By Kenneth Marcos 
Early one Monday morning in Quezon City, two senior citizens walked into a government office hoping for help with their land documents. What they experienced instead was patience, respect, and fast service—an encounter that later led to recognition for seven public servants who went beyond their duties.
Seven employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) were honored as Gantimpala Agad awardees during the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Awarding Ceremony. The recognition was held during the agency’s weekly flag-raising ceremony at the National Ecology Center in Quezon City.
The ceremony was led by Officer-in-Charge Assistant Regional Directors Ma. Teresa G. Aquino for Management Services and Engr. Henry P. Pacis for Technical Services, with the support of Administrative Division Chief Jan S. Bautista. The event highlighted the importance of good public service and the positive impact government workers can have on ordinary citizens.
The awardees included security personnel Ms. Melanie Malinang and Ms. Josephine Emit; Administrative Division staff Ms. Elena M. Picaña, Ms. Femily M. Santos, and Mr. Michael C. Alcaraz; and Surveys and Mapping Division employees Ms. Whilma Joie M. Aquino and Mr. John Rick A. Calpo.
The Gantimpala Agad Award is given to employees who receive positive feedback from clients for their courteous, prompt, and efficient service. In this case, the recognition stemmed from a transaction on January 22, when two senior citizens from Caloocan City requested a technical description and blueprint of their property.
According to DENR-NCR, the senior citizens were assisted with care and clarity, despite the technical nature of their request. They noted how staff members patiently explained the process, guided them through the requirements, and handled their concerns with professionalism and respect. For elderly clients, such treatment can make a stressful task easier and more manageable.
In a letter addressed to the agency, Mrs. Mila Sia expressed her gratitude to the DENR-NCR team. She praised the employees for their dedication, kindness, and efficiency, saying their actions reflected true public service. Her letter became the basis for the employees’ nomination and eventual recognition.
DENR-NCR officials said the award reflects the agency’s commitment to improving frontline services and ensuring that clients—especially senior citizens and vulnerable groups—are treated with dignity. They stressed that while policies and systems are important, it is the attitude and values of employees that shape public trust in government.
The PRAISE program is part of the government’s broader effort to motivate civil servants and recognize those who demonstrate excellence, integrity, and compassion in their work. By highlighting positive examples, agencies hope to inspire other employees to deliver the same level of service.
As government offices continue to serve millions of Filipinos each year, simple acts of kindness and efficiency can leave a lasting impression. For the seven DENR-NCR awardees, their recognition serves as a reminder that public service, when done with heart, truly makes a difference.
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