The Civil Service Commission(CSC) named Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and City Administrator (CA) Michael Victor Alimurung as among the Philippine’s most outstanding public servants for 2025.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and CSC Chairperson Atty. Marilyn Yap conferred the Gawad Lingkod Bayan ng Pangulo to Mayor Belmonte, and the Gawad Pag-asa to CA Alimurung, during the Pagpupugay 2025: Parangal sa mga Lingkod Bayani awarding ceremony in Malacañan Palace on Wednesday morning.
Belmonte, who has been the National Capital Region’s Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardee for three consecutive years, was recognized for her leadership in ensuring inclusivity as the heart of all city government programs, deeply anchored in the city’s overall slogan Kasama Ka Sa Pag-unlad.
“Sa ilalim ng kanyang pamumuno, ang slogan na Kasama Ka sa Pag-unlad ay naging makatotohanan at nararamdaman ng nasasakupan. Naging working laboratory ang Quezon City ng mga best practices sa digital governance, bukas at transparent sa procurement, matatag na disaster preparedness, eksklusibong serbisyong panlipunan at urban planning — proyektong inilatag para sa maayos na kinabukasan ng lungsod,” the awarding ceremony’s annotation stated.
Under Belmonte’s administration, the city government has advanced inclusive, equality-focused initiatives for QCitizens, especially those in vulnerable sectors. Good governance is also a top priority, ensuring an open and participative government.
“Ang parangal na ito ay hindi para sa akin o sa pamahalaang lungsod, kundi para sa lahat ng QCitizens na patuloy na nagsasakripisyo para sa kanilang sarili, pamilya, at sa komunidad. It is my duty to serve all of you and provide all the services that you need and deserve, to ensure that everyone is included, everyone is welcome, at Kasama ang Lahat sa Pag-unlad,” Mayor Belmonte added.
Alimurung, on the other hand, led the city government in pioneering innovation and digital transformation that propelled better processes and system reforms in delivering services to QCitizens.
He spearheaded the establishment of QC E-services, which streamlined the application process for various city services, including Pangkabuhayang QC, Social Welfare Assistance, and Scholarship programs.
“It is an honor to be recognized by CSC. This award reflects the city government’s dedication to making sure that the residents are well taken care of by their city. It is also a recognition for all the public servants who believe in our vision, and work unselfishly with us. Without them, these pioneering programs and services will remain in the drawing board,” Alimurung explained.
The Gawad Lingkod Bayani, formerly known as the Search for Outstanding Government Workers, honors government workers who go beyond their duties to uphold the highest standards of ethical, effective, and people-centered governance.
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