Cebu auditor gets ‘Dangal ng Bayan Award’

CEBU, Philippines - The Civil Service Commission has awarded a Cebu-based auditor of the Commission on Audit the “Dangal ng Bayan Award” as outstanding public official.

Daisy Bercede, COA’s resident auditor for Cebu City, is the lone recipient of the award from Central Visayas.

The award is conferred to an individual for performing extraordinary act of public service and for consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior on the basis of the employee’s observation of the eight norms of conduct provided under Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Twenty-eight public officials and employees from across the Philippines received the award. The others received the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award and CSC Pagasa Award.

 Of a total of 604 nominations nationwide, 33 went on to compete for the final round of screening, with those working in the fields of education and sciences dominating the slots. Only 28 of the 33 “exceptional” individuals and groups were awarded.

 Bercede and other awardees received a trophy designed by National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva and a cash prize of P200,000.

Unfazed by the hostile environment, Bercede successfully proceeded with audit work, gathered sufficient evidence with her perseverance, humility and determined efforts, eventually earning her the trust and confidence of personnel and staff who assisted and supported her.

 She led the conduct of investigation at the Talisay City College, Bureau of Immigration, LGU- Talisay City, LGU- Lapu-Lapu City and some of its barangays. With her proper supervision and excellent work attitude, she led the team in uncovering substantial cash shortage, anomaly, and fraud against the procurement of supplies and equipment.

 Difficult situations are already a way of life for Bercede and her audit team. She accepts every challenge that would come her way and considers it a window of opportunity and a fertile training ground to gain more knowledge, exposure in different audit situations, and improve one’s audit skills and competence.

 The government-wide search recognizes civil servants who have given pride and glory to government service, those who have continuously shown excellence via their innovations and inventions, and those who have carried out their duties despite odds valiantly.

 The CSC, the central human resource institution of the Philippine government, conducts the annual search as part of the Honor Awards Program, which aims to motivate and inspire civil servants to improve the quality of their performance and instill deeper involvement in public service.

 There are three award categories – the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, CSC Pagasa Award, and Dangal ng Bayan Award.

 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is conferred to an individual or group for exceptional or extraordinary contributions that had nationwide impact while the Pagasa Award is given to an individual or group of individuals for outstanding contributions that directly benefited more than one department of the government.  (FREEMAN)