On February 26, 2024, at the Oakridge Pavilion in Mandaue City, Cebu, outstanding staff and partners of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 7 were honored through the PRAISE and PaNata ko Sa Bayan Awards.

The Field Office gave various awards to honor the staff, partner local government units, media, non-government organizations, and individuals for their invaluable contributions to fulfilling the department’s mandate.

The awards ceremony is the regional culmination of the 73rd anniversary of DSWD, which bears the theme “DSWD Angels in Red Vests: Empathy in Action, Integrity in Service, Unity in Community.” It is a fitting tribute to the unwavering dedication of the agency personnel, who are always ready to lend a compassionate helping hand to society’s poor and vulnerable sectors.

Undersecretary Adonis P. Sulit for Policy and Plans graced the event and delivered the keynote message of Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

 In his message, the Secretary said DSWD-7 has efficiently and effectively carried out the mandate of the Department to provide Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo to our ‘kababayans’ with a touch of extra care and extra love from our Angels in Red Vests, here in the field office.

Through the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Awards and Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon Sa Bayan or the PANATA awards, DSWD honored individuals and groups who embodied values and principles as they implemented and supported the programs and services. Award categories included individuals, groups, citation, loyalty, and service awards.

Recipients for Individual Awards were Leonila D. Adobo, Best Houseparent; Ed Sherwin S. Patalinghug, Best Administrative Staff; Aneni C. Codilla, Best Technical Staff; Marhadzda B. Tudtud, Best Technical Social Worker; Dyna Mae B. Zerna, Best Community-Based Social Worker; Lovelle M. Suarez, Best Center-Based Social Worker; and Graeme Ferdinand D. Armecin, Best Center Head.

DSWD 7 conferred the Group Awards to the Home for Girls—Best Center; General Services Section—Best Support Office; and Cebu City Action Team—Best Convergence Action Team.

In her response message, 4Ps City Link Irene A. Salazar of the Cebu City Action Team said the award symbolizes their hard work, commitment, and loyalty to the agency. “Every time we go out on the field, we bring a message that is always in our pocket: complete staff work. That is our guide to serving the people better. And this award is proof we have completed the task and nailed it,” she added.

The following received the special citation awards per category:

Kaisa Para sa Kapayapaan Awards: Daisy C. Lor, Emma F. Patalinghug, Jiah L. Sayson, Karl Vladimir C. Arbon, Ma. Romilene C. Padilla, Maria Rosana D. Coritico, Maricel P. Madamba, Rosemarie S. Salazar, Vina Mae G. Coldera, and Xhelxea Francesca A. Lerios.

Kawaning may Katangi-tanging Puso sa Paglilingkod Awards: Catalino M. Galve, Corazon F. Sarmago, Dioscoro C. Pancho, Emma F. Patalinghug, Flaviano C. Resurrecion Jr., Florita J. Simbajon, Mary Ann C. Pastedio, Ramcel Gaspar S. Mangila, Ramir P. Rivera, and Roman S. Bering Jr.

Pusong Maagap at Mapagkalinga Awards: Cebu Warehousing Unit; Pusong Magiting Award was given to the Municipal Action Team (MAT) in Pamplona, Negros Oriental; and the award for the Pusong May Malasakit sa Larangan ng Pampublikong Impormasyon went to the Social Marketing Unit.

Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero received the first ‘Angel in Red Vest’ award in the entire country, formerly known as the Gawad Kalihim Award. Secretary Rex Gatchalian changed it to recognize an individual who has shown extraordinary strides in implementing the department’s mandate.

DSWD 7 also recognized individuals who have satisfactorily completed a course or degree at their own expense through the Career and Self-Development Incentive under the Regional Awards, namely Brigieda T. Goron, Margie D. Pinton, Cherma Lynn M. Chavez, and Marhadzda B. Tudtud.

The following employees who have rendered 10, 15, 20, 30, and 35 years in service were Alberto G. Cuevas, Jr., Ananisa F. Aviso, Cecile P. Alegarbes, Cresente T. Vistal, Donald Rey L. Dejacto, Evaine Gladys L. Manzano, Henrietta E. Hora, Jesamen C. Ubal, Kerwin R. Macopia, and Lee Andro D. Estamo; Emerson M. Roma, Ligaya G. Dael, Lynn Mary P. Pino, Michael V. Solera, and Rosalind G. Sales; Leah T. Quintana and Hazel Dinah D. Miel; Aileen G. Cuevas and Charlie G. Egos; and Corazon F. Sarmago, Maria Rosana D. Coritico, Marilou O. Cortes, and Rosemarie S. Salazar, respectively.

The agency also gave the Service Awards for retirees to Arcadia P. Barlas, Artemia C. Degamo, Corazon F. Sarmago, Cresente T. Vistal, Emma E. Lavares, Esterlita B. Cabal, Marichu B. Monguez, Marilou O. Cortes, Nenita S. Gomez, and Rosita M. Ricardo.

The Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan (PaNata ko sa Bayan) Awards recognized the partners and stakeholders for contributing their resources, time, and selves in support of the department’s achievement of its vision and mission.

The PaNata ko sa Bayan awards have sub-awards.

Gawad Ulat Award: GMA-7 Regional TV-Most Supportive TV Station, DYMR Radyo Pilipinas Cebu-Most Supportive Radio Station, Cebu Daily News Digital-Most Supportive Online News, The Freeman-Most Supportive Newspaper (English), Superbalita-Most Supportive Newspaper (Cebuano), Carmel Loise M. Matus-Most Supportive Report for Broadcast, Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon-Most Supportive Report for Print, and Futch Anthony G. Inso-Most Supportive Reporter for Online.

Gawad sa Makabagong Teknolohiyang Panlipunan Award: City of Talisay Outpatient Rehabilitation and AfterCare Program, awarded the Best New Social Technology, and the Philippine National Police-Police Regional Office VII for the Gawad Serbisyo Award.

Under the Salamat Po Award, recognition went to development partners such as the World Food Programme, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philippines, Inc.; volunteer awardees included the International Holistic Engagement for Life and Program (I Help)-Best Volunteer Group; Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines-Most Outstanding Volunteer for DSWD Centers and Residential Care Facilities; and Mr. Isidro C. Tulisana, outstanding volunteer for KALAHI-CIDSS; and the Little Children of the Philippines, Inc., My Refuge House Ministry, Inc., Speech Language and Beyond Therapy, Inc., and the International Care Ministries Foundation, Inc., as Best Non-Government Organization awardees.

Local government units were also conferred recognition through the GAPAS Award, or the Gawad sa Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan. The following are the outstanding and model LGUs implementing the different programs of the Department: Tuburan (Cebu), Candijay (Bohol), and the City of Guihulngan (Negros Oriental) for Sustainable Livelihood Microenterprise Development; Anda (Bohol) for KALAHI-CIDSS; Dumaguete City (Negros Oriental) for Day Care Services; Pamplona (Negros Oriental) for having the Good Convergence Initiative; and Liloan (Cebu) for Protective Programs and Services.

Mantayupan Working Women’s Association in Barili and the ERPAT Federation of Talisay City (Cebu) received the Best People’s Organization award.

David Jo, Head of Partnerships, Communications, and Reporting of the World Food Programme, received the award for the WFP. “You invited us to this event to thank us. But we want to thank you for closely working with us and the development partners. Thank you for always welcoming us and accommodating our requests, even when circumstances are difficult,” he shared in their response message.

Other local government units, government agencies, and non-government organizations that are regional nominees for the PaNata ko sa Bayan also received a special citation and plaque of recognition. ###

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