In celebration of the 124th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, the Department of Agriculture – Bicol honored some 34 employees who reached their 20th, 30th, and 35th years in service at the DA Bicol.

The simple celebration was spearheaded by the Administrative and Finance Division – Human Resource Management Section (HRMS) and was held at DA Covered Court on September 9, 2024. Each service awardee received a certificate of appreciation and cash award based on Rewards and Recognition, being one of the pillars of HRMS. A loyalty cash award with monetary value is given to those employees who have rendered 10 years of continuous and satisfactory service in the government.

This year’s theme was “Transforming Public Service in the Next Decade: Honing Agile and Future-Ready Servant Heroes.”

One of the loyalty awardees was Regional Executive Director Rodel P. Tornilla who is on his 22nd year in service. “We are talking about loyalty since mga loyalty awardees tayo,” he said. “Ang ating loyalty is pwede mo siyang ilagay sa iba’t ibang aspeto: loyalty sa opisina and loyalty to our clients. We are mandated to serve our farmers and fisherfolks. We are mandated to maintain food security sa ating mga nasasakupan that should always be our mindset na makatulong at magkaroon ng pagkain ang mga tao hindi lang sa Bicol kundi sa buong Pilipinas.”

Lorenzo L. Alvina, OIC RTD for Research and Regulations, who’s also a recipient shared his insights about civil servants being “bayani” (heroes) that came from the word bagani, “Ang bagani siya ang nag de-defend ng community not necessarily warrior, lahat na problema inaayos niya na walang bayad, not necessarily leader, basta bagani ka sa community ikaw ang pinupuntahan at hinihingian ng tulong. So that’s the essence of civil service.”

On the other hand, Imelda Acompañado, OIC Chief of Administrative and Finance Division, acknowledged the invaluable services, commitment, and dedication that the employees poured into the years of service in the department. She emphasized also that being in DA is a big challenge for the employees because of its mission to promote food security and food availability. “Let us not forget our oath as public servants and let us be guided by the eight norms of conduct and code of ethical standards for government officials and employees,” she added.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Mary Grace DP. Rodriguez, OIC RTD for Operations, thanked her former supervisors and urged everyone to take the chance to thank former bosses who honed them. “Thank you Department of Agriculture, hindi lang ako naging loyal sa DA but ang DA I know in my heart naging loyal din po sa akin,” she said.