CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) – To promote morality, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, and courtesy in the civil service, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in Northern Mindanao urges individuals and organizations to submit applications for the Honor Awards Program (HAP) by March 31.

“HAP serves as an annual nationwide initiative to recognize and reward state officials and employees for their outstanding contributions to public service,” said Blondy Mutia, CSC-10 chief human resource specialist.

Historically, the mechanism for recognition has evolved, transitioning from the Employee Suggestion and Incentive Awards System (ESIAS) to the Program on Rewards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) in 2001. 

Through the Honor Awards Program, three distinct award categories are presented, including the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, which is conferred to an individual or group of individuals for exceptional or extraordinary contributions resulting from an idea or performance that had a nationwide impact on public interest, security, and patrimony. 

The contribution may be a suggestion, an innovation, or a superior accomplishment. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expertly crafts a gold-gilded medallion for the winners, who also receive a P200,000 cash prize and a presidential plaque with the President of the Philippines' citation and signature.

The Outstanding Public Officials and Employees, or Dangal ng Bayan Award, is conferred on an individual for performance of an extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior on the basis of the employee’s observation of the eight norms of conduct provided under Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. 

The winners will also receive a P200,000 cash prize and a trophy created by National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon V. Abueva.

The Civil Service Commission, or Pagasa Award, is conferred on an individual or group of individuals for outstanding contribution resulting from an idea or performance that directly benefits more than one department of the government, though not of such extraordinary or exceptional degree as to merit the Lingkod Bayan Award. 

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expertly crafts a gold-gilded medallion for the winners, who also receive a plaque with the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission's citation and signature and a P100,000 cash award.

In northern Mindanao, Ambrocio Cultura II, the president of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, was honored with the Pagasa Award on Feb. 14 at Malacañang in recognition of his outstanding contributions that have positively impacted various government departments.

“Dili tanan makasulod sa gobyerno, naay daghan eligible pero wala kasulod. It’s really a blessing nga nakasulod ta sa gobyerno. Mao nang ayuhon nato atong pagpanarbaho,” Mutia said.

[Not everyone can enter the government; many are eligible but do not get the chance. It's truly a blessing that we are part of the government. Let's improve our work.]

Government agencies are in charge of suggesting excellent individuals, and their human resource management offices handle the nominations. People, casual or job workers, and organizations outside the government can also suggest candidates for review by the committee, and if approved, the agency head endorses them. (PACR/KAPG/PIA-10)