Awards Rites for the Outstanding Government Workers of 2023 and the Presidential Medal of Merit

Ceremonial Hall, Malacañan Palace
February 14, 2024
Lauding the awardees for their exemplary service, creativity and innovative solutions to challenges in the areas of food security, education, social development, climate and disaster resilience, science and technology, and financial literacy, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recognized the 2023 Outstanding Government Workers in a ceremonial program at Malacañan Palace on February 14, 2024.
“Standing solidly on our nation’s bedrock belief that public office is a public trust, our 2023 Outstanding Government Workers project the image of an ideal Filipino government worker. They did not set out to do things that would earn them praise or to reap rewards. Rather, they consistently deliver quality public service, regardless of their position or their pay, because it is what they feel is their duty, the duty they owe to the people,” the President said in his keynote message.
He reiterated the Administration’s commitment towards enhancing the government employees’ working conditions and supporting their professional development in the civil service.
“In Bagong Pilipinas, we want to increase their tribe, in line with our efforts to build a resilient government driven by agile and future-ready civil servants,” he stressed.
Apart from the outstanding government workers, President Marcos Jr. bestowed the Presidential Medal of Merit to Maria ‘Whang-od’ Oggay, the country’s only remaining ‘Mambabatok’ or master tattoo artist from Kalinga, for her contributions to the preservation of Philippine traditional arts and practices.
“We are honoring Apo Whang-od for works that have made her and the country famous, for other achievements that make her a Filipina worthy of our respect and of our admiration. She is a pioneer in shattering gender stereotypes, venturing into tattooing when it was just a man’s exclusive preserve. She is a keeper of the oral traditions and a mentor, teaching a new generation of artists, thus ensuring that her art form lives on to tell tales of her community’s history,” he conveyed.
The Chief Executive expressed his wishes for his fellow Filipinos to emulate the remarkable achievements of all the awardees, who embody the spirit of a progressive and innovative ‘Bagong Pilipino’, by bringing positive transformation to their respective communities as the Administration continues to lay the foundation of a ‘Bagong Pilipinas’.
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