September 23, 2024 (Quezon City) — In celebration of the 124th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, the Department of National Defense (DND) recognized individuals across its bureaus for the 2024 DND-wide Exemplary Supervisors and Employees awards on Monday at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Commissioned Officers’ Country in Camp Aguinaldo.

Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., together with Dir. Fe Lacaba, Head of the DND-CSC Field Office and Dir. Arsenio R. Andolong, Offer-In-Charge, Office of Human Resource, led the awarding ceremony and conferred awards to six exemplary supervisors and six exemplary employees from various DND-wide offices, including the AFP, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), Government Arsenal (GA), and Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC). These individuals were recognized for their dedication, leadership, and contributions to the Department’s mission of safeguarding national security and public service.

Feted were Ms. Joan S. Marabut and Engr. Jenie Lynn B. Fuentes from the DND Proper; Mr. Joas Karl V. Cruz and Engr. Ruel P. Lizaso from the AFP; Ms. Maria Eloisa S. Santelices and Ms. Sonia Grace P. Asuncion from PVAO; Ms. Gee Lyn M. Basa and Ms. Zenaida A. Taccaban from NDCP; Mr. Giovanni T. Cortez and Mr. Luisito V. Haciñas from GA; and, Dr. Karl Marvin M. Tan and Ms. Althea D. Galvan, PMT from VMMC.

In his message, the Secretary lauded the awardees for their well-deserved recognition, emphasizing their dedication and hard work are critical to the continued progress and efficiency within the organization. He also expressed his appreciation for the strides made in improving the physical work environment in the Department, including better office space and ergonomic upgrades, while acknowledging that much remains to be done in terms of creating a more sustainable and agile workforce.

Highlighting the unique challenges faced by the DND, Secretary Teodoro noted that existing regulations and constraints hinder the organization’s ability to fully carry out its mission.

“Working under the current legal environment is not doing us any good. We need to create an agile, evolving, and operationally secure organization,” the Secretary stated.

He further emphasized the importance of fostering a workforce equipped not just with academic qualifications, but with practical expertise, particularly in critical fields like cybersecurity.

The Defense Chief also urged cooperation from the CSC and members of the constitutional regulation, recognizing that changes in policy and legislation are essential to support the mission of the Department. He called for a reevaluation of Civil Service rules, particularly to accommodate the evolving nature of national security threats and the specialized skill sets needed to address them.

Secretary Teodoro emphasized his commitment to rewarding employees within the bounds of the law, while stressing the need for heightened performance standards.

“I will be also unstinting for the benefits of our family, for you, especially. However, I will be demanding more of performance and accuracy, because that is my job, as a mentor, for everyone. And in the same standard I put on everyone, I put on myself,” he reiterated.

With the theme, “Transforming Public Service in the Next Decade: Honing Agile and Future-ready Servant-heroes”, the program concluded with the Secretary leading the attendees in a special oath, specific for the members of the DND. The oath is reflective of the Department’s mission to protect the nation against all threats while upholding the DND’s values.

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