One of the constructive strategies to ensure the success of an organization is through rewards and recognition. Such initiative encourages healthy relationship between the employer and employees, both sides functioning hand in hand to reciprocate value.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) takes pride in establishing its employee appreciation awards system that recognizes the untiring efforts of its entire workforce. This is to encourage creativity, efficiency, and integrity in public service. In fact, the Department adopted the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular 01, Series of 2001: Programs on Awards and Incentives for Services Excellence (PRAISE) as its basis to conduct an annual awarding ceremony.

This year, DOLE XI held its PRAISE Awards and Recognition Night on December 14-15, 2022 at Sunny Point Hotel, Davao City, to recognize and reward the collaboration and efforts of its workforce in the achievement of the organization’s target and accomplishments in the previous year that aligned with DOLE’s core values.

The DOLE-Davao Oriental Field Office, led by its Provincial Head Rodolfo T. Castro, bagged the Best Organizational Unit award, the top honors for the recently concluded ceremony. Said field office received high ratings in its Office Performance Commitment and Review (OPCR) and predominantly excelled in the implementation of major programs and administrative support.

Meanwhile, the DOLE-Davao Occidental Field Office, led by Acting Provincial Head Arce D. Sinajon, was given the Gantimpala Agad Award for rendering outstanding and remarkable service to the public especially in delivering the Department’s programs and services to the far-flung municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental.

Davao City Field Office received the awards for Best Implementing Unit for Livelihood Program and Services – DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), Best Implementing Unit for Livelihood Program and Services – Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), and Best Implementing Unit for Labor Relations. Davao del Sur Field Office took home the awards for Best Implementing Unit for Employment Programs and Services, Best Implementing Unit for Labor Relations, Best Implementing Unit for Welfare Services, and Best Implementing Unit for Quality Management System. For Davao del Norte Field Office, it was conferred with the award for Best Implementing Unit for Employment Programs and Services. Aside from bagging the highest award, Davao Oriental Field Office received the awards for Best Implementing Unit for Labor Inspection Program and Best Implementing Unit for Occupational Safety and Health Program.

“These contributions and accomplishments are the vital motivational factors why this office has reached noteworthy achievements in leaps and bounds, making us one of the top performing regions nationwide — and that is something to be proud of,” said Assistant Regional Director Atty. Jason P. Balais in his opening message. He also emphasized the relentless effort of the personnel to give honor to the department and for going extra mile beyond what they were bound to accomplish.

Aside from recognizing the outstanding execution of DOLE XI Field Offices, the individual performances and accomplishments of its personnel were also acknowledged during the recognition night.

To commend her commitment to quality and excellence in work performance, Ms. Suzette Jane A. Antiveros, Planning Officer III, was hailed the “Huwarang Kawani” (Model Employee). Ms. Antiveros won acclaim for attaining tasks that exceeded her normal position requirements. Meanwhile, the Best Labor Inspector and Best Single-Entry Approach Desk Officer (SEADO) awards were both presented to Ms. Roselyn L. Dejaro of Davao Oriental Field Office. Ms. Dejaro, Senior Labor and Employment Officer, stood out for her efficiency in enforcing the inspection and settlement programs of the office.

DOLE XI also paid tribute to its employees who have been with the Office for 10 years and 30 years, especially Ms. Maria Cecilia A. Gravino who will be retiring after 39 years of public service.

Lastly, the PRAISE also gave recognition to employees who have exerted extra effort to develop their job competencies at their own expense. The Career Development Reward was conferred to Ms. Jenelyn A. Sanchez for finishing her Master of Public Management (Public Policy and Program Administration) degree at the University of the Philippines (Open University) and Ms. Clara Merdika B. Maglunsod for her master’s degree in Public Administration at the Philippine Christian University.

The recognition night was graced by Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations Atty. Maria Liavel Badillo-Crisostomo who uplifted the confidence of DOLE XI personnel with her inspiring message.  “The regional office is the backbone of DOLE. We are here to contribute to the betterment and advancement of the entire department. And we pride here in DOLE that we do not only give respect, value, and recognition to our stakeholders, but we deliver a public service with a heart.”

Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy gave his congratulatory message by assuring everyone that the hard work of all the personnel of DOLE XI will never go unnoticed. “As we close out this year and get ready for a new year, we can recount all our initiatives and activities that we have undertaken over the past year as a department. But what matters most is our overall movement, in a holistic sense, relative to where we have been and to the future we envision.”

DOLE XI’s culture of appreciation and awards speak particularly of each employee’s noteworthy involvement to achieve the Office’s vision that by 2030, DOLE XI shall be a highly competent organization providing fully automated quality labor and employment programs and services with committed personnel working together towards ensuring full, decent, and productive employment for all Davaoeños.### MFKM