MC No. 1, s.

2023

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR

TO : HEADS OF CONSTITUTIONAL BODIES; DEPARTMENTS,

BUREAUS, AND AGENCIES OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT;
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS; GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR
CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS WITH ORIGINAL CHARTERS;
AND STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES

SUBJECT : 2023 Search for Outstanding Government Workers

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) announces the start of the 2023 Search for Outstanding
Government Workers as mandated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Executive Order (EO)
No. 292 or the Administrative Code of 1987; EO No. 508, series of 1992, as amended by EO
No. 77, series of 1993; and Republic Act No. 6713. As provided under Section 35, Chapter
5, Book V of the Administrative Code of 1987, the CSC shall administer the Honor Awards
Program (HAP) and conduct the annual search for public exemplars.

The Search covers three (3) award categories, namely: the Presidential Lingkod Bayan
Award, the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees Award (Dangal ng Bayan) Award,
and the CSC Pagasa Award. The conferment of the awards forms part of the Commission’s
advocacy of promoting excellence, and recognizing and rewarding civil servants for
outstanding performance, contribution, and achievements, and/or consistent manifestation of
exemplary ethical behavior in public service.

Heads of government agencies are enjoined to participate in the prestigious Search and
nominate the awardees of their Program on Rewards, Awards, and Incentives for Service
Excellence (PRAISE) via electronic submission of documentary requirements, to the CSC
Regional and/or Field Offices not later than 31 March 2023. The attached CSC Resolution
No. 2100501 dated 24 June 2021 on the Guidelines for the 2021 Search for Outstanding
Government Workers and the Years Thereafter, shall be adopted for the 2023 Search.
Updated nomination forms are available in the CSC Regional and Field Offices nationwide
and from the CSC website, www.csc.gov.ph.

Further, the CSC seeks the assistance of government agencies in promoting the HAP and
the public service exemplars by encouraging the employees to like and subscribe to the
Philippine Civil Service Facebook page and CSC Media PH Youtube page, and share the
following regular promotional releases in their respective online bulletin boards and social
media pages:
Social Media Posts

The CSC’s main Facebook Page features regular updates on the nomination process
and inspirational quotes from past awardees. Government agencies are encouraged
to share or cross-post these informational and inspirational social media cards on their
respective online accounts as well.

Lingkod Bayan Diaries: Katangi-tanging Kawani

Lingkod Bayan Diaries: Katangi-tanging Kawani (LBD KK), previously known as HAP
Story, is a video anthology released through the CSC Facebook Page and YouTube
channel. The videos feature civil servants’ stories and their experiences as awardees.
A short clip of awardees inviting nominations to the Search is also featured at the end
of each video.

Government agencies, through their respective human resource management officers

(HRMOs), are requested to use the videos for the following purposes:

 regular social media content on official agency online platforms;

 resource materials documenting public service excellence;
 visual materials to be used during learning and development programs such as
webinars, conventions, and summits;
 recruitment tools to attract potential applicants to public service;
 motivational tools to encourage employees to pursue career development;
 creative representation of regional achievements showcasing best practices
done in the regions;
 video support for media interviews on public service; and
 information tools for orientations on the Search for Outstanding Government
Workers.

Lingkod Bayan Diaries Previews

Lingkod Bayan Diaries Previews are vertical video teasers promoting the next main
LBD episode. These are shareable through emerging vertical video platforms such as
Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok.

HAP Promotional Videos

Videos on the Search are also released via the CSC's official online accounts. These
may be used by government agencies as informational material on the program and
encourage nominations.
For inquiries, the HAP Secretariat may be reached through telephone numbers (02) 8931-
7993/8932-0381, or by email address hapsecretariat@csc.gov.ph.

For official updates and materials on HAP, please refer to the following:

CSC website : www.csc.gov.ph

CSC Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/civilservicegovph
YouTube Channel : www.youtube.com/cscphmedia
LBD YouTube Playlist : https://tinyurl.com/LBDYTplaylist
LBD Facebook Playlist : https://tinyurl.com/LBDFBPlaylist
Digitally signed by Nograles
Karlo Alexei Bendigo
Date: 2023.01.06 22:26:25
+08'00'
Atty. KARLO A. B. NOGRALES
Chairperson

09 January 2023
HONOR AWARDS PROGRAM Number: 2100501
Re: Guidelines on the 2021 Search for
Outstanding Government Workers
and the Years Thereafter Promulgated: 24 June 2021
x-------------------------------------------------x

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, in accordance with its constitutional mandate to adopt measures

to promote morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness and courtesy in the civil
service, as well as to strengthen the merit and rewards system, the Civil Service
Commission (CSC) administers an annual, nationwide Honor Awards Program (HAP)
through the annual Search for Outstanding Government Workers;

WHEREAS, the CSC administers the annual Search to recognize government

officials and employees who exemplified outstanding performance, to further motivate
or inspire public servants to improve the quality of their performance and to instill
excellence in public service;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as the Code
of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Executive Order
No. 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987 and its Implementing
Rules and Regulations, and Executive Order No. 508, s. 1992, as amended by
Executive Order No. 77, s. 1993, CSC, together with the Office of the President and
the constituted Special Committee on Awards, shall confer the Presidential Lingkod
Bayan and CSC Pagasa, two award categories given for outstanding work
performance, and the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees or Dangal ng Bayan
award for exemplary conduct and ethical behavior;

WHEREAS, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed and approved Republic Act
No. 11469 otherwise known as “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” on March 24, 2020,
declaring the existence of a national emergency arising from the Corona Virus Disease
2019 (COVID-19) Situation;

WHEREAS, the President further approved Republic Act No. 11494 or the
Bayanihan To Recover As One Act on September 11, 2020, providing for COVID-19
response and recovery interventions, mechanisms to accelerate the recovery and
bolster the resiliency of the Philippine economy, providing funds therefor, and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS, the Commission issued CSC Memorandum Circular No. 10 dated
May 7, 2020, Revised Interim Guidelines for Alternative Work Arrangements and
Support Mechanisms for Workers in the Government During the Period of State of
National Emergency Due to COVID-19 Pandemic which provides that all government
HAP Guidelines on the 2021 Search for Outstanding
Government Workers and the Years Thereafter
page 2 of 2
X-----------------------------------------------------------------X

agencies and instrumentalities may adopt alternative work arrangements

appropriate/applicable to their functions and place of work, and prevailing community
quarantine in the area where the agency is located, giving priority to the preferred
schedule of employees who are senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with
disabilities (PWD);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the abovementioned issuances, it is necessary to

issue the Guidelines for the conduct of the Search for Outstanding Government
Workers in 2021 and years thereafter and enjoin the heads of agencies and state
workers to observe electronic submission of scanned copies of nominations, together
with the required documents, to the CSC Regional and/or Field Offices in accordance
with the provisions of these guidelines, together with a Certification from the agency
Human Resource Management Officer that the documents submitted are authentic
and genuine;

WHEREFORE, the Commission RESOLVES to adopt the attached Guidelines

for the 2021 Search for Outstanding Government Workers and the Years Thereafter.

Quezon City.

ORIGINAL SIGNED
ALICIA dela ROSA-BALA
Chairperson

ORIGINAL SIGNED
ATTY. AILEEN LOURDES A. LIZADA VACANT
Commissioner Commissioner

Attested by:

KATHERINE LIMARE-DELMORO
Acting Director IV
Commission Secretariat and Liaison Office
 HONOR AWARDS PROGRAM
Guidelines for the 2021 Search for Outstanding Government Workers
and the Years Thereafter
___________________________________________________________________

I. Introduction

In accordance with its constitutional mandate to adopt measures to promote morale,

efficiency, integrity, responsiveness and courtesy in the civil service, as well as to
strengthen the merit and rewards system, the Civil Service Commission (CSC)
administers an annual, nationwide Honor Awards Program (HAP) through the annual
Search for Outstanding Government Workers. The program seeks to recognize and
reward state officials and employees for their outstanding contributions and
achievements in the delivery of public service.

The annual Search started in 1965 through the Employee Suggestions and Incentives
Awards System (ESIAS) implemented under Section 27 of Republic Act No. 2260 or
the Civil Service Act of 1959 to award public servants for extraordinary acts or services
that contributed to the efficiency, economy and improvement of government
operations.

In 1975, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 807, new rules and guidelines of the
ESIAS modified the types of honor awards as follows: Presidential or Lingkod Bayan
and Silangan Awards, the Civil Service Commission or Pagasa Award, and the Agency
or Kapwa Award.

Meanwhile, Republic Act No. 6713 known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical
Standards for Public Officials and Employees vested in the CSC the administration of
the nationwide Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees or Dangal ng
Bayan Award.

On 16 March 2020, the President, through Presidential Proclamation No. 929,

declared a state of calamity throughout the Philippines due to the Corona Virus
Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation. Subsequently, the President approved Republic
Act No. 11469 otherwise known as “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” on March 24,
2020, declaring the existence of a national emergency arising from the COVID-19
situation. Furthermore, the President approved Republic Act No. 11494 or the
Bayanihan to Recover as One Act on September 11, 2020, providing for COVID-19
response and recovery interventions, mechanisms to accelerate the recovery and
bolster the resiliency of the Philippine economy, providing funds therefor, and for other
purposes.

Pertinent thereto, the Commission issued CSC Memorandum Circular No 10 dated

May 7, 2020, Revised Interim Guidelines for Alternative Work Arrangements and
Support Mechanisms for Workers in the Government During the Period of State of
National Emergency Due to COVID-19 Pandemic, which provides that all government
agencies and instrumentalities may adopt alternative work arrangements
appropriate/applicable to their functions and place of work, and prevailing community
quarantine in the area where the agency is located, giving priority to the preferred
schedule of employees who are senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with
disabilities (PWD).

1
Thereafter, the President, through Proclamation No. 1021 dated September 16, 2020,
extended the declared State of Calamity throughout the Philippines for a period of one
(1) year, effective 13 September 2020 to 12 September 2021, unless earlier lifted or
extended as circumstances may warrant. Further, all government agencies and LGUs
are enjoined to continue rendering full assistance to and cooperation with each other
and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate
disaster response aid and measures in a timely manner to curtail and eliminate the
threat of COVID-19.

Hence, pursuant to the abovementioned issuances, the Commission deems it

necessary to issue the Guidelines for the conduct of the Search for Outstanding
Government Workers for 2021 and the years thereafter. Electronic submission of
nomination, together with the required documents and Certification from the agency
Human Resource Management Officer that the documents submitted are authentic
and genuine, is required.

II. Award Categories

A. Outstanding Work Performance

 Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is conferred to an individual or group

comprised of five members for exceptional or extraordinary contributions
resulting from an idea or performance that had nationwide impact on public
interest, security and patrimony.
 Civil Service Commission Pagasa Award is conferred to an individual or
group comprised of five members for outstanding contribution/s resulting
from an idea or performance that directly benefit more than one department
of the government.

B. Exemplary Ethical Behavior

 Outstanding Public Officials and Employees or Dangal ng Bayan Award is

conferred to an individual for performance of an extraordinary act or public
service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior on the
basis of observance of the eight norms provided under Republic Act No.
6713:

1. Commitment to Public Interest

2. Professionalism
3. Justness and Sincerity
4. Political Neutrality
5. Responsiveness to the Public
6. Nationalism and Patriotism
7. Commitment to Democracy
8. Simple Living

III. Who are Qualified

A. All appointive officials and employees holding permanent, temporary,

coterminous, contractual and casual status of employment in the
government, whether stationed in the Philippines or abroad;
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 B. Elective officials;
C. Elective and appointive barangay officials and employees may also be
nominated, provided they meet all the following conditions pursuant to Civil
Service Commission (CSC) Resolution No. 01-1352dated August 10, 2001
on the “Recognition of the Barangay Secretary and Barangay Treasurer as
Government Employees” (Annex A):
 Respective appointment papers are submitted to the CSC for records
purposes;
 Positions have fixed salary in accordance with the salary schedule
provided for in Local Budget Circular No. 63, s. 1996;
 Meet the qualification requirements set in the Local Government Code
of 1991; and
 Attendance and service records are kept and maintained in the barangay
office
D. Posthumous nominations may be made for a public servant who died in the
line of duty or in the pursuit of his/her official duties and responsibilities as
a civil servant. Posthumous nominations should be formalized within 12
months from the time of death of the government official or employee; and
E. Those who are under extension of service are not qualified.

Prior to the nomination, the nominated official or employee must meet the
following qualifications:

1. Have rendered at least three (3) years of continuous government service

as of deadline of nominations’ submission. Accomplishments for which
the nominee is being recognized for should also be made within the last
three (3) years immediately prior to the nomination, and have been
consistently and continuously carried out by the nominee during said
period;

2. Have a performance rating of at least Very Satisfactory or its equivalent

for six (6) semestral or three (3) annual rating periods prior to the
nomination; and

3. Have not been found guilty of any administrative or criminal offense

involving moral turpitude or does not have any pending case against
them at the time of nomination.

Team members who did not meet the abovementioned qualification

requirements (Items 1 to 3) shall not be included in the nomination.

IV. Criteria for Evaluation

A. Presidential Lingkod Bayan and Civil Service Commission Pagasa Awards

1. Noteworthiness of Outstanding Performance/Contribution- The degree

of uniqueness and originality of outstanding performance or
contribution/s; implemented breakthroughs in the structure, system and
procedures in the delivery of services.

3
 2. Sustainability of Contribution - The extent to which the accomplishment
led to innovation/contribution which has been adopted; number of
individuals, communities, offices who benefited; and evidence of
sustained use or continuous implementation for at least three years or
longer.

3. Impact of Performance/Achievement – The extent to which the idea,

suggestion, innovation or invention is being used and its result; positive
outcomes; the resulting paradigm shift; and the amount of money saved.

4. Reliability and Effectiveness – The extent to which the innovation/idea

has effectively and efficiently addressed a pressing need/improved
service delivery.

5. Consistency of Performance – The degree of consistency manifested by

consistent outstanding performance based on historical data/work
record.

6. Demonstrated Teamwork, Cooperation, Camaraderie and

Cohesiveness (for group nominations) – The extent to which the group
members motivate and support each other or the degree to which group
members positively influence each other.

Each group/team member should have verifiable/actual contribution in

the attainment of the group/team’s accomplishment. This should be
specified in the nomination.

B. Outstanding Public Officials and Employees or the Dangal ng Bayan Award

1. Quality and Consistency of Behavioral Performance – The level of

consistency to which the nominee has manifested exemplary conduct
and noteworthiness of behavioral performance.

2. Impact of Behavioral Performance – The extent to which the

extraordinary act has created a powerful effect or impact on the
organization or public.

3. Risk or Temptation Inherent in the Work – The degree of risk and

temptation substantially present in the work.

4. Obscurity of the Position – The lowliness or insignificance of the position

in relation to the degree of performance and extraordinary norm/s
manifested.

5. Years of Service – The cumulative years of service that the nominee has
rendered in the government vis-à-vis his/her accomplishments.
6. Other similar circumstances or considerations in favor of the nominee,
as may be determined by the members of the Committee on Award for
Dangal ng Bayan.

4
V. Required Nomination Documents

Each nomination requires the submission of soft or scanned copy of the fully-
accomplished HAP nomination form, clearances and other documentary
requirements (see Letters A-N), with a Certification from the agency Human
Resource Management Officer that the documents submitted are authentic and
genuine. The nomination shall be submitted electronically to the CSC Field or
Regional Office where the agency is clustered.

A. Completely filled-out HAP Nomination Form:

HAP Form No. 1 – Nomination for the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award
and CSC Pagasa Award (Individual Category)

HAP Form No. 2 – Nomination for the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award
and CSC Pagasa Award (Group Category)

HAP Form No. 2-A – Information on the Members of the Group Nominee

HAP Form No. 3 – Nomination for the Outstanding Public Officials and
Employees Award or the Dangal ng Bayan Award

Each completely filled-up nomination form should be accompanied by a

write-up using the Nomination Write-up form. In no case shall the write-up
exceed the maximum allowable ten (10) pages of A4 size bond paper,
using Arial font size 12.

B. Nominee’s updated CS Form 212 or Personal Data Sheet with passport

size (4.5cm x 3.5cm) photo taken within the last six months prior to the
nomination

C. Certification from the Chairperson of the agency’s local, provincial,

regional or national Program on Awards and Incentives for Service
Excellence (PRAISE) Committee or its equivalent, stating that the
nomination has undergone deliberation by the Committee

In the case of group nomination composed of members from various

agencies, the Chairperson of the PRAISE Committee or its equivalent
and the Agency Head of the lead agency shall endorse the nomination.

D. Letter from the Agency Head endorsing the nomination to the CSC

Agency head refers to Department Secretary, Chairperson or President of

national government agencies, constitutional commissions, government-
owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions, and
state/local universities and colleges; heads of bureaus and agencies
attached to or under the Departments; as well as Governors or Mayors.
Heads of agencies also refer to the following officials:

Nominee Endorsing Head of Agency

Members/Staff of the Judiciary Chief Justice, Supreme Court

5
 Members/Staff of the Senate Senate President
Members/Staff of the House of Speaker of the House of
Representatives Representatives
Members/Staff of the Local Vice-Governor/Vice Mayor
Sanggunian
Governor/Mayor DILG Secretary
Vice-Governor/Vice-Mayor Governor/Mayor
Punong Barangay/Kagawad City/Municipal Mayor

Where the nominee is the Agency Head, endorsement by the superior

official is required, as follows:

Nominee Endorsing Head of Agency

Department Secretaries Executive Secretary
Heads of Bureaus and Agencies Department Secretary
attached to or under the
Departments
President of State Universities and Chairperson of the Board of
Colleges Regents
President of Government-owned Chairperson of the Board of
and Controlled Corporations Directors or Trustees
General Manager of Local Water Chairperson of the Board of
District Directors

Agencies with nominations endorsed by Agency Heads who are OIC-

designates should also submit a letter or a copy of the latter’s designation
order. The agency heads may also delegate the authority to sign the
endorsement to an authorized representative, provided that a copy of the
authority of the delegation shall be attached to the nomination folder.

If the agency has more than one nominee, an endorsement for all its
nominees may be submitted instead of individual endorsements. Group
nominations with team members from two or more departments/agencies
shall be separately endorsed by their respective agency heads.

E. Certification signed by the nominee that he/she has not been found guilty
of any administrative or criminal offense involving moral turpitude and
does not have any pending case at the time of nomination

A certification of no pending administrative or criminal case involving moral

turpitude issued by the highest-ranking Administrative Officer or Legal
Officer is required for posthumous nomination only

Detailed information or copy of decision on dismissed/decided case/s of

the nominee, if any

A nominee declared as semi-finalist shall again be required to submit a

self-certification that he/she has not been found guilty of any
administrative or criminal offense involving moral turpitude and does not

6
 have any pending administrative or criminal case. In case of non-
submission, the semi-finalist shall be disqualified.

F. Certification issued by the highest Human Resource Management Officer

(HRMO) that the individual nominee or each member of the group
nominee has obtained at least Very Satisfactory (VS) performance ratings
for six (6) semestral or three (3) annual rating periods prior to the
nomination. Copy of the rating forms need not be attached to the
nomination folder, however, the rating period/s should be clearly stated in
the Certificate.

A certificate of performance is no longer required for a nominee who is the

head of a department, agency, and elective official.

For a nominee occupying third level position, a certification from the

agency HRMO on the latest available Career Executive Service
Performance Evaluation System (CESPES) performance rating for six (6)
semestral or three (3) annual rating periods must be submitted.

G. Certification of No Unliquidated Cash Advance signed by the agency’s

Financial Officer/Accountant as of December 31 of the year prior to
nomination

H. Certification of No Disallowance issued by the Commission on Audit

(COA) Resident Auditor for previous accountabilities as of December 31
of the year prior to the nomination

In case a Notice of Disallowance is issued by COA, the qualification of a

nominee to join the Search shall be examined on a case-to-case basis
such that the merits of the specific ground or basis for the disallowance of
the notice of suspension would be considered.

Further, if the COA central office has already approved and confirmed the
decision of the originating COA office, said decision becomes executory if
no Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) had been issued by the Supreme
Court. Once there is already an obligation to refund, there should be an
official document showing that the nominee has started paying the refund
or is acknowledging his/her obligation under the law.

Non-refund despite the obligation will not make the nominee qualified to
join the Search.

I. Copy of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN) of the

individual nominee or each member of the group nominee for the year
prior to nomination, signed by the authorized officer administering the oath

All individual and group nominees MUST submit their SALN.

J. Copy of nominee’s Appointment Paper

7
 K. Commission on Election (COMELEC) Certification of Elected Candidate
(for elective official)

L. Updated Service Record duly certified by the agency’s Human Resource

Management Officer (HRMO)

The nominee’s plantilla position as reflected in the Service Record shall

be the position indicated in the nomination form.

M. Nominee’s valid clearances to be secured from the following agencies in

the locality:
- National Bureau of Investigation
- BIR Tax Clearance
- Police Clearance

The following clearances shall be secured by the CSC:

1. Clearance for Pendency or No Pendency of Administrative Case shall

be issued by the CSC Regional Office (CSCRO).

2. Clearances from Office of the Ombudsman, Sandiganbayan, CSC

Central Office-Office for Legal Affairs, and the Commission on Human
Rights shall be secured by the HAP Secretariat for the semi-finalists of
the Search.

3. Clearance from the Office of the President shall also be secured by the
HAP Secretariat for presidential appointees selected as semi-finalists
of the Search.

N. Group nominations with team members from two or more

departments/agencies shall comply with all documentary requirements
coming from their respective departments/agencies

O. Certification of the agency HRMO of the authenticity of documents

submitted

Soft or scanned copies of annual reports, recommendations from

institutions/personalities, news clippings and certificates of training, seminars
and recognition should not be included in the nomination.

All nominations and documents of the awardees of the Search shall be

considered as permanent records of the Commission, and shall no longer be
returned.

VI. Write-up of Accomplishments

A. The write-up must highlight outstanding accomplishments or exemplary

norms of conduct manifested within the last three years. Presentation of
accomplishments or norms manifested should be in order of significance,
complete with descriptions, justifications and should adhere to the following
pointers:

8
  Use specific terms. Define/clarify terms such as “assisted”,
“contributed” or “facilitated”;

 Outstanding accomplishments of exemplary norms displayed and

impact in brief, factual, and in bullet form;

 Present impact of accomplishments by indicating how it was

sustained/adopted, problems addressed, savings generated,
people/office benefited and/or transactions facilitated; and

 The nomination write-up of heads of offices, agencies and local

government units should present individual accomplishments or
behavioral norms, not the accomplishments of the entire agency
or local government unit.

B. The following information must be adequately provided:

1. For Group Nomination (Presidential Lingkod Bayan and CSC Pagasa

Awards categories):

Name of team or group, names of qualified team members with their

respective positions, status of appointment, length of government
service and contribution/accomplishment of each member enumerated
in detail. Please refer to HAP Form Nos. 2 and 2-A for details.

2. For outstanding work accomplishment, state whether or not the

accomplishments presented are part of the regular duties of the nominee
or if these are his/her own initiative. If part of nominee’s regular duties
or mandate, cite justifications on why the accomplishments are
considered exceptional or extraordinary. The impact of the contribution
must be substantially elaborated:

 Nationwide impact of the exceptional/extraordinary contribution to

public interest, security and patrimony (for Presidential Lingkod
Bayan award category)

 Impact of the outstanding contribution to more than one department

of the government (for CSC Pagasa award category)

3. For exemplary conduct and ethical behavior, present the exemplary

norms of conduct manifested/displayed and provide justifications why
the norm/s displayed are considered exemplary.

C. Limitation on Nomination

A. The nomination write-up should only be for a maximum of 10 pages (A4

size bond paper, Arial size 12 font) to include the summary of
accomplishments, impact and other information.

9
 B. While there are three award categories under the Search, an employee
or official should be nominated to only one award category.

C. Honor awardees or those who have been previously conferred with any
of the three awards: (Presidential Lingkod Bayan, Outstanding Public
Officials and Employees or Dangal ng Bayan, and Civil Service
Commission Pagasa) can still be nominated to the same or to a different
award category after five years from the conferment of his/her award,
provided that the nomination is based on a new set of accomplishments
and/or exemplary norms/behavior manifested.

VII. Procedure for Nomination

Government agencies are expected to nominate their exemplars. There is no

limit to the number of nominations which the agency may submit in any of the
award categories provided the requirements are complied with. The HRMO of
the agency shall be responsible for preparing the nomination of the official or
employee or group/team.

1. The Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE)

Committee or its equivalent, shall review and recommend the
nomination for endorsement of the head of agency.

2. The nominations of the Head of Department, Agency and elective official

need not be submitted to the PRAISE Committee. However, all other
documentary requirements have to be complied with.

3. Pursuant to CSC Resolution No. 2000359, promulgated on 17 February

2020, on the Revised Guidelines on the Conferment of Recognition and
Award under the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence
in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM), agencies conferred
with Maturity Level IV recognition shall be automatically nominated to
the CSC Pagasa Award group category of the Search for Outstanding
Government Workers.

The CSC’s Human Resource Policies and Standards Office (HRPSO)

will inform the CSCRO concerned regarding the automatic nomination
of an agency. The CSCRO shall then advise the agency regarding the
preparation and submission of nomination requirements for the CSC
Pagasa group category of the Search.

As a requirement for group nominees under the search guidelines, the

PRIME-HRM nominee shall select its group members which should not
exceed five (5) members. The agency HRM Office, being instrumental
in achieving the PRIME-HRM Level IV maturity, shall represent the
agency with the HRM Office head as the team leader together with four
(4) other members from said office.

The period of nomination shall be within two years from the conferment
of the PRIME-HRM award.

10
 PRIME-HRM nominee with incomplete documentary requirements shall
be deemed ineligible to the Search.

4. The Agency Head shall approve the nomination and shall issue an
endorsement letter prior to submission of nomination to the CSC Field
or Regional Offices.

Any private individual or organization may recommend an individual or group of

individuals for a specific category of the Search, to the concerned government
agency. It shall undergo evaluation of the PRAISE Committee and endorsement
of the head of agency, if qualified.

Government officials and employees who are winners of private award-giving

bodies may also be nominated to the Search for Outstanding Government
Workers, provided that all the requirements for the Search are complied with.

VIII. Procedure for Screening and Evaluation

A. Regional Level Screening

The CSC Regional Office shall create a five-member Regional Committee

on Awards (RCA) composed of the Regional Director, Assistant Regional
Director, Public Assistance and Liaison Division (PALD) Chief, and two
representatives from the Regional Multi-Sectoral Advisory Council
(RMSAC), the Regional Council on Human Resource Management
Practitioners (RCHRMP) or the academe.

The RCA shall evaluate the qualified nominations submitted based on

Sections IV to V of the Guidelines and select the regional winners of the
Search.

The PALD shall serve as the Regional HAP Secretariat. It shall download
and screen all electronically submitted nominations with complete
documentary requirements, and determine the correctness of the category
vis-à-vis the accomplishment/s presented. It shall shortlist qualified
nominees based on Sections III to V of the Guidelines and provide soft or
scanned copies of the nominations to the Regional Committee on Awards
for deliberation.

The CSCROs are responsible for coordinating with the agencies regarding
electronic submission of the nominee’s lacking documents and for ensuring
completion of the same prior to electronic submission to the Regional
Committee on Awards for deliberation. A nomination with incomplete
documentary requirements will no longer be included in the Search.

Soft or scanned copies of nominations received by the CSCROs which are

not under their jurisdiction shall be electronically forwarded to the CSCRO
concerned, NOT to the National HAP Secretariat.

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 Only those selected by the RCA as regional winners will advance to the
second level screening.

Nominations of regional winners should be officially transmitted online by

the CSCRO to the National HAP Secretariat. Further, a list of all qualified
and non-qualified nominations received for the three award categories duly
signed by the CSCRO Director MUST likewise be submitted. The list should
include the nominee’s name, plantilla position, level of position, agency and
award category. It should also indicate if the nominations received have
complete or incomplete documentary requirements.

B. National Level Screening

The Public Assistance and Information Office (PAIO) shall serve as the
National HAP Secretariat (NHS). It shall convene the National Committees
on Awards (NCA) composed of the following:

1. Committee on the Presidential or Lingkod Bayan and Civil Service

Commission Pagasa Awards

o Member of the Commission, CSC

o Chief Protocol Officer of the Office of the President
o Three (3) prominent Filipino citizens who are not in the
government service

2. Committee on the Dangal ng Bayan Award

o Chairperson of the CSC

o Ombudsman of the Office of the Ombudsman
o Chairperson of the Commission on Audit
o Two (2) government officials/employees appointed by the
President of the Philippines

The NHS will evaluate all electronically submitted regional winners’

nominations based on Sections III to VI of the Guidelines and determine the
correctness of the category vis-à-vis the accomplishment/s presented. It
shall come up with a shortlist of national qualifiers to be submitted to the
NCA. The final list of national qualifiers shall also be provided to the
CSCROs.

The NCA shall evaluate the national qualifiers’ nominations based on their
extraordinary accomplishments and exemplary ethical behavior, and shall
come up with a shortlist of semi-finalists. The names and photos of the semi-
finalists shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation to request
the public to send their feedback via e-mail. Simultaneously, they shall be
subjected to background investigation and remote interview. The NHS shall
consolidate the feedback gathered from the public and the background
investigation report and shall forward these, together with the video of the
remote interview, via online to the NCA for evaluation. Thereafter, the NCA
shall select the winners of the CSC Pagasa and Dangal ng Bayan awards,

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 and the finalists of the Presidential or Lingkod Bayan award for
decision/approval of the President.

IX. Procedure for Committees on Awards Deliberation

Pursuant to Item 5.6, General Guidelines of CSC MC 10 dated May 7, 2020,

“Agencies may use videoconferencing/teleconferencing in conducting meetings
to minimize face to face interaction”. Hence, the same procedure shall be used
in the committee on award deliberations.

A. Selection of Regional Winners

Upon electronic submission of the qualified nominations by the RHS, the RCA
shall evaluate all nominations submitted to them and select the regional
qualifiers.

The RCA will then each come up with their shortlist of regional finalists and
email them to the RHS for tallying of votes. The RCA shall convene on an
agreed date through video/teleconferencing to deliberate and agree on their
choices and select the regional winners. The RHS shall draw a Committee
Resolution for each award category identifying the regional winners and shall
e-mail the same to the RCA for confirmation and e-signature.

The RHS shall transmit the regional winners’ nominations via e-mail to the NHS
for further evaluation and for consideration in the national search.

B. Selection of National Semi-finalists

Upon online receipt of the regional winners’ nominations, the NHS shall
evaluate them and select the national qualifiers whose nominations shall be
transmitted electronically to the NCA for their evaluation.

The NCA shall each come up with a shortlist of semi-finalists and send via email
to the NHS for tallying of votes. The NCA shall convene on an agreed date
through video/teleconferencing, to deliberate and agree on their choices and
select the semi-finalists. The NHS shall draw a Certificate of Recognition for
each award category identifying the semi-finalists and shall e-mail the same,
together with the tally sheet, to the NCA for confirmation and e-signature.

The NCA shall also provide the NHS via email with specific instructions for the
background investigators to look into the semi-finalist’s accomplishment/s or
ethical behavior which require more information or clarification. For the remote
interview, they shall agree on one common question which shall be asked of all
the semi-finalists to know them more up close and to observe their behavior
and demeanor. The same shall be captured by the NHS and emailed to the
background investigators.

The selected semi-finalists shall be subjected to background

investigation/validation and remote interview. A public advisory on the list of
semi-finalists shall also be posted at the CSC website and social media
platforms to encourage public feedback on the semi-finalists.

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C. Conduct of Background Investigation and Remote Interview on HAP Semi-
finalists

The NHS shall initiate the conduct of background investigation (BI) through the
issuance of an Office Order for the HAP background investigators/validators to
perform their BI tasks. The nomination documents of the semi-finalists, together
with the instructions from the NCA, shall likewise be forwarded to them
electronically.

As a matter of procedure, the background investigators shall review the

nomination documents of the semi-finalist assigned to them. They shall draw a
BI plan to identify the possible individuals to interview on the semi-finalist’s
accomplishments and ethical behavior. They shall also review the Manual on
the Conduct of Background Investigation for questions to ask their interviewees.

Similarly, pursuant to Item 5.6, General Guidelines of CSC MC 10 dated May

7, 2020, “Agencies may use videoconferencing/teleconferencing in conducting
meetings to minimize face to face interaction”. The same procedure shall be
used in the conduct of background investigation and remote interview on HAP
semi-finalists.

BI and remote interview shall be conducted through phone call,

video/teleconferencing, e-mail and other non face-to-face modes of
communication. The BI reports and the required attachments should be signed
by the Regional Director and electronically submitted to the NHS within the set
deadline.

The BI reports shall then be submitted via email to the NCA for evaluation and
deliberation.

D. Selection of Finalists/Awardees

The NHS shall send electronically the background investigation (BI) reports on
the semi-finalists together with the comments from the public and summary of
clearances to the NCA for their evaluation.

The NCA shall each come up with their shortlist of winners (for the Dangal ng
Bayan and CSC Pagasa categories) or finalists (for the Presidential Lingkod
Bayan category) and email them to the NHS for tallying of votes. The NCA shall
again convene on an agreed date through video/teleconferencing, to deliberate
and agree on their choices and select the winners/finalists. The NHS shall draw
a Committee Resolution for each award category identifying the
winners/finalists, and shall e-mail the same, together with the tally sheet, to the
NCA for confirmation and e-signature.

A letter submitting the Committee Resolution for the Presidential Lingkod Bayan
finalists for approval and confirmation of the President shall be electronically
transmitted to the Office of the President.

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X. Definition of Terms

Terms Definition
Regional Winner Nominee whose nomination has complete documentary
requirements, including agency endorsement, has been
shortlisted by the Regional HAP Secretariat based on Items III
and V of the Guidelines and has been selected by the Regional
Committee on Awards to advance to the national search.

A regional winner is not entitled or will not receive any cash

reward as he/she shall still vie for the national search. A
Certificate of Participation will instead be given by the CSC
Regional Office, signed by the CSC Regional Director and
members of the Regional Committee on Awards.

Nominations of Regional Winners submitted to the HAP

Secretariat with incomplete documentary requirements (e.g. no
agency endorsement, expired clearances, or nominees did not
meet the qualifications, among others) are NOT eligible for the
national search.
National Qualifier Regional winner with complete requirements and qualified
based on the existing guidelines, as determined after
documentary review by the HAP Secretariat, is endorsed to the
National Committee on Awards
National Semi-finalist Semi-finalist is shortlisted by the National Committee on
Awards from among the national qualifiers, and who will be
subjected to background investigation.
Presidential Lingkod Finalist is selected by the National Committee on Awards from
Bayan Finalist among the semi-finalists and endorsed to the Office of the
President for confirmation.

XI. Grounds for Disqualification of Nominations

A. Non-compliance with the guidelines on the submission of complete

documentary requirements (no agency endorsement, observance of
deadline, accuracy and completeness of information required in the
nomination form, maximum number of pages for the accomplishment
write-up, clearances and other required documents) shall render the
nominee ineligible for the Search.

B. Non-compliance with the obligation to refund COA central office-

approved or confirmed disallowance of benefit/s

C. Any misrepresentation made in any of the documents submitted shall be

a ground for disqualification and for disciplinary action against the
certifying nominee/authority pursuant to applicable CS laws and rules.

D. A nominee requesting Member/s of the Committee on Awards and/or

Member/s of the HAP Secretariat, directly or thru intermediaries, special
favor or consideration.
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 E. Group members with lacking documentary requirements shall be
automatically removed from the team and shall be considered ineligible
to/disqualified from the Search.

F. Nominee, whether individual or member of a group, who was conferred

the award in the same or different category within the last five years prior
to the nomination period shall be disqualified from the Search.

XII. Submission of Nominations

Online submission of nominations to the Presidential or Lingkod Bayan, the

Outstanding Public Officials and Employees or the Dangal ng Bayan and CSC
or Pagasa Awards categories under the annual Search for Outstanding
Government Workers shall be submitted to any Civil Service Commission Field
or Regional Office must not be later than the last working day of March of
each year, subject to changes upon prior notice.

Below is the calendar of activities in relation to the 2021 Search and the years
thereafter:

PERIOD ACTIVITY
January-March Search for Outstanding Government Workers
nomination period
April-May Regional screening and selection of regional
winners
June-August National deliberation, background
investigation/validation of accomplishments
and selection of winners
September Awarding Rites for the Outstanding Government
Workers

XIII. Effectivity

These guidelines shall be implemented for the 2021 Search for Outstanding
Government Workers and the years thereafter.

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