Dr. Flordeliza H. Bordey, DA-PhilRice Deputy Executive Director for Special Concerns, is one of this year’s Presidential Lingkod Bayan awardees recognized on Nov. 15 in a virtual ceremony where President Rodrigo Duterte bestowed the awards.

Dr. Bordey, who has been in government service for 21 years, is a distinguished economist, policy advocate, and rice research for development practitioner. She currently serves as the head of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Program Management Office.

In the awards ceremony, she said that she considers her job as an opportunity to serve Filipino farmers and that in this way, she feels connected to their development.

“There will always be people who look down on government efforts. [But] for me, as long as there are people who benefit from my services, especially the farmers, then I will continue to serve. Their smiles, gratitude, and testimonies bring me joy, and are enough to keep me going. These drive me not only to continue but also to iterate, innovate, and improve to [be able to] deliver better services to them,” she said.

The economist has made significant accomplishments in policy research and advocacy, and in the conceptualization and implementation of RCEF-Seed Program.
Under her leadership, the RCEF Seed Program has distributed more than 7 million bags of certified seeds in three planting seasons from 2020 to 2021 dry and wet seasons. This benefitted more than 1.2 million farmers in almost 1,000 cities/municipalities in 57 provinces. The yield of farmer-beneficiaries has improved by 145-400kg/ha.

She has also authored more than 50 publications and received more than 10 awards.

The Presidential Lingkod Bayan award is given by the Civil Service Commission to individuals or groups for their exceptional or extraordinary contributions resulting in nationwide impact on public interest, security, and patrimony.