LEGAZPI CITY – Mayor Noel Rosal of Legazpi City has won the highly-coveted Civil Service Commission (CSC) Pagasa Award in the nationwide “Search for the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees” for his exemplary individual accomplishments in the field of government service.

       The good news was relayed to the mayor by CSC Chairman Ricardo L. Saludo through a congratulatory letter dated Aug. 5, 2008.

       The mayor of Legazpi City, along with six other recipients, was chosen from a field of eleven semi-finalists needed to hurdle the validation and final deliberation phases before the CSC was able to come out with the roster of awardees.

       The other five finalists were Aleli C. Almodavar of Isabela Water District, Philip Ibarra, president of Tarlac College of Agriculture, Froilan C. Roque of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Mayor Roque S. Versoza of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur and Joel G. Viray, Security officer of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA.)

       Mayor Rosal’s 2007 rehabilitation program was the key factor for winning the Pagasa Award. He was cited for “leading and inspiring his constituents in rebuilding the city devastated by typhoons Milenyo and Reming in 2006. “ He likewise brought life back to the battered city through infrastructure projects aimed at pump-priming the economy and helping the people cope up with these calamities.

       The Pagasa 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 his observance of the eight norms of behavior under Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).

       The CSC will also confer the Dangal ng Bayan Awards on two Bicolanas: Evelyn Reonal, cashier I of the Albay First Engineering District, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Wenifreda Soto, Midwife of Nabua, Camarines Sur.

       Reonal was cited for her honesty in Returning P100,000 she found at the Land Bank to its rightful owner while Soto was cited for investing her P50,000 in a “botika sa barangay” for the poor.

       This year’s awards was supported by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through a P1 million assistance from the President’s Social Fund.

       The awardees shall receive a gold-gilded medallion, a plaqe containing the citation and signature of the CSC Chairman.

       Awarding ceremonies will be held on Sept. 19 at Malacañang Palace in time for the 108th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary.