THE House of Representatives adopted on Monday a resolution commending the four teachers, three police officers, and three soldiers who were given the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos of 2022 award for their dedication and professionalism in the pursuit of excellent public service.

“With the theme ‘Beyond Excellence,’ this year’s dynamic and exhaustive nationwide search was launched last October 2021 to honor ten exemplary Filipinos for rendering service above and beyond the call of duty as educators, peacekeepers, and defenders of the nation,” read House Resolution No. 345 filed by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, House Minority Leader and 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre.

HR 345 was adopted in consolidation with HR Nos. 308 and 309 filed by Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo and HR 351 filed by senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a former President. mm

The teachers who were given the award are Junmerth C. Jorta (Teacher 1, Keupiyanan Te Balugo, San Fernando, Bukidnon), Christine Joy D.R. Aguila, Ph.D. (Special Science Teacher 5, Philippine Science High School – Main Campus, Quezon City), Leonila F. Dans, M.D., M.Sc. (Professor 12, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines, City of Manila), and Mark Nolan P. Confesor, Ph.D. (Professor 6, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City).

For police officers, the award was given to Police Executive Master Sergeant Rogelio A. Rodriguez Jr. (Investigator, Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit, CIDG, Camp BGen. Rafael T. Crame, Quezon City), Police Captain Rosalino E. Panlaqui (Chief of Police, Jalajala Municipal Police Station, Jalajala, Rizal), and Police Colonel Lambert A. Suerte (Battalion Commander, Regional Mobile Force Battalion – NCRPO, Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City).

Meanwhile, soldiers Technical Sergeant Joel L. Tuganan Pa (First Sergeant, Delta Company, 33rd Infantry Battalion, 6th Infantry Division, Radja Buayan, Maguindanao), Colonel Maria Victoria P. Juan NC (Army Chief Nurse, Office of the Army Chief Nurse, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City), and Colonel Stephen L. Cabanlet PN(M) (Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff for Operations, U3, Western Command, Camp Gen. Artemio Ricarte, Puerto Princesa City) received the recognition.

The annual Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos acknowledges ten outstanding Filipino public servants composed of four teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers who exhibit heroism, excellence, dedication, and selflessness in the pursuit of service to our nation, according to the resolution.

First launched in 1985, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. program has bestowed the prestigious award to six hundred ninety-five (695) outstanding public servants whose admirable honesty, commitment, and professionalism brought innovations to the country and inspired a positive change in the people.

“After an intensive selection process based on their character, competence, and compassion, manifested through transformative programs and inclusive community-building efforts, ten (10) awardees were selected from hundreds of nominees who deserve the nation’s deepest appreciation and gratitude,” the resolution read.

The award aims to “highlight the professional achievements and personal triumphs of those in the academe, military, and police who live by the values of patriotism, integrity, and resourcefulness, and fulfill their social responsibilities in the performance of their duties.”

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc., founded by Dr. George Ty Siao Kian on January 8, 1979, is a corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco