feasibility study, defense, planning,

funding and implementation despite criticisms and

obstacles.

Bearing total customer satisfaction in mind,

Bernaldez ensured that local and foreign tourists

were assisted by trained boat operators and crew

members, made the complex Wi-Fi enabled, and pro-

vided free rides for senior citizens. Upon its comple-

tion, the complex became an income and job gen-

erating hub promoting local culture, preserving the

environment and maximizing natural resources. The

site now has an orderly parking lot, helpful directional

signage, friendly guides, and clean toilets. The tour

also includes performances from the Loboc Youth

Ambassadors and the Loboc Childrens Choir, which

garnered awards here and abroad. Foreign and local

tourists have been ocking to the site to experience

the relaxing boat ride, taste fresh seafood in the oat-

ing restaurant, and enjoy the pollution-free environ-

ment. The inux of tourists also helped achieve a

P21.5 million tourism income in 2009.

Engineer Bernaldez bases her decisions

on what is best not only for the tourists but for the

residents as well, says Loboc Municipal Mayor Leon

Calipusan. She thinks and acts in terms of the entirecustomer experience and continuously seeks ways to

improve all parts of the experience. She has the abil-

ity to implement change in the organization.

Indeed, in thinking of customer satisfaction,

Engineer Bernaldez went the extra mile to make not

only Bohol a top tourist destination but the Philip-

pines as well.

Municipal Civil Registrar

Loboc, Bohol

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salvador s. buenaobra,jr.

Sometime in 2005, a plane had to leave Tugueg-

arao Airport for Manila in the middle of the night.

But how can it when the airstrip is pitch dark?

To help the plane take off, a set of portable runway

lights had to be hauled from Sangley Point in Cavite

and installed along the airstrip. The passenger of the

plane was President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. And the

man behind the clever runway lights? A humble soldier

named Technical Sergeant Salvador S. Buenaob0ra Jr.

In reality, only international airports in the

country have adequate runway lights to allow takeoffs

at night. Even the Philippine Air Force (PAF) suffers from

such lack of equipment so some air bases are forced to

postpone important missions after sunset.

But Buenaobra turned things around when he

developed the Portable Runway Lighting System. Made

out of old tire rims, aluminum scraps, motorcycle bat-

teries and ordinary light bulbs, Buenaobras design is

relatively simple and low-cost yet so effective that the

PAF decided to replicate and use it in other air bases

in the country. Now with an alternative to commercially

available equipment, the government is able to save

P40 million pesos for every air base using the portable

runway lighting system.

His innovation is especially useful to the PAF

team at Sangley Point. Being a low-lying coastal area,

Sangley Point is prone to ooding which makes it impos-

sible to lay electrical wiring on the airstrip and to install

permanent runway lights. Thanks to Buenaobra, the

Communication Electronics Information Systems (CEIS) Technician/

Non-Commissioned Ofcer-in-Charge of the CEIS Ofce

15th Strike Wing, Philippine Air Force

Sangley Point, Cavite

said air base makes use of 91 pieces of portable runway

lights that can be set up in as fast as 20 minutes when-

ever needed.

This awardees penchant for tinkering with scrap

materials came from his upbringing as the son of a

junk shop owner. After graduating from high school, he

pursued a vocational course on Industrial Electricity and

then enlisted in the PAF, where he continued to attend

seminars and trainings to hone his skills on electronics

and communications.

As communications supervisor, Buenaobra was

also responsible for integrating a dual band amateur

handheld radio into the MD-520MG attack helicopter, a

pioneering idea in the PAF. The handheld radio serves

as back-up for the existing radio installed into the air-

craft, thus providing a reliable system to identify enemy

targets for strike missions and to contact any agency in

emergency situations.

Buenaobra sees his job as communications

supervisor as a very tough one. Military information is

very valuable and it is my job to ensure that any sensi-

tive information passing through our communication

systems cant be breached. Im glad though that I was

entrusted this crucial responsibility, and that Im doing

well at it, he says.

With an exemplary PAF personnel like Buenao-

bra, there is no doubt that the countrys ying corps will

continue to soar to greater heights.

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lope c. dagoy

D

iscipline and diligence to duties and re-

sponsibilities are moral virtues essential

to every public servant, says Col. Lope

C. Dagoy, Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, G3,

Special Operations Command of the Philippine Army

(PA).

Then Commanding Ofcer of the 85th Infantry

Battalion, Col. Dagoy was instrumental in the sup-

pression of insurgency in Leyte. He introduced the

Center of Gravity (COG) approach which caused the

dissolution of the Communist Party of the Philippines

Northern Leyte Front (NLF). The COG was so success-

ful that a Handbook on the Approaches in Internal

Security Operations detailing Dagoys pacication ofthe NLF has been published for future adoption of his

methodology.

He also employed pulong-pulong or direct

engagement approach with local residents to forge

partnerships with the communities and promote

awareness on the dangers of insurgency.

The province began to experience develop-

ment potentials and better economic opportunities

which translated to jobs and livelihood for the de-

prived people in the province, he says of the impactof suppressing insurgency in the provinces.

He was also part of the Philippine National

Police-PA team that negotiated the surrender of high-

powered rearms by politicians and private armed

groups. The peace-keeping activities conducted

by the battalion under Col. Dagoys command also

ensured violence-free elections in Masbate in May

2010.

Col. Dagoy also led the 10th Philippine Con-

tingent in Haiti, conducting rescue operations at

the aftermath of the deadly earthquake that hit the

Caribbean country. He played a major role in the suc-

cessful repatriation of OFWs who were victims of the

disaster.

Col. Dagoy says he loves being given respon-

sibilities because it is where the real challenges of

soldiery are. An ofcer must be the exemplar in the

unit or command for all subordinates to emulate and

follow. Setting oneself as an example has always

been very effective in securing the inspiration and

cooperation of every subordinate to promote esprit

de corps in the unit, Col. Dagoy shares, adding that

I dream of a Philippine bureaucracy that is united

and collective in our efforts in addressing the security

problem of every community.

Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations

G3 Special Operationals Command

Philippine Army

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pablo y. laspril la,jr.

When you see mighty aircrafts as they

mark their way through the air, the

grease-stained man with the wrench

in his hand is the man who put them there. So goes

a famous poem about aircraft mechanics by an

anonymous author.

In the country, being an aircraft mechanic is a

remarkable yet often underrated profession. Do you

know that there are only 33 civilian aircraft mechan -

ics across the country employed in the Philippine Air

Force (PAF)?

One of them is Pablo Y. Lasprilla Jr. of the

410th Maintenance Wing of the PAF stationed at

Clark Air Base, Angeles City. Lasprilla is a top notch

specialist of the T53-L-13B and T53-L-703 series of

engines of Huey helicopters used in disaster relief

and mercy missions of the government. In other

words, he is the go-to person when you need those

Huey helicopters in tip-top shape before going out on

a mission.

Through Lasprillas expertise, the helicopter

eet is able to successfully perform its duties while

keeping the pilots and passengers safe up in the air.

Aside from that, the government is able to save more

than P34 million annually from outsourced labor.

Despite such a huge responsibility, Lasprilla

remains loyal to and is happy with his job. He could

have joined his fellow aircraft mechanics in Canada,

Qatar or Singapore where he could earn as much as

P150,000 per month a lot bigger compared to his

government paybut he prefers to stay in the Philip-

pines. Mas gusto ko rito para makatulong ako sa

mga kababayan natin, he quipped, adding,Ako

po ay naniniwala na mga Pilipino lang ang tunay na

makapagpapaunlad sa ating bansa.

Aircraft Mechanic II

410th Maintenance Wing

Philippine Air Force

Clark Air Base Air Command

Angeles City, Pampanga

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renato u. solidum, jr.

As Filipinos continue to be at the mercy of

destructive natural elements, being aware and

being prepared is the next best thing to do.

This is where the work of Dr. Renato Solidum comes in.

As head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and

Seismology (PHIVOLCS), he leads government efforts

to mitigate the effects of disasters caused by volcanic

eruptions, earthquakes and tsunami. PHIVOLCS predicts

where these disasters would take place and the extent

of possible damage, and issues forecasts and warnings

so that concerned agencies can undertake measures to

minimize harm to people and property.

PHIVOLCS has gone a long way in the area of di-

saster risk reduction and much of this can be attributed

to Dr. Solidums expertise, leadership and dedication. He

initiated and spearheaded a nationwide mapping pro-

gram that generated new information on tsunami-prone

areas. The program also made possible the compilation

of available historical tsunami information shown in

the form of hazard maps. These hazard maps are used

mostly by local government units in risk-sensitive devel-

opment planning and disaster preparedness.

PHIVOLCS has done such a good job under Dr.

Solidums helm that it has gained the support and con-

dence of international funding agencies. The assistance

provided by these organizations has enabled PHIVOLCS

to continually conduct monitoring and mapping of earth-

quake and volcano related hazards at little to no cost to

government. It has also helped the agency improve its

capability and equipment.

Dr. Solidums commitment to his work is unpar-

alleled. Through the encouragement of his professor,

former PHIVOLCS director Dr. Raymundo Punongbayan,

he entered the agency in 1984 starting as Science

Research Specialist I and since then has not left the

agency. He worked his way up, dogged and determined,

until he became director just like his mentor.

One may wonder how Dr. Solidum has achieved

this much success. He says though that there is no

elaborate formula to it. To do things effectively, you

must learn to engage and collaborate with your stake-

holders. You must also believe and be condent that the

planned or assigned task can be done. But to gain con-

dence, you must continue learning and allow yourself to

be guided and molded by your superiors, co-workers and

other people outside of the ofce.

He hopes that more public servants would be

inspired to achieve great things, just as he has done.

One can have a positive impact within and outside the

organization with the right attitude believing that you

can do something positive, committing to excellence,

persevering to pursue the right things even though chal-

lenges come your way, and depending on God to guide

your ways.

Director IV

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology

Diliman, Quezon City

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fe a. yap

For a country with 170 languages, spoken by

90 million inhabitants, spread across 7,107

islands, inuenced by various Western coloniz-

ers, it would not be unusual for its own people to nd

themselves lost in translation. Bridging this language

divide, which is also reective of the countrys own

cultural diversity, is a lifetime endeavor placed in the

hands of Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) Acting

Director General Fe Aldave Yap.

Dr. Yaps decades of experience in government

service has been dedicated to promoting the Filipino

language as a global language. She has produced

works that contributed to the ethnolinguistic heri-

tage of Filipinos. She has written translation books,dictionaries, linguistics map and research papers on

the Filipino language that beneted the academe.

Her proposals and papers presented in national and

international conferences garnered support from

language organizations and foreign language institu-

tions.

I love to help in implementing our strategic

language planning to bridge the linguistic and cultural

divide towards national unity and national identity

as Filipinos in the community of nations, she says.

Aside from the study of languages, Dr. Yap has

dedicated her life instilling the value of literature.

Because the Philippines is not a reading nation, as

Dr. Yap pointed out, reading literature should be

encouraged in the early years of basic education. She

spearheaded a project aimed at globalizing Philip-

pine childrens literature on the web and globalizing

national childrens literature through global Filipino

and Philippine English.

Dr. Yaps commitment manifests her compe-

tence and passion in the eld of research related to

the Filipino language. My work ethics has greatly

inuenced my philosophy of public life and served as

guiding principles of high moral standards governing

the appropriate code of conduct and behavior, posi-

tive thinking, right attitude and action towards excel-lence in government service, she says. Even if she

has to face challenges like lack of funds to support

her projects and proposals, she does not mind paying

for her travel expenses to attend international confer-

ences or waiving royalties for her work to be able to

donate the money to KWF and its future publications.

Her dedication should serve as a model to vanguards

of Philippine history and culture.

Change the culture of mediocrity to a cul-

ture of excellence with integrity, transparency and

accountability, says the champion of the Filipinolanguage and of public service.

Acting Director-General

Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino

San Miguel, Manila

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Regional Public Affairs Ofce

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Cordillera Administrative Region

Baguio City, Benguet

(Team Members: Abner Fe R. Villanueva, Gayle S. Astudillo, Ferdinand H. Corpuz,

Parisio S. Laluan and Perlita T. Nerja)

Like the two sides of a coin, education and

environmentalism became the two-pronged

strategy of DENR-CARs Trees for Books/Books

for Trees project. The said two components of the

project complement each other in principle and in

action. As the project encourages the solicitation and

exchange of books among schools, it also encourag-

es the planting of trees in school grounds. This way,

the project saves trees through the distribution and

use of recycled books.

This inventive and creative solution to press-ing educational and environmental concerns in the

Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) was spear-

headed by the Regional Public Affairs Ofce of the

DENR. While promoting both readership and environ-

mentalism among young students, the project also

empowered them through the spirit of knowledge

sharing and teamwork. More than 5,000 students

have beneted from the project, with more than

7,000 books donated and almost P2 million saved

from the acquisition of brand new books. Almost

5,000 assorted seedlings have also been planted by

the recipient schools, saving the government valu-

able money which would have been used for labor.

Through the project, a sense of community was

revitalized, and a renewed interest in knowledge and

reading was promoted.

The project addresses one of the major con-

cerns of the government solid waste management,

the team explains. It also reduced the volume of

garbage while expanding the population of trees.

The team also sees the project as a responseto climate change. Donors are encouraged to give

their books instead of throwing them away. The burn-

ing of paper emits toxic fumes which are disastrous

to the atmosphere. So why burn the trash when they

can be turned into cash?

The team values the projects sustainabil-

ity and replicability. They dont only have one-time

donors, but an expanding donor and recipient base

who now share the teams passion for learning and

environmental awareness.

treesfor books/books for trees projects

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Cellular phones may soon replace thesombaliloas

a must-have accessory of Filipino farmers after

a group of state workers from the Philippine Agri-

cultural College-Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture

(PAC-OPAPA) started what may be touted as an agricul-

tural revolution. Noting how hooked people are on short

messaging service (SMS), the team took advantage of

the texting mania to spread agritalk.

The countrys archipelagic terrain makes interper-

sonal communication costly, challenging various sectors,

including agriculture, to draw up schemes towardsfaster, cheaper, more accessible modes of communica-

tion. This situation prompted PAC-OPAPA to establish the

Farmers Text Center (FTC), using SMS to deliver practi-

cal and the latest information to farmers in the country.

Under the program, text agents were designated

to be on board and to provide prompt answers to texters

queries eight hours a day, Mondays to Fridays. FTC is

considered as a supplementary tool in the agriculture ex-

tension system in the Philippines. With the FTC, farmers

are now able to text their concerns thus reduce the cost

of extension efforts. FTC has also served as a platform

to connect rural farmers with agencies anywhere in the

country. Since the establishment of FTC, farmers have

begun enjoying a convenient way to get hold of technolo-

gies and knowledge that improve their livelihood. Farm

entrepreneurs, agricultural extension workers, coopera-

tives and agricultural traders can now condently apply

effective techniques in the production and application of

hybrid rice and corn seeds as they are backed by infor-

mation obtained via the FTC.

The FTC started off with only 11 messages when

it was launched in August 2004. FTC now receives

an average of over 2,000 messages a month. In its

six years of operation, FTC has already responded to

52,840 messages. Topics of the messages were not lim-

ited to rice production but covered queries on livestock,vegetables, and other high-value crops as well. The in-

creasing number of text messages reects the potential

of the technology in enhancing farmers and extension

workers access to advanced farming technologies de-

spite the distance barrier.

The fast and effective dissemination of need-

based agricultural information and technology transfer

via web-based advisories, online training, distance learn-

ing, and e-library has led to higher farm yield, improved

quality of harvest, decrease in the use of fertilizers and

pesticides, and immediate diagnosis and application of

solutions to farm problems. Evidently, the PAC-OPAPAs

Farmers Text Center is an innovation whose time has

come.

Information and Communication Technology Based Extension Services for the Agriculture Sector

Pampanga Agricultural College

Magalang, Pampanga

(Team Members: Virgilio DM. Gonzales, Rizza G. Baltazar, Rommel M. Basa, Nestor D. Bautista,

Romeo N. Guinto, Julieta M. Gumilets, Joel Q. Maliwat, Geraldine C. Sanchez)

pampanga agricultural college-openacademy for philippine agrilculture

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2010dangal ng bayan awardees

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kenneth a. bid-ing

Kenneth Bid-ing performs a dual function. He

is both the San Carlos City Jail warden and thelegal ofcer and paralegal of Region 1 and the

Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Legal Services

Division.

A lawyer by profession, Bid-ing has chosen the

not the usual path of jail management. He has made

it his mission to improve the lives of the San Carlos

City jail inmates by adhering to moral and ethical

standards.

As legal ofcer, Bid-ing made sure that laws on

abuse, harassment and ethical standards were prop-

erly implemented. He also offered free legal counsel-

ing, and made sure that the inmates were able to

avail of their right to suffrage.

Concurrent Legal Ofcer

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology

San Carlos City Jail

San Carlos City, Pangasinan

As jail warden, Bid-ing addressed problems

such as jail congestion, low literacy and lack of pro-

ductivity among inmates by getting more than P2 mil-

lion worth of assistance for educational and livelihood

programs, construction projects and social services.

These projects resulted to better jail facilities, includ-

ing a clean kitchen, additional visiting area, and a

private room for female inmates. These also boosted

the morale and quality of life of the inmates, making

them more productive than ever.

Through the innovative and practical solu-

tions offered by Bid-ing, San Carlos City jail became a

model of excellence for the criminal justice system.

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ernesto dr. doroteo

Ernesto Doroteo proved that lack of education

is not a hindrance to helping the disadvan-

taged.

A Dumagat, Doroteo is a witness to the deplor-

able living conditions of his fellow tribespeople who

get by without formal schooling, electricity or health

care assistance. Thus, it was no surprise that when

an opportunity came for him to work at the Antipolo

City Government, he took advantage of it so that

he could better serve the Dumagatcommunity. He

initiated literacy and livelihood programs so that the

tribespeople, especially the younger ones, can learn

to earn their own living. Doroteo also helped them ac-

quire land certicates proving their ownership of theancestral land inherited from their forefathers.

Doroteo was also instrumental in the establish-

ment of the Center for Indigenous People under the

Administrative Aide I

Center for Indigenous People

City Social Welfare Department

Antipolo City Government

Antipolo City, Rizal

Social Welfare Department of the Antipolo City Gov-

ernment. This is a remarkable feat because, for the

rst time in the history of the city, an ofce has been

set up whose only mandate is to look after the needs

and welfare of indigenous groups. Our tribespeople

seldom come to the city because they feel neglected

by the government. But since the Center [for Indig-

enous People] was established, we started to believe

that we are now being given priority in some aspects,

he said.

With that, Doroteo sees a brighter future, not

only for his fellowDumagatpeople but for the rest of

the indigenous populace in the country. I hope that

the government can see our need to obtain educationand to preserve our culture and traditions. My dream

is for the indigenous community to have a better

place in society, he said.

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benigno b. durana,jr.

F

rom 2005 to 2010, Police Senior Superintendent

Benigno Durana, Jr. found himself all over the place

literally. He was assigned to various posts includingchief of Cubao Police Station, chief of the Police Anti-Crime

and Emergency Response (PACER) for Metro Manila, chief

of the Change Management and Advocacy Unit of the

Philippine National Police (PNP) Program Management

Ofce, provincial director of Aklan Provincial Police Ofce,

deputy senior police adviser of the United Nations Observer

Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG), and most recently, senior

executive assistant to the PNP Chief.

When he commanded the Cubao Police Station, he

implemented a program dubbed Wow Cubao anchored

on three strategic thrusts: Super Bantay which harnessed

and mobilized community involvement in crime prevention

and good governance; Sagip Buhay which put the focus

of crime prevention and rehabilitation program on the

marginalized sector; and Seless Business which drew

business sectors support on crime management. Through

these programs, the Cubao Police Station made Cubao, one

of the busiest districts in Metro Manila, safe for residents,

businessmen and visitors and was adjudged Best Num -

bered Police Station of the entire National Capital Regional

Police Ofce (NCRPO).

When he led the Aklan Provincial Police Ofce, he

helped improve peace and order in Boracay through strict

law enforcement. The centralized port system called One

Entry/One Exit Policy has been in existence for more thana year but was never effectively implemented until Durana

took helm of Task Force Bantay Boracay. Through the said

policy, pump boats are no longer seen competing with tour-

ists and swimmers for space at the world-famous shore.

Also under his leadership, the No Helmet/No Travel Policy

in Aklan was strictly implemented such that the high inci-dence of fatalities and injuries due to motorcycle accidents

was drastically reduced. These, and many other innovations

and reforms introduced by Durana, have earned the Aklan

Provincial Police Ofce recognition as Best Police Provincial

Ofce in the whole of Western Visayas in 2009.

Durana was also instrumental to the PNP achieving

increased recognition and appreciation from the public. He

pioneered the Service Desk System that aims to improve

customer service in PNP frontline desks and ofces. This

later on provided the conceptual framework for the PNPs

Model Police Station Project under its nationwide Integrated

Transformation Program.

Because of his proven competence in introducing

reforms and capacity building for police institutions, he

became deputy senior police adviser of UNOMIG. His task

was to help reform and build the capacity of about 600

Georgian police ofcers, and in the process, showcase the

Filipino brand of global peacekeeping. In an article in the

Philippine Daily Inquirer, he says about his UN stint, This is

my opportunity to disappoint people who look down of Filipi-

nos Lets not be trapped in the mentality that I am just a

Filipino. So what if I have dark skin? I can deliver.

Indeed, Durana never ceased to render outstanding

performance in his various stints in and out of the country.He is a thinker, a reformist, a gem of the Philippine police

force and most importantly, a true public servant.

Senior Executive Assistant

Ofce of the Chief

Philippine National Police

Camp Crame, Quezon City

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trinidad s. gozun

G

overnment auditors are often perceived as fault-

nders. They usually bring to attention negative

observations found during audit procedures, alwayson the lookout for signs or manifestations of graft and cor-

rupt practices. It was against this backdrop that Trinidad S.

Gozun quietly but efciently performed her task as State

Auditor. Despite the negative perceptions, she continues to

look forward to the day that civil servants will realize that

mainly because of auditors vigilance, they are spared from

possible administrative or criminal liability.

Being an auditor however, requires more than vigi-

lance; courage is oftentimes the central ingredient in many

of the undertakings. In the case of Gozun, courage comple-

mented by integrity plus her belief that public service is a

public trust guided her as she worked in checking and iron-

ing out discrepancies involving government funds.

Her steadfastness in upholding the COAs ideal that

the interest of the country shall prevail led to the discovery

of fraud-tainted loan accounts of the Quedan and Rural

Credit Guarantee Corporation (QUEDANCOR) Regional Ofce

No. III and its district ofces. As the audit leader, Ms. Gozun

maintained her tenacity in substantiating the ndings of

irregularities in QUEDANCOR transactions amounting to

P449.7 million from 2003 to 2007. She diligently followed

through her investigations by issuing an Audit Observation

Memo that eventually led to the issuance of Notices of

Disallowance to those involved.

She was also instrumental in uncovering the irregu-lar and fraudulent acts of QUEDANCOR ofcials of granting

anomalous loans and procuring supplies from unqualied

bidders, in violation of the Government Procurement Law,

that have resulted in losses amounting to almost P1.7 bil-

lion.

Despite the harassment and threats to her life be-

cause of her ndings on QUEDANCOR, Ms. Gozun continued

her doggedness in fullling her audit duties leading still

to the uncovering of irregularities. This time, the anomaly

was in the procurement and distribution of fertilizer of the

National Food Authority (NFA) in Pampanga. Her ndings

prompted COAs Legal and Adjudication Ofce to create

audit teams nationwide to investigate the alleged anomaly

on certied seeds by NFA.

With all the challenges she experienced in her job,

Ms. Gozun still believes on having a bureaucracy that

would deliver prompt and effective service to the public, a

bureaucracy that civil servants can truly be proud of.

If there is a particular area that could be improved

upon, it would be on inculcating a higher sense of respon-

sibility and accountability among the members of the civil

service. There are a hundred of ways to improve ourselves

and in turn make changes in the bureaucracy such as

reporting for work on time, giving your 101 percent in doing

your job and exercising due diligence in managing public

funds.

Ms. Gozun considers being one of the 2010 Dangal

ng Bayanas the highlight of her career. Despite this acco-

lade, she believes that she remains what she used to be 37

years ago when she entered government servicea personwhose character is unquestioned and who will not let a

single centavo slip while she remains on guard of public

funds.

State Auditor IV

Commission on Audit Regional Ofce No. III

San Fernando, Pampanga

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

16/32

carmelita v. mendoza

I

believe that every simple and little thing mat-

ters, says Carmelita V. Mendoza, Administra-

tive Ofcer II of the Department of National

Defense (DND) Government Arsenal.

Simple, down to earth and hard-working, she

has performed her duties diligently like any ethical

civil servant should. Her 35 years in the government

is a record of honesty and commitment to public

service.

As part of her regular tasks, she withdraws

money from Land Bank of the Philippines for the pay-

ment of employees salaries. On one particular day,

she realized that the amount she got from the bankexceeded the actual amount she withdrew. She im-

mediately informed a bank ofcial about the mistake

and returned the cash amounting to P750,000.

This act of honesty has earned her the admira-

tion of bank ofcials, her superiors and colleagues.

But for Talits, as she is fondly called by her peers,

what she did was nothing grand.

In several instances in transacting business

with our servicing bank, I received cash more than

what I should get. And in those instances, I just simply

returned the excess cash to the bank teller discreetly,

not expecting any favor in return, she says of how

these instances are quite normal occurrences to her.

The incident which involved the P750,000

which I returned to the cashier was, again, done

very discreetly and without any fanfare. It was the

bank personnel who made it known to the media

later, she related. The said incident was reported in

broadsheets and newspapers. She received several

recognitions for her honesty in public service.

I am always inspired by the thought that in my

little way I am serving my country and people in the

best way I could. I wish that the story of my life and

career may somehow inspire other civil servants to

choose the righteous way of service, she says.

Administrative Ofcer II

Government Arsenal

Department of National Defense

Limay, Bataan

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

17/32

noel r. ponsaran

Call him Superintendent or Father, either way,

Noel Ponsaran does not see any conict be-

tween his two roles as both ultimately advocate

peace. This awardee wears two hats: one as police

superintendent and another as a regional chaplain.

Believing that there are no victors in war,

Police Superintendent Noel R. Ponsaran devoted him-

self to teaching the culture of peace to the people

of Southern Mindanao and the Autonomous Region

in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) so that they can look

forward to the day when peace is not a distant goal

but a reality to enjoy in the conict-ridden provinces.

For years, we have been using force to winthe war, without exploring the alternatives such as

looking at the root cause of the conict and mapping

a solution from there. What I am trying to convey to

the various communities in Southern Mindanao is

that violence is a crime, no matter how provoked you

are, or how justied your actions are, said Father

Ponsaran.

In his mission to reduce if not end the conicts

in Mindanao, he emphasized the role of the locals

in the campaign on conict transformation through

lectures that educate the residents of their role inachieving peace in their communities. The campaign

led residents to reveal information necessary in the

investigation of cases in the communities which then

resulted to the gradual neutralization of drugs and

illegal gambling. Other insurgency problems were also

addressed by the community through the establish-

ment of Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team.

He also played a fundamental role in resolv-

ing the conict between the Muslim and Christian

communities in Parang, Maguindanao through the

conduct of a dialogue with the elders of Teduray

tribe. Likewise, he was instrumental in settling a rido

or clan feud between the Imams and Macapeges of

Matanog, Maguindanao. The feud had caused sev-

eral killings in both clans throughout the years, andwas resolved through Father Ponsarans intervention.

For all his anti-war advocacy, Father Ponsaran

travels from one barangay to another, enduring long

hours of motorcycle ride and crossing rivers to be

able to listen to the concerns of the residents and

conduct workshop-seminars on conict transforma-

tion and the culture of peace.

Indeed, Father Ponsaran is an example that

the Philippines is not wanting of exemplary police

ofcers who dedicate their lives to serving the nationand its people.

Police Superintendent/Reagional Chaplain

Philippine National Police Regional Ofce XI

Catitipan, Davao City

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

18/32

amelia a. rayandayan

E

xcellence is my passion.

J/Supt. Amelia A. Rayandayan, Jail Warden of the

Manila City Jail Female Dormitory is someone fully dedi -

cated to public service, and passionate at that.

When the custody and supervision of female

inmates were separated from the males in March 2005, J/

Supt. Rayandayan took it upon herself the task of develop-

ing the city jail.

Anyone would picture a jail as a dirty, cramped

space where undesirables are imprisoned. This public

perception did not deter Rayandayan from according just

service even to this marginalized sector of society. Through

her resourcefulness and dedication, she was able to trans-

form the Manila City Jail Female Dormitory into a place that

is conducive to living.

Through solicitation from friends, local government

ofcials, non-government organizations and concerned

citizens, she was able to collect enough funds for the infra-

structure improvements of the city jail. The funds collected

nanced the construction of a concrete wall to separate the

male from the female inmates, main gate and additional toi-

lets. CCTV cameras, barb wires, emergency lights, a watch

tower and paging system were installed to heighten security

of the jail compound. The old barracks was transformed

into a female dorm that can house 300 inmates.

She sourced funds for the improvement of adminis-

trative services that include construction of a reception hall,

the setting up of a cooperative, renovation of the inrmary

and purchase of two computer units. She gave proper atten-

tion to the nutrition and health of the inmates, making sure

that they are provided economical yet nutritious food. Thekitchen was granted a sanitary permit and kitchen crews

were given health certicates.

Her passion to serve is unparalleled that she even

used her Pag-IBIG earnings for the purchase of ofce sup-

plies. She also lends her van for the transport of inmates

during hearings to avoid delays.

She works with justness and sincerity, assisting the

paralegal unit towards speedy disposition of cases. Under

her watch, torture, force, violence or threats to detainees

are prohibited.

Her seless acts of service boosted the morale of

the detainees and aided their rehabilitation. Detainees

enjoy their right to suffrage, access on ofcial records

pertaining to their cases, outreach programs for education,

livelihood and skills training and values formation.

She was awarded the Female Warden of the Year in

2009. Through her leadership, the Manila City Jail Female

Dormitory had been awarded Best Jail of the Year for

three consecutive years.

I am always delighted to manage people especially

the lowly ones who wanted to be transformed, she says.

A truly exemplary public servant is one who puts the

welfare of the people she serves above everything else, just

like J/Supt. Rayandayan.

Jail Superintendent/Jail Wardress

Manila City Jail Female Dormitory

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology

Sta. Cruz, Manila

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

19/32

geoffrey s. tilan

As a provincial administrator, Dr. Tilan is a

primus inter pares a rst among equals

who is also looked upon as authority. He was

able to balance being a leader and a team player,

which made him effective in steering the Provincial

Government of La Union into an honest, transparent

and red-tape-free agency. He led the ofce in ad-

dressing the needs of the province through effective

programs on peace and order, education and literacy,

employment, health, tax collection, tourism, and com-

munity development. His efforts spawned scholarship

programs, enhanced hospital assistance, improved

literacy rate, a computerized real property tax assess-

ment and billing system, and community outreach

programs, among others. As a result, the PGLU was

rated A, a Star Regional Performer, by the National

Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in terms of

the provinces productivity and quality level in 2008.

These outstanding achievements reect his

commitment to public interest. He knew it wouldnt

be an easy job, but he wholeheartedly performed his

role to uphold the quality of life of their constituents.

I learned that my public life is a splendid torch which

I get to hold only for a moment, he says. Therefore, I

want to make it burn as brightly as possible each day

before turning it over to my successor, when that time

comes.

Provincial Administrator

Provincial Government of La Union

Ofce of the Provincial Administrator

San Fernando City, La Union

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

20/32

2010civil service commission or

pagasa awardees

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

21/32

virgilio c. arias

This awardee has proven that a low man on

the totem pole can and should not be lim-

ited by his position to aim high and achieve

great things.

Because of his exceptional performance and

leadership skills, Virgilio Arias, then a casual worker

assigned as janitor at the Eastern Samar State

University, was designated head of Janitorial Ser-

vices. As such, he supervises a team of 13 utility

workers assigned to clean and maintain a sprawling

10-hectare property that includes ve academic

buildings, road networks, lawns, mini-parks and a

playground. Due to lack in manpower, Arias has to

ll the shoes of his staff and often nds himselfchecking roofs and operating hazardous equipment

to ensure that the university grounds remain condu-

cive for learning.

Arias and his team also helped in the repaint-

ing of four buildings within the university as part

of the Building Maintenance Project. Seeing that

the task had to be ready before graduation and the

repainters were pressed for time, he gladly obliged to

assist the Physical Plant Ofce even without added

remuneration.

Aside from literally cleaning up the school,

he also helped clean up the acts of tardy and loaf-

ing personnel when he proposed the installation of

a Biometric Attendance Monitoring System. At one

point, he was also assigned by the Vice President for

Academic Affairs to monitor the attendance of rank-

and-le employees and submit a report to manage-ment, a task well beyond his job description.

Administrative Aide III

Eastern Samar State University

Borongan City, Eastern Samar

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

22/32

randy d. canlas

N

either the partial hearing impairment nor the lack

of degree in software programming can deter Ran-

dy D. Canlas from serving as an inspiration to hisco-workers at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)

where he works as a Printing Machine Operator III.

With a Salary Grade of 9, Randy could very well con-

ne himself to his regular tasks of reproducing documents

or sending them thru fax or doing other sundry ofce work,

after all, these are his regular functions and doing them

well in the span of eight hours is all that the ofce requires

of him. Accomplishing these tasks creditably will already

earn him an S or a Satisfactory on his performance evalu-

ation.

But a rating of S is not acceptable for Randy as it

is second nature to him to step up to the plate and volun-

teer his services whenever and wherever they are needed.

At the Auxiliary Service Division of the SBMAs Ofce

Services Department (OSD) where he is assigned, Randy

gladly lls up the slack for his co-workers when they are on

leave or otherwise occupied with other assignments. He is

sometimes the receptionist, secretary, encoder, driver or

messengername it, and he willingly does it.

But his biggest contribution to the organization is in

sharing his acumen in the eld of Information Technology. It

should be pointed out though that Randy is not involved in

SBMAs Management Information System. Armed however

with an acumen in programming and the desire to improve

systems and procedures, he developed numerous computer

programs which have facilitated SBMA operations.

It started in 2003 when he observed the ofcesdifculty of organizing and tracking records and correspon-

dence, which have been steadily accumulating and taking

up lots of space. Randy then asked his supervisor if he can

try and come up with a software program that can solve theproblem. After a few months, the Ofce Document Track-

ing System (ODTS) was introduced in his division. ODTS is

a Windows-based application software that allows users

to access, retrieve and store data through point and click

capability.

By 2004, ODTS became fully operational and other

departments within the SBMA requested that the system be

installed in their work stations including that of the Ofce of

the Chairman and the Ofce of the Administrator and CEO.

Aside from the ODTS, Randy has consequently

developed other software programs to help in the monitor-

ing of businesses accredited by SBMA, automation of the

business registration system and the vehicle entry and exit

management. These programs generated SBMA an esti-

mated P3.8 Million in savings. He likewise volunteered his

services in developing the agencys website which helped

immensely in the maintenance of local and foreign invest-

ments in Subic and the promotion of economic and social

development in Central Luzon. The programs developed by

Randy are considered one-time expense for SBMA as he

also takes care of its maintenance and upgrade which has

saved the agency an additional P1.2 million.

Aside from developing software programs, Randy

also gives free Aikido Training, not just for SBMA employ -

ees, but for their dependents as well and for Subic Freeport

workers.

Truly, the contributions made by Randy are beyondsatisfactory, and should be rated with an Sfor superb.

Printing Machine Operator III

Ofce Services Department

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority

Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

23/32

nora d. de la paz

Social Welfare Ofcer Nora D. Dela Paz is a

forerunner of good governance, always up-

holding transparency and accountability in her

actions especially in nancial transactions.

As Chief of the Management Division of the

Department of Social Welfare and Development

(DSWD) Field Ofce (FO) I, she handles the general

services and nancial administration of her agency.

She enhanced and strengthened the work

process ow, systems and procedures with the use of

biometrics for attendance, streamlined procurement

of goods, imposed austerity measures on the use of

ofce telephones, and installed a system monitoringthe use of equipment outside DSWD FO I premises.

She also implemented a policy on the turnover of re-

sponsibilities, records, equipment and supplies from

outgoing to incoming staff of DSWD. Her initiatives

resulted to improved effectiveness and efciency in

the ofce as indicated by higher performance outputs

and optimum use of resources which generated sav-

ings for the FO.

When the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) was imple-

mented, she wasted no time carrying out its provi-

sions. As the focal person of the DSWD FO I CitizensCharter, she started the ball rolling and made the FO

one of the rst few agencies that complied with ARTA.

The ofce has also seen improved employee

morale as indicated in higher job satisfaction and

better interpersonal relationships. She spearheaded

the organization of an Employees Cooperative which

granted loans for rank-and-le employees. The Coop-

erative is of great help whenever personal nancial

emergency arises for employees.

Colleagues, family members and community

people have high regard of Chief Nora. There was

never an instance of a complaint on misuse of gov-

ernment resources under her responsibility. Believing

that government leaders should be the rst to demon-

strate zero corrupt practices in the government, she

strictly adheres to ethical leadership management. Ilearned that I can be as stubborn, resilient and strong

like a solid rock to defy institutionalized popular

practices and culture which are against the principles

of good governance integrity, transparency and ac-

countability, she says.

Strict and tactful, as described by her co-

workers, Chief Nora deals with staff rmly with the

sternness of a boss coupled with a loving concern of

a mentor.

Her piece of advice? Have the passion toalways learn and improve because in every situation

and event there will always be a new learning, says

the chief.

Social Welfare Ofcer V

Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Ofce I

San Fernando City, La Union

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

24/32

maria lourdes d. lim

For Director Lim, planning is the catalyst for

developing the Filipino nation. It has also been

her lifes work at NEDA, where she is involved

with a broad range of planning-related projects and

programs. As a trained economist and development

planner, she channeled her early dreams of becoming

a doctor into becoming a reliable diagnostic analyst

and solution provider. She exemplied proactive and

highly competent leadership in pushing for reforms

in peace and development, environmental manage-

ment, poverty alleviation, and gender and develop-

ment in Davao.

Her deep concern for the issues of Mindanao

are reected in her involvement with the Socio-Economic Reconstruction and Development of

Conict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (SERD-CAAM),

the Mindanao Strategic Development Framework

(MSDF) 2010-2020, the Davao Region Development

Agenda 2010-2020, and development projects for

the Mindanao River Basin, all geared towards poverty

alleviation, and peace and development. She was

able to implement these initiatives through participa-

tive and proactive planning, strategic investments

and promotion, resource mobilization, and results-

based monitoring and evaluation.

Director Lims passion for development plan-

ning comes from her experience growing up in a

cross-cultural and multi-religious setting in Cotabato

City. At an early age, she was already exposed to

the conicts and challenges spawned by clashing

ideologies. However, this also taught her to be a

well-rounded individual, and to cope with difcult

situations. I learned to respect other cultures and

faiths and to understand that being Filipino is to live

in cultural diversity, she says.

Her background and training came full circlewhen she served at NEDA. It is a conscious choice

to be a responsive, accessible, courteous and effec-

tive public servant. The people expect no less than

this behavioral norm in the government service. The

good news is that the Filipino psyche possesses

these innate positive values. It is a matter of train-

ing all of us in the civil service to rediscover these

values and practice these in the workplace and

community.

Regional Director

National Economic and Development Authority Regional Ofce XI

Bangkal, Davao City

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

25/32

ranny d. magno

W

hen a man becomes a reman, his

greatest act of bravery has been ac-

complished. What he does after that

is all in the line of work.

Forty-ve year-old Ranny D. Magno holds a

huge responsibility as Department Manager III of

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). He heads

the Fire Department of SBMA composed of more

than a hundred highly-trained reghters.

He has led the SBMA Fire Department in

emergency response, most of which are rescue ef-

forts to disasters that happened outside the Subic

Bay Freeport Zone. As a former member of the USNavy, he provides the institutional memory for the

Department and has been instrumental in cascading

the best practices of the former US military facility to

the Department.

Magno instilled in his reghters a deep sense

of pride in their duty as remen. His leadership by

example has boosted the morale of the brave lifesav-

ers of SBMA. Leadership entails teaching others to

establish individual abilities and team cooperation. It

means teaching the know-how and the know-why

of every job or operation and it means drilling until

there is complete understanding and retention, he

says of his participative and hands-on style in leading

the Department.

He was able to get the administrative sup-

port from SBMA to conduct free trainings on disaster

preparedness, quick emergency response and risk

mitigation, inviting schools and local government

units to form a community-based disaster response

mechanism.

The charismatic re chief acknowledges the

huge responsibility on hand. He says that his most

signicant learning in being a leader is patience.

Running seven re stations and 14 re trucks is notan easy task. You have to be resourceful and innova-

tive, and above all, patient, he explains.

Magnos bravery plus his leadership savvy has

led the SBMA Fire Department into becoming a well-

known re and rescue team. The teams rescue capa-

bilities and state-of-the-art equipment has earned the

reputation, trust and condence of the people.

Pag narinig na namin ang kakaibang tunog

ng retrucks ng SBMA Fire and Rescue, kampante na

ang mga tao, says one resident of SBMA.

Department Manager III

Fire Department

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority

Subic Bay Freeport Zone

Olongapo City, Zambales

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

26/32

arnel g. palabay

Despite the lure of higher pay and lucrative

benets offered by a prestigious computer

university in La Union, this civil servant chose

to stay in public service and eventually prove, in his

own way that the government is not wanting in men

who exemplify integrity and excellence.

Arnel G. Palabay has been consistent in deliv-

ering whatever is expected of him. It was no surprise

to his superiors and colleagues that he was able to

develop computer programs that enabled the Na-

tional Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)

Regional Ofce 1 to enhance the delivery of service to

their clients.

Arnel initiated the development, installation

and deployment of e-systems for NEDA such as the

e-library, supply inventory system, online report gen-

eration of NEDAs Management Team, online query

system of major development indicators, development

and management of the National Economic Research

and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC), and the

Ilocos Region Information Sharing Networkall of

which were instrumental in the achievement of pro-

ductivity and quality performance in the Ilocos region.

But his most notable contribution to the orga-nization was the development of the electronic Daily

Time Record System or the eDTR which paved the

way for the automation of the computation of person-

nel information. With the system, updating data on

available leave of absence, number or recorded tardi-

ness/undertime on a daily basis is now a breeze.

The automation of employee records also led

to the electronic payroll system that ensures accurate

information on salary and deductions that include

monthly amortization for loans and the terms of pay-

ment. After the obligation of the employee is complet-

ed, the system automatically deletes the record of the

loan so as to prevent overpayment. For the installa-

tion, deployment and continued upgrading and cus-

tomization of the eSystems, NEDA Region 1 was able

to generate savings of almost half a million pesos.

Arnel is also a recipient of NEDAs Humility and

Patience Award for exhibiting modesty and patience

in the delivery of his duties and responsibilities; stay-

ing calm and maintaining a normal tone of voice in

expressing his own ideas and suggestions.

He advises fellow state workers to always be

proud of their work. Things can indeed get tough in

public service. But instead of languishing, of using

these difculties as excuses for performing below par,

we can transform these setbacks into opportunities

for better serving our countrymen. We have to keepin mind though that the true mark of a public servant

is that of placing the countrys interest above ones

own.

Senior Economic Development Specialist

National Economic and Development Authority Regional Ofce I

San Fernando City, La Union

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

27/32

santos b. sunico

In a profession dominated by women, Santos B.

Sunico has managed to stand out and prove that

men also have what it takes to be an effective

social worker.

Sunico started as a Social Welfare Aide tasked

to open a DSWD ofce in Gonzaga, Cagayan. Even as

a one-man team, he was very visible and accessible

that soon after, the DSWD ofce gained reputation.

Because of his excellent performance, he was grant-

ed a scholarship in Social Work and had to transfer to

Tuguegarao. There he assumed multiple roles, push-

ing him to juggle his time between work and family.

After nishing his Social Work degree andpassing the board exams, he was promoted to Social

Worker and transferred to La-lo. He served as facilita-

tor, lecturer and trainer and represented the LGU in

various conferences and inter-agency meetings. Be-

cause of his impeccable leadership and dedication,

he was designated as Public Employment Service

Ofce Manager, Community Training and Employment

Coordinator, and One Town-One Product (OTOP) Point

Person.

The OTOP Program that Sunico was tasked to

implement paved the way for the municipality to dis-

cover the potential of the native lubeg fruit in creating

a protable wine industry. The success of OTOP led

him to replicate it at the barangay level. He helped

the locals form associations and encouraged them to

attend seminars and trainings. Thereafter, the locals

started earning from bee culture, vermiculture, cut

owers, noodle making and other livelihood activities.

With the help of Sunico, they were able to augment

their family income while those unemployed learned

to make a living.

Because of his outstanding contributions, he

garnered recognition from various groups such as the

Outstanding Public Service Award by the DSWD, Out-

standing Social Worker of the Philippines by the Phil-ippine Association of Social Workers, and Outstand-

ing Cagayano Award by the Provincial Government

of Cagayan. But for Sunico, the greatest afrmation

comes from the words of gratitude from the Lal-loans

whom he has helped.

They are the best form of recognition a public

servant like me can ever ask for. It is a welcome pat

on the back after all the hard work I put in and the

challenges I had to overcome, he says.

Social Welfare Ofcer I

Municipal Government of Lal-lo

Lal-lo, Cagayan

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

28/32

miriam p. ventura

Revenue Ofcer Yam Ventura considers

revenue collection a taxing job. That is why

she banks on grit and determination to get

the job done. Her innovative and skillful strategies

in collecting taxes dramatically improved tax collec-

tion in Region 3. She also took up the challenge of

reviewing every income tax return and withholding tax

forms, as well as personally talking to taxpayers about

proper and timely tax payment to avoid additional

fees. Through her thorough and persistent work, she

was able to close 214 cases of underpayment of

taxes from 2005-2010, resulting to a collection of

P625,489.31. Her performance has also been recog-

nized by professional organizations in Luzon.

Among her awards, she considers the CSC

Pag-asa a special one. I am happy for the honor

and prestige this award will bring my family and

the Bureau, considering that revenuers are seldom

recognized by award-giving bodies, she says. Many

are not aware of the challenges, work conditions and

pressures being experienced in collecting taxes for

the government.

Yam also shares that when she was a kid, her

dream was to become either a bank teller or a ight

attendant. Her current job ironically allowed her to

experience both, albeit guratively. As a collector, I

am accountable to the cash I collect from the taxpay-

ers, just like a teller. Now, I y high because of the

achievements and awards being bestowed upon me.

She continues to advocate tax collection while

changing the perspective of clients about taxes.They will realize that the taxes they are paying are

not a burden, but their share for the development of

the country. Thus, they are heroes, and are largely

responsible in running the government.

Revenue Ofcer III

Bureau of the Internal Revenue Regional Ofce III

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

29/32

How does it feel to uncover a shady government

project worth millions of public funds? All part

of a days work, so says the Commission on

Audit - Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corpora-

tion (COA-Quedancor) Audit Team.

In ensuring proper use of government resourc-

es, this distinct team of 16 government auditors need

not only be procient in their craft but also resource-

ful, patient, committed, and most importantly, honest.

The team never failed to demonstrate these qualities

when they audited the swine program of Quedancor,

in which they uncovered irregularities worth P1.7

billion in losses. Their audit report sparked a con -

troversy that led to a series of Senate inquiries and

prosecution of concerned Quedancor ofcials.

The road to the truth was never easy for the

team. We had to deal with two kinds of threats

threats to our lives and threats to our moral integrity

in the form of unimaginable amounts of bribe money.

In the end, our love for our country, faith in God and

commitment to the job got us through, said team

leader Nilda Blanco.

Despite these challenges, members of the

COA-Quedancor Audit Team are not thinking twice

about changing careers. The fact that our audit

report reached the Senate and was brought to the

attention of the public means that there is hope for

the government, said Director Aida Maria Talavera.

With an almost messianic attitude, they are content

to be in a job where they can uncover corruption and

be able to actually do something about it.

We see life as being part of a huge jigsaw puz-

zle. Each one of us is a puzzle piece that represents

the important part we play in the big picture, and just

like the pieces are interconnected, our roles are in-

terconnected too. If you do not do your part, how can

others do theirs? Director Talavera asserts.

Corporate Government Sector

Commission on Audit National Capital Regional Ofce

Quezon City

(Team Members: Nilda M. Blanco, Socorro Carlyn L. Amomonpon, Danilo C. Cabilog, Teresita A. Cagalitan, Floren-

da E. Caingat, Delia L. Eco, Cynthia L. Florida, Petra P. Maron, Wilma R. Medroso, Priscila Rowena A. Moreto, Lolita

M. Pedria, Dolores L. Perez, Elesa M. Pusta, Aida Maria A. Talavera, Jennifer C. Tinio and Edna A. Yalung)

commission on audit-quedan andrural credit guarantee corporationaudit team

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

30/32

The NFA was hurled into the spotlight

during the rice crisis in 2008. The NFA

Oriental Mindoro had to contend with the

same situation. Despite the difculty, however, the

agency delivered responsive and seless service

in ensuring the steady and quality supply of rice in

Mindoro. Through the hard work and sacrice of the

NFA Oriental Mindoro staff, a safe level of inventory

for food security and a buffer stock was provided for

the province. A total of 431,000 bags of rice worth

P379.6 million was obtained through the NFA PalayProcurement program, which beneted thousands

of farmers, farmer cooperatives, and residents. The

ofces judicious and efcient distribution of rice as-

sured enough supply even for the remotest areas in

the province where native communities reside, result-

ing in prompt delivery of rice in public schools and

day care centers all over the province. While earning

millions of pesos for the government, the team also

converted 13 hectares of idle lot into a productive

compound to further reinforce the supply of agricul-

tural products in the area.

Provincial Manager Jaime S. Hadlocon knows

that such a huge and crucial task would not have

been possible without teamwork. Teamwork counts

most in every endeavor, he says. The branch rec-

ognizes every effort shared by each member. Each

member though had to log more than the normal

hours to cover a wide distribution range. We do not

count every hour spent for work as long as the service

calls for it, Hadlocon explains. We are loyal and obe-

dient to the mission of the agency, which is to secure

the food requirement of every Filipino, and to work forthe stabilization of the price of rice.

The team has become a family throughout the

years. More than performing their function, they are

also dedicated to helping create a positive image of

the bureaucracy. They are also condent in achieving

more than what they have in the past, banking on

Hadlocons philosophy that together, we can hit the

mark.

Oriental Mindoro Provincial Ofce

Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro

(Team Members: Jaime S. Hadlocon, Teresita R. Abac, Alfredo P. Abilar, Lilibeth B. Agua, Felina C. Albo, Edwina A.

Bataluna, Teresita C.Canonicato, Remedios F. Castromero, Jenisa A. Cuasay, Nenelia A. Culla, Doreen P. Evangelis-

ta, Norma M. Harina, Estelita F. Hayag, Iluminado P. Igno, Rosie M. Igno, Asela P. Infantado, Editha M. Lebumfacil,

Rolando P. Lebumfacil, Rogelio B. Lumpas, Winston S. Manao, Rogelio F. Mendoza, Alberto O. Montiel, Maura C.

Morillo, Angelito J. Pacia, Danilo I. Pastrana, Menchie Lyn O. Roxas, Efren J. Sabong, Fernando I. Sanque, Alfonso

M. Santiana, Deogracias P. Sumira, Emmanuelita C. Sumira and Renato V. Yason)

national food authority oriental mindoro

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

31/32

Rehabilitating hundreds of hectares of idle land intoa sustainable area of productivity requires three

Ds discipline, daring and dedication. And these

were what the Tarlac College of Agriculture (TCA) - Agrofor-

estation Team demonstrated to bag the CSC Pagasa award.

They did not mind walking uphill for over four hours just to

reach planting sites or chipping in personal funds when-

ever the expected budget and supplies do not arrive or are

yet to be released by funding agencies.

The Agroforestration Program started in 2003 with

only three staff members from TCA initially in charge of its

implementation. They launched extensive information cam-

paigns within the campus on the effects of global warming

and importance of environmental protection. As a result,

other staff members expressed interest in helping out with

the program.

TCA initiated the Agroforestation Project to instill

awareness on the need to protect the environment and

promote biodiversity with the end-goal of transforming the

lives of the communities. Through the strategic rehabilita-

tion of forests and implementation of development mea-

sures that combined agriculture and forestry technologies,

more diverse, productive, protable, healthy and sustain-

able land-use systems were created. Together with the

local Department of Environment and Natural Resources

(DENR) ofce, the team initiated tree planting activities in a

275-hectare plantation and established a 60,000 seedling-

capacity nursery.The forest rehabilitation project helped improve

stream ow and watershed release. The micro watersheds

established in the TCA Forest Reservation currently sup-ports approximately 300 hectares of farmland in down-

stream communities. With the improvement in irrigation,

the ricelands in the town of Mayantoc enjoy three cropping

seasons a year.

The group solicited as well the support of farmer or-

ganizations, commercial irrigators, and other stakeholders

through environment awareness and protection campaigns.

To also help augment the residents income, TCA taught

them how to start and maintain a backyard farm and to

engage in bee keeping. Bayanihan and volunteerism among

the households and farmers organizations were strength-

ened as residents selessly provided free services in

protecting 665 hectares from grassres, forest res, illegal

logging and fuelwood gathering and wildlife protection.

Partnerships with various national government

agencies and government-owned and controlled corpora-

tions boosted the agroforestation project into further serv-

ing as a catalyst for economic activity and job generation.

Advocacy programs not only spurred renewed appreciation

and respect for nature but encouraged them to assume a

more active role in slowing down, if not reversing the effects

of climate change.

Asked on what drives the team, team leader Profes-

sor Max P. Guillermo says that the group draws inspiration

from what well known American author and critic Marya

Mannes when she warned humanity, saying that The earth

we abuse and the living things we kill will in the end taketheir revenge; for in exploiting their presence we are dimin-

ishing our future.

Tarlac College of Agriculture

Camiling, Tarlac

(Team Members: Max P. Guillermo, Edmund B. Baccay, Julius U. Basilio, Lady Fatima M. Bernal, Gerardo M.

Buraga, Ernesto DG. Carreon, Danilo P. Corpuz, Jon-Jon M. Dela Cruz, Novabina C. Eugenio, Francisco Q. Guingab,

Aristeo A. Hernandez, Hector T. Macaballug, Efren E. Pagatpatan and Amor T. Salvador)

tarlac college ofagricultureagroforestation project

7/25/2019 2010 CSC Awardee

32/32

Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the

success.

Such is the experience of the Amazing Sweet Sor-

ghum Team of the Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC) in

its commercialization of sweet sorghum as a viable crop.

Sweet sorghum, a variety of the crop plant sorghum,

is known to be a smart crop for its versatility it has a

wider range of adaptability, more rapid growth and higher

sugar accumulation and biomass production potential than

sugarcane. It can withstand hotter and drier temperatures,

making it resilient to climate change.

Realizing the potential of sweet sorghum, TheAmazing Sweet Sorghum: PACs Initiatives in Promoting and

Commercializing its Utilization as Human Food, Animal Feed

and Bio-Fuel started in 2005. Composed of specialists and

support staff, the team has done extensive research and

development activities for the use of sweet sorghum as an

alternative to human food, animal feed and bio-fuel source.

Food and fuel are major economic issues today,

and our project has provided sufcient information so that

in the near future, the government could use this gener-

ated knowledge and utilize this crop in addressing the food,

fuel and animal feed problems of this country, says team

leader Dr. Norman G. De Jesus.

The team was able to identify sweet sorghum

varieties suitable for seasonal conditions of Region III. They

proved that sweet sorghum can be used as alternative grain

where corn production is marginal, making it economically

benecial for grain and poultry producers.

The food technologists, the chemists and the engi-

neer of the team also developed various food and non-food

products from sweet sorghum. Among the many different

kinds of food that can be produced from sorghum are burg-

er sorghum, pastilles de sorghum, pop sorghum (sorghum

version of pop corn), sorghum porridge and sorghum yams.

Non-food products developed may be used as health care

products like body hair remover, soap, spa salt, body scrub

and liniment oil. They also developed a low-cost cooking

stove using ethanol made from sweet sorghum as fuel.

Because of the crops bright prospects, the teamwas able to obtain P2 million funding support from the

Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Agricultural Research,

Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural

Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) and Inter-

national Crops Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics

(ICRISAT).

The team believes that their project was very timely

and relevant given the current socio-economic needs.

We just did our best in this project and really never

expected this kind of award. To come up with a relevant

research was our primary concern, plus it was part of our

job to do things well. This reward is an absolute bonus, De

Jesus said.

Each team member had worked with joy, energy, en-

thusiasm and excitement to contribute in the development

Pampanga Agricultural College

Magalang, Pampanga

(Team Members: Norman G. De Jesus, Jocelyn D. Baluyut, Zosimo M. Battad, Rogelio D. Cosio, Rosalina H. Erese,

Rudy M. Gonzales, Warlina M. Guzman, Regina D. Loria, Nora P. Lucero, Emmanuel C. Pangilinan, Elena B.

Pineda, Lane M. Pineda, Rafael R. Rafael, Mila S. Sigua, Lyndon G. Solis and Estrella C. Zabala)

pampanga agricultural college-theamazing sweet sorghum