ILOILO CITY – Three nominees from Iloilo and Antique were named by the Civil Service Commission as 2024 Outstanding Government Workers during the awarding rites at the ceremonial hall in Malacañang on Wednesday.
Social Worker Ann Rapunzel Ganzon of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of Iloilo and Wilson Batislaon, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources officer of the municipality of Leganes in Iloilo, received the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, the highest award given to public servants for exceptional or extraordinary contributions with nationwide impact on public interest, security, and patrimony.
Darryl Arguelles, Principal II of the Department of Education Schools Division of Antique, was conferred the Dangal ng Bayan Award, given to government workers who displayed an extraordinary act of public service and display of the eight norms of conduct under Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Ganzon, in an i
nterview on Thursday, said she was humbled and blessed by the recognition.
‘This is such a great honor and a very remarkable feat for a government worker to receive the highest honor for public service. I give back all the glory to the Lord,’ she said in a phone interview.
Ganzon was assigned as the focal person for persons with disability (PWDs) at the PSWDO in 2021.
During her stint, she introduced initiatives considered best practices, including the revival of the partnership with nongovernment organizations and building community support for the interest of PWDs.
Ganzon said the province secured the highest allocation for assistive devices from the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
‘Even during the pandemic, I offered to do house-to-house distribution,’ she said.
She also lobbied with the National Council for Disability Affairs for computer units dedicated to the enlistment of PWDs to the Philippine Registry for Persons with Disabilities for all 43 local government units of the province. From 10,000
when she started in 2021, the registration rose to around 39,000 as of the current.
Ganzon said should the time come benefits for PWDs are rolled out, Iloilo province would not be left behind because of the updated registry.
Another unique practice is the first-ever PWD-led blood donation activity in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross.
‘They are selfless and so noble of them to think of saving lives and believing that they have disabilities, but surely they have abilities and were able to save lives,’ she said.
Ganzon also initiated the awarding of PWD employees at the capitol, revived the search for PWD-friendly municipalities in the province, recognized PWD graduates, and linked them up with concerned offices for job placement.
‘I would like to believe that if there is someone who is willing to champion any of our sectors, they will really be empowered, and they will really be happy. I would love to hear that I am their voice, their champion, and I will continue doing that,’ she said.
Source:
Philippines News agency