A member of the COA family who won last year’s "Most Outstanding Man" of COA
award bested almost 70 other semi-finalists for the honor of being one of this
year’s most outstanding public employees.
State Auditing Examiner Owen Kim Monter of Cluster II, Corporate Government
Sector won the prestigious Dangal ng Bayan Award conferred by the Civil Service
Commission (CSC) during the awarding rites dubbed "Parangal…Pasasalamat 2007" at
the Cultural Center of the Philippines on September 19, 2007.
Engineer Monter was also hailed the Most Outstanding Man of COA in last
year’s "COA Salutes the Best" program acknowledging COAns’ best performance and
accomplishments.
The Committee on the Dangal ng Bayan Award cited Mr. Monter’s judicious
inspection of projects and reporting of discrepancies amounting to
P83,906,470.72 in contract costs versus the actual accomplishments which enabled
the government to save millions of taxpayers’ money. He was honored for
"remaining steadfast to his responsibility amidst the attendant temptation to
turn toward the path of dishonesty."
Asst. Solicitor General Nestor J. Ballacillo (posthumous) of the Office of
the Solicitor General; Floro A. Camote of the Philippine Postal Corporation;
Randel H. Latoza of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Quezon District
Jail; Flordeliza R. Magday, Ph. D. of the Department of Education, Division of
Bataan; and Jovencio V. Muñoz of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, Agusan del Sur also received the Dangal ng Bayan Award.
The Dangal ng Bayan Award is given to an individual for performance of
extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary
ethical behavior on the basis of observance of the norms of conduct provided
under Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public
Officials and Employees.
These norms are commitment to public interest, professionalism, justness and
sincerity, political neutrality, responsiveness to the public, nationalism and
patriotism, commitment to democracy, and simple living.
Since joining COA in 2000, Engineer Monter has been involved in the technical
audit of the infrastructure projects of the Leyte Metropolitan Water Districts,
Mindanao Container Terminal Project of PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority, Employees’
Compensation Commission, Home Guaranty Corporation, and the Social Security
System, among others.
A native of Macrohon, Southern Leyte, Mr. Monter earned his Bachelor of
Science in Civil Engineering degree from the University of the Visayas in 1995.
He is also an active member of the COA Christian Fellowship.
Meanwhile, the CSC also conferred the Lingkod Bayan Award, for exceptional
contributions resulting from an idea or performance that had a nationwide impact
on public interest, to Josette T. Biyo, Ph. D. (Philippine Science High School,
Iloilo City); Capt. Giemel O. Espino (Philippine Air Force); Usec. Zenaida C.
Maglaya (Department of Trade and Industry); P/C Supt. Samson R. Tucay (Police
National Training Institute, Camp Vicente Lim); Gov. Rolando E. Yebes
(Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte); Team – Development of Potato and
Sweet Potato Varieties for the Cordillera (Benguet State University); and Team –
Philippine General Hospital (University of the Philippines Manila).
The recipients of the Pag-asa Award, for outstanding contributions that
directly benefit more than one department of the government, were Josephine R.
Baluyot (Provincial Government of Bulacan); P/C Supt. Leopoldo N. Bataoil
(Police Regional Office No. 1, La Union); Johann C. Cawaling (Kalibo Elementary
School II, Aklan); Dir. Nestor D. Domenden (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources, La Union); Celerina T. Miranda (Abulug Seed Farm, Cagayan); JO3
Rainier G. Ramos (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, La Union); Dir.
Milagros A. Rimando (National Economic and Development Authority, Cagayan);
Mayor Rey T. Uy (Tagum, Davao del Norte); Teresa S. Viernes (Municipal
Government of Plaridel, Bulacan); Team – Bisig ng Nagkakaisang Empleado ng
Antipolo City (City Government of Antipolo); and Team – Enhancing Goat
Productivity through Adaptation of Technologies of Farmers Livestock School on
Integrated Goat Management (Tarlac College of Agriculture).
The awardees were granted automatic promotion to the next higher position or
equivalent salary increase, a trophy designed by National Artist for Sculpture
Napoleon Abueva, cash bonus and other privileges.
CSC Chairwoman Karina Constantino-David and Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N.
Gutierrez served as co-chairs of the Committee on the Dangal ng Bayan Award with
COA Chairman Guillermo N. Carague, Assistant Executive Secretary Alberto A.
Bernardo and Director Jose Wilfrido S. Oca of the Presidential Management Staff
as members.
The event served as one of the highlights of the nationwide celebration of
the 107th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary.
