Government agencies widely criticized for graft and bureaucratic red tape in the past have made great strides towards reformation and were honored by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for demonstrating public service excellence and for upholding the highest work and ethical standards.

At the recognition ceremonies marking the 109th anniversary of the Philippine civil service, Commissioner Marcelino Libanan of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and Revenue District Officer Maridur V. Rosario of Caloocan City received plaques citing the sterling performance of their respective agencies.

Also honored were semi-finalists in the Honors Award Program who made up the roster of Outstanding Servants of 2009 and will be conferred Lingkod Bayan (LB) and Pag-asa and Dangal ng Bayan Awards by President Arroyo at the Malacañang Palace on Thursday. Lingkod Bayan finalists are Eric E. Noble (Philippine National Police- Pangasinan); Gumersindo D. Lasam, posthumous (Department of Agriculture-Cagayan); Leandro Jun C. Lacsamana (Talavera Water District, Nueva Ecija); Maximo D. Tandang (University of the Philippines Los Baños [UPLB], Laguna); Persons with Disabilities Coordinating Office (Municipal Government of Carmona, Cavite); Naga City PSEP Team (City Government of Naga, Camarines Sur); Raulito R. Datiles (Barangay Bagumbayan, Quezon City); Jesusa M. Antiquiera (Padre M. Gomez Elementary School, Manila); Nimfa C. Vilches (Supreme Court of the Philippines, Manila); and Eugene B. Patinglag (Adiwang Elementary School, Benguet).

The CSC said Lasam would have realized his goal of food self-sufficiency for the country had he not been slain while Datiles brought jobs and income to his neighborhood out of garbage.

Libanan was cited for his clean up of the BI, which had been cited in the past as among the corrupt agencies in the government.

The CSC said Rosario and her staff were demonstrated excellence in setting up an innovative system of real estate tax transactions that dismantle red tape and thus, resulted in preserving the integrity of revenue collection system in her turf.

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Deputy Commissioner Celia King said the BIR is proud of the feat given by Rosario and her staff who received the Excellence Award of the Public Service and Assistance Delivery Audit for the national capital region.

“We pay tribute to these exemplary civil servants who are the silent heroes of our bureaucracy. They are the testament of a responsive government that upholds the highest work and ethical standards,” said Civil Service Commission Chairman Ricardo Saludo.

The Pagasa awardees are Victorio C. Palabay (Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, La Union); Michael V. Fariñas (City Government of Laoag, Ilocos Norte); Jovita P. Ayson (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Cagayan); Romeo P. Calara (Angeles City Water District, Pampanga); Macario M. Manicad Jr. (Municipal Government of Plaridel, Bulacan); ATI-International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (Agricultural Training Institute, Batangas); Camarines Norte Water District (Camarines Norte); Eduardo L. Guevarra (Department of Social Welfare and Development [DSWD] Field Office 6, Iloilo City); Rosario A. Silla (DSWD Field Office 6, Iloilo City); Luz A. Taposok (University of Southern Mindanao, North Cotabato); and Sandy R. Terania (Philippine Air Force, Cavite City).

On the other hand, Dangal ng Bayan Awards will be given to an individual for extraordinary performance based on the norms of conduct provided under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.