The Civil Service Commission (CSC) cited Thursday, March 18, the outstanding contributions of women in government service to the national development.

CSC Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala said outstanding female public servants have been given awards and recognitions through the commission’s  Honor Awards Program (HAP), which calls for the annual Search for Outstanding Government Workers.

“Women in government are major players in different aspects of national development—in leadership and legislation, science and technology, medicine, social services, even in the enrichment of Filipino culture and the arts,” she said in a statement. 

“They deserve honor and recognition not only for their achievements, but also for opening the door for other women and girls to come forward and fulfill their potentials,” she added.  

Among the outstanding women who were recognized under the HAP were 2019 CSC Pagasa awardee Dr. Marie Charyll H. Jamolo, a jail senior inspector of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Regional Office VI in Iloilo City; and 2018 CSC Pagasa awardee Tribal and Muslim Affairs Team of the City Tribal and Muslim Affairs Office, of the city government of Tagum in  Davao del Norte.

The CSC said Jamolo implemented a holistic lifestyle and wellness program in all 35 jails in Western Visayas. 

"She turned the 35 jails into 100-percent smoke-free zones, leading to BJMP RO VI’s conferment of the Red Orchid Award twice by the Department of Health," it said. 

All-female Tribal and Muslim Affairs Team, meanwhile, was cited for capacitating traditional leaders that enabled them to actively participate in city and barangay legislation, and to gain representation in various committees and councils. 

Through the team's efforts, 12 livelihood grants worth P5.88 million were given to the indigenous and Muslim cultural communities, the CSC said.

The grants were used for the establishment of a Tribal Display Center showcasing locally-made products and expansion of the local government’s cultural literacy programs that revitalized indigenous practices.

The team leaders are Xylee Labastida-Palomata, Adelaida P. Andipa, and Marife C. Pagdilao.

Also included in the list of CSC’s outstanding women in government service were 2017 Dangal ng Bayan awardee Maria Corazon A. De Ungria, researcher V (Scientist II) of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman; and 2016 Dangal ng Bayan awardee Sonia E. Ipang, social welfare officer III

of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Cagayan de Oro City.

Ungria heads the DNA Analysis Laboratory of the Natural Sciences Research Institute in UP Diliman. 

She was behind the development and use of  DNA technology in criminal investigations. 

"The Research Group of the Philippine Judicial Academy partnered with Dr. De Ungria in developing the guidelines on the use of forensic DNA technology in the Philippine criminal justice system, resulting in the promulgation of guidelines being used in all Philippine courts,” the CSC said. 

Ipang, fondly called as "Mommy Sonia", leads the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth in Gingoog City. 

She founded a parenting environment where residents, many of whom were neglected children, learn to express their thoughts and emotions, and residents are also taught to engage in livelihood opportunities. 

"One of the minors she helped was Rustie Quintana, a boy separated from his family and forced to live on his own means. Through the help of the center and compassionate individuals, Rustie eventually earned a college degree and began to help street kids find a better life,” the CSC said. 

Batangas 6th District Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto was named as SCS’s 2012 Presidential Lingkod Bayan awardee.

The CSC noted that Recto addressed the persistent overcrowding in Taal Lake to improve water quality and prevent fish kills.

"She ordered the dismantling of hundreds of illegal fish pens and other structures on and within the vicinity of the lake. The move almost cost her her re-election in 2010 as moneyed interests campaigned against her.”

Bala described  women’s empowerment and gender equality as essential ingredients on the country’s road to development. 

 “When we have more inclusive policies and programs that enable women’s rights and participation, we are able to unlock the capabilities of half of the population for the benefit of society at large,” she said. 

She expressed the CSC’s commitment to continuously pursue human resource reforms that support female government workers throughout their career.