2 Cebuanas bag “Dangal ng Bayan” award

CEBU, Philippines - Having dedication to her work as state auditor, Barbara Ana Aloba of the Commission on Audit was able to identify ‘modus operandi’ in the public office.

Aloba’s relentless effort in substantiating her findings led to the uncovering of the P7.2 million cash shortage incurred by a municipal treasurer in Compostela, Cebu during the cash and accounts examination of the said official covering the period October 8, 2007 to June 30, 2008.

The complaint against the municipal treasurer filed by Aloba and other state auditors is still pending before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

“Ang ako lang I stood on my ground. In our line of work, it’s not that easy. Considering nga gamay ra among personnel and our work is so big. The hard work, the preparation of working papers nga maka-substantiate sa amoang audit findings. We cannot deny the fact the government agencies and personnel nagtuo gyud sila nga kami ang fault finders. Ang ako lang we are here working for the government. We have to sustain the public trust diha sa COA,” Aloba said.

She believes that those who are performing illegalities in public offices would not last long.

“Sa ilang higayon matago pa nila. At this point kinsa man gani to’ng naay di maayong nabuhat, nakaikyas pa sila but in the long run di gyud na itugot ilang di maayong binuhatan. There is always an end to something that is not good to the eye of God and the people,” she added.

Aloba, as well as her noteworthy story, was honored yesterday during the regional awarding for public officials and employees as part of the 114th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary of the Civil Service Commission.

Along with Aloba in the “Dangal ng Bayan” category was Euthemia Plariza, midwife II of the Municipality of Dalaguete. Plariza has conducted various trainings and seminars that have helped in creating awareness on proper care, prevention and cure of health related issues and ailments.

The “CSC Pagasa Award” was conferred to Jonalyn Ojastro, administrative aide of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, and Alan Faburada, Assistant Professor I of Negros State University in Dumaguete City.

Ojastro was able to initiate seed production project for farmers in her area to address the ‘delayed’ supply of seeds from the local agriculture office. She convinced 84 farmers to plant rubber trees as permanent crop. It increased the income of the farmers, as well as the number of the farmers.

While Faburada started the development of High Value Crop Production Projects for instructional, research, extension and production of the College of Agriculture and Forestry. The production of high valued crops contributed to the promotion of organic farming in the province.

The award for “Lingkod Bayan”, the top category, was given to Elton Monet Merelos and Rolando Aquino, Aircraft Mechanic and Wing Commander, respectively, of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing of the Philippine Air Force in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Merelos’ accomplishment in in-house repair of components resulted in huge savings for the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, as well as the PAF in gene-ral. His efforts improved the flight operations and ensured operationalization of the unit’s air assets needed for internal security operations and disaster relief and rehabilitation operations.

 Meanwhile, Aquino led the Structural Maintenance Program and recovery of C-130 Nr 3633 as a pioneering project of the PAF.  The C-130 was figured out in the significant events in the country like the siege in Zamboanga, earthquake in Bohol and relief operations in Yolanda-hit areas.

Each of them received plaque of recognition, token and P20,000 cash reward. They will compete at the national level this year.— (FREEMAN)