P-Noy cites slain DENR worker for dedication

By Charlie Lagasca

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya  – President Aquino bestowed recently the Dangal ng Bayan Award on a worker of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources who was killed in Cagayan earlier this year.

Melania Dirain, a former forestry specialist, was cited for her exemplifying commitment as a public servant, the regional office of the state-run Philippine Information Agency said yesterday.

The award is given by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to government workers who displayed exemplary adherence to the norms of conduct and ethical behavior in the performance of their duty.

Dirain’s three sons received P200,000 cash assistance from the President. Her trophy, which was received by her sons, was designed by National Artist for sculpture Napoleon Abueva.

During the Earth Day celebration last April 22, Dirain was posthumously named as one of the 2012 Fr. Nery Satur Environmental Heroes along with an Italian priest who was killed in Mindanao.

Dirain, 42, was shot dead inside her office by a lone gunman on Feb. 7 this year.

The gunman, Adorable Caligan, of Claveria town was later charged with murder.

However, the mastermind in the killing of Dirain remains at large.

Authorities said Dirain’s murder could be in connection with her office’s discovery of illegally cut logs and interception of more than 20,000 board feet of lumber along the Cagayan-Ilocos Norte border.