BAYAWAN AQUACULTURE TEAM
Agricultural Center Chief II Faith A. Napigkit (team leader),
Administrative Aides I Ricky G. Abayon,
Rolly H. Alson, Jr., and Ronaldo T. Rusiana
City Government of Bayawan
Bayawan City, Negros Oriental

For the immense impact of the Team’s initiatives in food security, poverty alleviation, strengthened economic activities thru aquaculture, environmental sustainability, and women empowerment in Negros Oriental. The team converted the Danapa Inland Aquaculture Facility into an income-generating venture which produces tilapia fry and fingerlings to supply fish not only in Bayawan City but also in neighboring municipalities and provinces in the Visayas. The first LGU-owned and operated integrated fish production facility now serves as a benchmarking and learning site as well as an aquatourism destination.

CARRAGEENAN PLANT GROWTH PROMOTER TEAM
Chief Science Research Specialist Lucille V. Abad (team leader),
Senior Science Research Specialist Fernando B. Aurigue,
Science Research Analysts Patrick Jay E. Cabalar and
Engr. Francis Cyril C. Valdez, and
University Researcher IV Gil L. Magsino
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
Department of Science and Technology
Diliman, Quezon City

For the Team’s breakthrough discovery of the Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter (CPGP) formulation and the development of the technology to produce it on a commercial scale. Extracted from seaweed, the CPGP can increase crop yield by 15-20% and improve crop resistance to adverse weather conditions, translating to additional income for Filipino rice farmers. The team worked for its use in other crops like mungbean, peanuts, sugarcane, rootcrops and leafy vegetables, reducing farm use of chemicals, promoting biodiversity and boosting the government’s food sufficiency and agricultural productivity programs.

NATIONAL RETAIL PAYMENT SYSTEM CORE TEAM
Deputy Director Jay M. Dizon (team leader),
Bank Officers V Anna Lissa T. Racines and
Atty. Bridget Rose M. Mesina-Romero, and
Bank Officer IV German S. Constantino, Jr.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Malate, Manila

For the implementation of the National Retail Payment System (NRPS), widely recognized as a gamechanger because of its benefits to the country’s financial ecosystem. The NRPS framework allowed interoperability of all payment systems resulting to better services for consumers. It spurred the use of payment platforms such as PESONet and InstaPay which hastened migration to online payments and provided wider financial inclusion for its digital-enabled system. Its impact was most felt during the pandemic when, given restrictions in mobility and observance of health protocols, people were able to rely on online banking and digital money transfer transactions.

JESUS CATIGAN INSILADA
Principal I
Caninguan National High School
Department of Education
Lambunao, Iloilo

For his display of utmost respect for diversity in the establishment of a culture-based and inclusive education system, integrating the beliefs, practices, and spirituality of indigenous people (IP) in the school’s lessons and teachings. He initiated various activities to mainstream awareness of Panay Bukidnon IP culture in the school through films, painting, and literature. His Pagdungaw Program addressed the problem of high dropout rate among IP students by involving parents and guardians in monitoring student attendance and performance.

GERARD MARTA LAVADIA
Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer IV
City Government of Tagbilaran
Tagbilaran City, Bohol

For his innovativeness in implementing disaster risk reduction and management programs. He designed and carried out Gawad Kalasag and the Communication Line for Emergency Alarm and Response System (CLEAR), an interactive, automated, and integrated early warning system. CLEAR boasts of reinforced emergency responder capabilities, modernized equipment, and updated geological and hazard maps for all kinds of emergency situations such as earthquakes, storm surges, landslides, and tsunamis. It is able to provide the City DRRMO Operations Center with live feed of street situation, criminal incidents, and other emergencies.

END HUNGER PROGRAM TEAM
Provincial Government Department Heads Virgilia S. Allones (team leader) and Arceli A. Timogtimog, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Arturo T. Uy, and Private Secretary II Mark Vincent B. Tenio
Provincial Government of Davao de Oro
Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro

For the implementation of the National Retail Payment System (NRPS), widely recognized as a gamechanger because of its benefits to the country’s financial ecosystem. The NRPS framework allowed interoperability of all payment systems resulting to better services for consumers. It spurred the use of payment platforms such as PESONet and InstaPay which hastened migration to online payments and provided wider financial inclusion for its digital-enabled system. Its impact was most felt during the pandemic when, given restrictions in mobility and observance of health protocols, people were able to rely on online banking and digital money transfer transactions.

MEDICAL SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT
Social Welfare Officer IV Nora B. Mangusan (team leader) and Social Welfare Officers III Lorna M. Bagawi, Apryl Gretchen P. Cofin,
Lina W. Pascaden and Rhea S. Tabor
Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center
Baguio City

For his display of utmost respect for diversity in the establishment of a culture-based and inclusive education system, integrating the beliefs, practices, and spirituality of indigenous people (IP) in the school’s lessons and teachings. He initiated various activities to mainstream awareness of Panay Bukidnon IP culture in the school through films, painting, and literature. His Pagdungaw Program addressed the problem of high dropout rate among IP students by involving parents and guardians in monitoring student attendance and performance.

Dr. ELIZABETH JARAVATA BATINO
Medical Specialist III
Head, Women and Children Protection Unit
Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center
Baguio City

For creating a safe haven for women and children victims of violence and abuse, one that provides essential bio-medical, psychosocial, and legal assistance to facilitate recovery from trauma and stigma. Her resourcefulness has enabled the WCPU to render comprehensive services which include 24/7 availability of medical social welfare assistance, rape kit, and a full-time detail of a police officer. She introduced improvements in the practice of chain of custody by the standardization of protocols and policy development toward efficient processing, packing, storage, and turnover of evidences essential in the prosecution of cases filed in court.

JEREMY ATUN CRUZ
Principal III
Pagasa National High School
Department of Education
Rawis, Legazpi City

For his innovative approaches in inculcating appreciation on the importance of education not only to students and parents but the entire community. Initiatives such as LAB sa Barangay (Libro at Iba Pang Babasahin) established community libraries; Helping Less Privileged Students or HELPS gave allowances to identified students belonging to the poorest of the poor; and Bike Mo, Pag-asa Ko provided bicycles to students so that transportation will no longer be an excuse for not going to school. These efforts reflect his commitment to serve not only within the confines of the school but to society as well.

DINA ENTENDEZ DIAZ
Day Care Worker
Canlanipa Day Care Center
City Government of Surigao
Surigao del Norte

For her commitment to public interest as demonstrated in her efforts to showcase the Canlanipa Model Child Development Center as a model of community and stakeholder engagement. She worked for the accreditation and recognition of the Canlanipa as an ideal early childhood learning hub, the only child development center to have been recognized as a model in Surigao City’s 92 barangays. This distinction is a testament of the exemplary quality of early childhood education it provides mainly due to her initiatives.

JEFFREY GALERA DIMAILIG
Teacher I
Mate Elementary School
Department of Education
Tayabas City, Quezon

For his commitment to service, welcoming assignments to far-flung areas to perform his task as a teacher. He had to cross four rivers and trek for seven hours to reach his first school assignment, Busal Elementary School (BES). In BES, he crafted and carried out a needs-based curriculum to provide customized learning and address communication difficulties. Given the positive outcome, he implemented this strategy to his next school assignments which were marked with improved literacy rates and reduced drop-out rates. He devotes weekends to community outreach activities that include feeding programs and teaching of out-of-school youth.

EDGAR TOLENTINO ELAGO
Master Teacher I
Jagupit National High School
Department of Education
Santiago, Agusan del Norte

For his creativity and innovativeness in creating an engaging, interactive and supportive learning environment for the Mamanwa and Manobo tribes. He introduced a culture-based approach in the implementation of Project Scholar which helped students finish school; Project ADAMMS which provided Mamanwa and Manobo learners their basic school needs; Project Cooltura Plus which helped preserve and gain respect for local culture; and Project Native Smile which fed malnourished children. These initiatives provided members of the Indigenous People equal opportunity to advance themselves thru proper education.

GREGORIO APUES LEGAL
Principal I
Mary Perpetua E. Brioso National High School
Department of Education
Masbate City, Masbate

For his display of commitment, responsiveness, sincerity and professionalism which inspired people to be more supportive and proactive of efforts to improve the community. His credo that nation-building is the business of every Filipino spurred him to ensure quality education for students of Mary Perpetua E. Brioso National High School. Lack of resources did not deter him from his goal thus he initiated the Shared Accountability and Governance in Education (SAGE) where he partnered with stakeholders to implement projects most notable of which were the School Electrification Program, Learners Access to Programs in School, Krusada Eskuwela, and Learners Attainment of Standards.

BENITO RONATO ONG
Administrative Aide IV
Commission on Audit
Diliman, Quezon City

For his responsiveness and dedication, rendering services even during work suspensions, calamities and public health emergencies. He has earned the moniker ‘Ben Enabler” showing how he dedicates his time and technical expertise to his varied tasks. He put into place a cost-effective means of communication among offices through Voice over Internet Protocol which generated more than P500,000 worth of savings from long distance calls. His designation in 2018 as the head of the Project Management Team responsible for the installation of networks and switches in the COA Central and Regional Offices even if he does not hold a supervisory post manifests the trust reposed on him by his superiors and co-workers.

DENNIS LLANES SUERO
Administrative Aide I
School Division Office – Vigan City
Department of Education
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

For his commitment to service, performing various tasks with equal dedication. A jack-ofall-trades, his exemplary contributions in a broad range of areas reflect the value he places on his work and on being of service to his superiors and co-workers - providing dental services, technical work, carpentry, electrical work, procurement, and machine operation. The first to clock in and the last to log out of the Vigan City Division Office, he volunteers to do repair work completed through self-learning.