The Department of National Defense (DND) recognized 12 of its civil servants across its bureaus on Monday, Sept. 23, in celebration of the 124th Philippine Civil Service anniversary at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
DND Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said that the awardees were recognized for their “dedication, leadership, and contributions to the Department's mission of safeguarding national security and public service.”
The anniversary carried the theme "Transforming Public Service in the Next Decade: Honing Agile and Future-ready Servant-heroes."
The awardees 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 Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); Ms. Maria Eloisa S. Santelices and Ms. Sonia Grace P. Asuncion from the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO); Ms. Gee Lyn M. Basa and Ms. Zenaida A. Taccaban from the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP); Mr. Giovanni T. Cortez and Mr. Luisito V. Haciñas from the Government Arsenal (GA); and Dr. Karl Marvin M. Tan and Ms. Althea D. Galvan from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).
Teodoro emphasized that the dedication and hard work of civil servants in the DND have been 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 DND, 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.”
The defense chief stressed the importance of fostering a workforce equipped not just with academic qualifications, but with practical expertise, particularly in critical fields like cybersecurity.
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, as well as cooperation from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and members of the constitutional regulation, as he recognized that changes in policy and legislation are essential to support the mission of the defense department.
On the other hand, 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.
Last week, the AFP noted the crucial role that civilian personnel play in supporting the military and defense sectors’ objectives and their integral contributions to national security.
“The dedication and commitment of our civilian workforce are essential to the success of our organization. You are the backbone that ensures the smooth functioning of our operations, and today we celebrate your service and dedication,” said Major General Rommel Roldan, The Deputy Chief of Staff (TDCS) for Personnel, J1.