Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday recognized the exemplary service of the agency’s civilian employees and urged them to uphold higher standards of performance, in celebration of the 124th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary.

Teodoro made the call during the 2024 DND-wide Exemplary Supervisors and Employees Awards at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Commissioned Officers’ Country at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Teodoro lauded the awardees for their well-deserved recognition, emphasizing their dedication and hard work are critical to the continued progress and efficiency within the organization.

He also appreciated the strides made in improving the physical work environment in the DND, including better office space and ergonomic upgrades, while acknowledging that much remains to be done in terms of creating a more sustainable and agile workforce.

Teodoro, DND-Civil Service Commission (CSC) Field Office director Fe Lacaba and DND Office of Human Resource officer-in-charge director Arsenio Andolong led the awarding rites for 12 exemplary supervisors and employees from various DND offices, including the AFP, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), Government Arsenal (GA), and Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).

The awardees include Joan Marabut and Engr. Jenie Lynn Fuentes from the DND Proper; Joas Karl Cruz and Engr. Ruel Lizaso from the AFP; Maria Eloisa Santelices and Sonia Grace Asuncion from PVAO; Gee Lyn Basa and Zenaida Taccaban from NDCP; Giovanni Cortez and Luisito Haciñas from GA; and Dr. Karl Marvin Tan and Althea Galvan from VMMC.

Highlighting the unique challenges faced by the DND, Teodoro said existing regulations and constraints hinder the organization’s ability to fully carry out its mission.

“Working under the current legal environment is not doing us any good. We need to create an agile, evolving, and operationally secure organization,” he said.

Teodoro emphasized the importance of fostering a workforce equipped not just with academic qualifications, but with practical expertise, particularly in critical fields like cybersecurity.

He also urged cooperation from the CSC, recognizing that changes in policy and legislation are essential to support the agency’s mission.

He called for a reevaluation of civil service rules, particularly to accommodate the evolving nature of national security threats and the specialized skill sets needed to address them.

He also emphasized his commitment to rewarding employees within the bounds of the law, while stressing the need for heightened performance standards.

“I will be also unstinting for the benefits of our family, for you, especially. However, I will be demanding more of performance and accuracy, because that is my job, as a mentor, for everyone. And in the same standard I put on everyone, I put on myself,” he said. (PNA)