THE Civil Service Commission (CSC), through its 2018 Search for Outstanding Government Workers, has named Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena as the Presidential Lingkod Bayan awardee in Western Visayas.
Decena received the recognition from CSC Commissioner Leopoldo Roberto Valderosa, Regional Director Rodolfo Encajonado and members of the Honor Awards Program and Regional Committee on Awards in rites held at CSC-Western Visayas Office in Iloilo City Thursday, September 6.
The provincial veterinarian was among the two awardees of the highest distinction. The other recipient was a public school teacher, also from Bacolod City.
The agency also named five winners each for Dangal ng Bayan and Pag-asa ng Bayan categories.
“I am honored and humbled to be given such recognition from among more than 100,000 government workers in the region,” Decena said, adding that he shares the award to the provincial government headed by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., and his family and friends who have helped him grow as public servant.
He also dedicates the recognition to the livestock and poultry industry stakeholders especially the farmers “whom I deserve to be of service.”
Decena has been in the government service for 34 years now. He was appointed as provincial veterinarian of Negros Occidental in 1994 but had started working under the Department of Agriculture (DA) in 1984.
He was a veterinary quarantine officer before they were devolved to Provincial Government in 1991 due to the implementation of the Local Government Code.
Decena became the action officer in the prevention of the entry of foot and mouth disease during the time of former president Fidel Ramos.
“The disease has devastated the cloven footed animals in Luzon. State of national emergency was even declared during that time,” he said, recalling that the outbreak hadalso brought challenges in Western Visayas.
“The ordinance we lobbied and enacted in 1998 became the benchmark of Philippine Quarantine System,” Decena added.
The provincial veterinarian attributed the recognition to various programs he initiated to strengthen the province’s livestock and poultry industry.
Among which are the organization of various associations that has positively contributed in boosting local economy, job generation and food security.
Decena also cited the establishment of the Negros First Ranch in Murcia and multiplier farms in different localities which enabled the province to produce quality breed of stocks resulting to improved production and more livelihood opportunities to Negrense farmers and raisers.
The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), under his leadership, has also been pushing for competitive livestock-based economy.
“Negros Occidental is already competitive in national and international level as we are already produced breeder animals comparable to other countries like the Negros First Cattle,” Decena said.
“We were able to do this of course through the strong support and animal production techniques initiated by the governor.”
In 2008, Decena was also awarded as the Outstanding Provincial Veterinarian in the Philippines by the Philippine Veterinary Drug Association.
With the new recognition, Decena said he aspires to acquire more knowledge about public service to better serve and share it with fellow Negrenses.
Decena said the concept of public service is practicing professionalism in your own field, living a simple life, and positively accepting criticisms and problems.
These traits will make one a better public servant, Decena said, adding that working in an organization like PVO requires effective leadership.
“Capitol is a field of challenges and opportunities. You have to work well with your superiors and learn from your peers and subordinates,” he furthered.