San Fernando mayor named best public exec for 2012

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Mayor Oscar Rodriguez has been named Presidential Lingkod Bayan awardee for 2012 by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Thursday.

This was shared by CSC 2012 Pagasa awardee and City of San Fernando Public Employment Service Office Manager and Community Affairs Division chief Donny Sayre.

"It is rare that two officials from one local government unit figure in the search for outstanding public servants in a year," Sayre said.

According to Earl Tongol of the City Information Office, Rodriguez bested eight other outstanding civil service officials and five exceptional groups for the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award.

The finalists for the category included Mayor Edward Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Jose Garcia III (who was on the shortlist with Rodriguez) of Balanga City, Bataan; and Governor Vilma Santos Recto of Batangas.

The CSC said Rodriguez was particularly recognized for implementing and embracing the Performance Governance System or PGS.

Under his administration, San Fernando was noted as one of the most livable cities in the world; had the most efficient record in the processing and issuance of business permits; and became a top performer among local government units in terms of governance, revenues and implementation of programs on education, health and infrastructure like the Sagip Ilog.

Rodriguez has also introduced a wide range of reforms that helped elevate the status of the city into a newly emerging "boomtown," which attracted a growing volume of private capital.

Rodriguez will join Sayre and cabalen DSWD chief administrative officer Maribel Blanco in Malacañang on September 19 (Rodriguez's birthday) for the awarding ceremony to be led by President Benigno Aquino III.

The highly coveted Presidential Lingkod Bayan award is the highest distinction that can be conferred on a public official for exemplary service and performance. It is formally handed to the winner by no less than the President of the Philippines himself.

The annual search for Lingkod Bayan awardees is conducted nationwide by the Civil Service Commission under its Honor Awards Program that aims to strengthen its advocacy of "promoting excellence and of recognizing and rewarding civil servants for outstanding performance, contribution and achievements or consistent manifestation of exemplary ethical behavior in the public service."

The criteria for the CSC awards include noteworthiness of outstanding performance or contributions, impact of performance or achievement, reliability and effectiveness, consistency of performance, demonstration of teamwork, cooperation, camaraderie and cohesiveness.