President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday called on new career executive service officers (CESOs) to continue upholding the highest ethical standards in their public service careers, reminding them that their work “affects millions of FIlipinos.”

Speaking during the oath-taking of 146 newly appointed CESOs and the awarding of the Presidential Gawad CES Award in Malacañang, Marcos challenged the new CESOs to “reinvent” themselves and the bureaucracy to ensure a better service to the people.

“So, to our newly appointed CESOs, as you join this esteemed group and reaffirm your duties to provide quality and faithful service to the people, I would like to remind you that you have also taken on the Herculean task of upholding the highest ethical standards in your career wherever it is that you are serving,” Marcos said.

The President said the CES Board shall remain true to its purpose of cultivating government executives and “leave no room for stagnancy.”

“The bar is set quite high every single day, and for a good reason: It is because your work affects millions of Filipinos and inspires generations beyond your tenure,” Marcos said.

The Chief Executive congratulated the newly appointed CESOs, saying that their membership in the CES confirms their “strong sense of purpose.”

“I challenge you to join me in reinventing ourselves as civil servants and the bureaucracy, to provide the stability and continuity that we will need for our long-term programs and visions for them to succeed,” he said.

Presidential Gawad awardees

In the same ceremony in Manila, Marcos led the conferment of the Presidential Gawad CES Award for 2021, 2022 and 2023 to four government executives.

The awardees were Maria Josefina Abilay, Director IV of the Department of Science and Technology-Mimaropa; Maria Teresa Camba, Assistant Secretary for Regional Development of the Department of Information and Communications Technology; Miguel Marc Aposin, Schools Division Superintendent of Capiz province; and Eduardo Jimmy Quilang, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Research of the Philippine Rice Research Institute.

Established in 2008, the Gawad CES Award recognizes outstanding CES members for their exemplary performance and significant contributions, particularly in the areas of innovation, information and communications technology, social services, administrative reforms and public policy.

Marcos hailed the awardees for finding solutions to problems that beset Filipinos, especially those in isolated areas.

“You have elevated the bureaucracy and truly transformed [the] lives of those that you have served. Congratulations on being the worthy recipients of the Presidential Gawad CES!” the President said.

According to Marcos, his administration will continue to strengthen the CES as part of the targets under the Philippine Development Plan 2023 to 2028. (PNA)