CAR bags top 3 slots in nat’l service awards;BSU gets top citation

BAGUIO CITY -- The Cordillera Administrative Region added another feather to its cap when it claimed victory thrice in this year’s Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees.

This was revealed by Cordillera Civil Service Commission director who said the three received their awards Nov. 9 at Malacañan Palace.

Proving her consistency in pursuing excellent performance, Dr. Violeta B. Salda, Chief Science Research Specialist, Benguet State University was this year’s Presidential Lingkod Bayan awardee.

Now a two-time honor awards program awardee, Dr. Salda received the same award in 2005.

Edgar H. Madlaing, Master Teacher I of the Benguet National High School is this year’s Dangalng Bayan awardee while the Provincial Health Office Abra Dental team garnered the Civil Service Commission Pagasa Award.

The Abra dental team was headed by Ms. Meynarda B. Yamat Members: Criselda M. Bigornia, Josefa D. Buenavista, Marichu B. Castaneda, Jocelyn G. Galinato, Mario E. Pilarta, Cindy Rose D. Stimson.

Salda was cited for her unwavering diligence, persistence and innovativeness in developing and promoting programs on reduction of postharvest losses, livelihood, income, employment and revenue generation and in fund sourcing to support BSU’s Research Development and Extension Programs and for unselfishly sharing her expertise on veggie enriched noodle and bread technologies.

Madlaing was recognized for his demonstration of selflessness, prompt response and heroic act in voluntarily risking his life to save the victims of massive landslides in Benguet during the onslaught of typhoon Pepeng in October 2009 and for his dedicated leadership, initiatives and volunteer works that benefitted the school, his community and his students.

Despite its limited resources, the PHO Abra Dental Team has consistently and diligently served the 27 municipalities of Abra regardless of the location and inaccessibility of the area sacrificing their safety and health and working beyond official time without overtime pay and sometimes spending their own resources just to serve the people.

Thus, within the span of 5 years, the prevalence of dental caries was drastically decreased and it significantly strengthened the oral awareness and consciousness of the Abrenios.

Nationwide, there were thirty recipients of the most prestigious public service awards, ten in each of the three categories, 22 in the individual category and eight in the group category.

Sixty were chosen earlier as finalists from among the 224 nominations received by the HAP Secretariat for the 2011 Search.