Agri-technologist from Aklan is 2014 Dangal ng Bayan awardee

BY  BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

An agricultural technologist of the local government unit of Kalibo has been chosen this year’s Dangal ng Bayan awardee by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Alicia Bernal Rebuelta, 55, native of Lilo-an, Malinao, Aklan will be conferred the Dangal ng Bayan award on September in Malacanang Heroes Hall.

The awarding ceremony is one of the highlights of the 114th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary celebration with the theme, “Tapat na Serbisyo Alay Ko, Dahil Lingkod Bayani Ako.” 

Rebuelta, who is a mother of a registered nurse and a UP in the Visayas graduating ComSci student, works for 33 years in the government. She is married to Paterno Ibardolaza Rebuelta, an associate professor of Aklan State University Banga main campus. 

Prior to this prestigious CSC recognition, Rebuelta was the recipients of various awards such as Regional Gawad Saka awardee for Outstanding Rural Improvement Club in Region VI, National Rice Achiever awardee in 2013, Outstanding Kalibo Municipal Employee in 2011 and a regional awardee for Outstanding Municipal Focal Person for Organic Agriculture in 2014.

Rebuelta is one of the 10 awardees for Dangal ng Bayan cited in the Memorandum Circular No. 17, series of 2014 of CSC chairman Dr. Francisco Duque III on July 24, 2014. 

The Dangal ng Bayan Award is conferred to an individual for performance of extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior on the basis of the employee’s observation of the eight norms of conduct under Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Dangal ng Bayan Awardees will receive a cash prize of PHP200,000 and a trophy designed by National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva during the awarding ceremonies.

Fifteen individuals -  police officers, midwife, state auditor, public works heavy equipment operator, veterinarian, fire station fire officer, government jail officer, hospital chief, state university research associate, government information officer, agricultural technologist and an elected mayor made it to the shortlist of Dangal ng Bayan semi-finalists  last June. 

Under Section 6, paragraph 3 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, the awardees are also entitled to incentives in the form of bonuses, citations, directorships in government-owned or controlled corporations, local and foreign scholarship grants, paid vacations, and automatic promotion to the next higher position with commensurate salary suitable to their qualifications.