Pagpupugay sa mga Natatanging Kawani: NEUST PRAISEs ‘quiet heroes’

“Itong programa na ito ay ginagawa natin taun-taon bilang pagkilala sa mga natatanging serbisyong ipinakita ng ating mga kawani at iba’t ibang departamento sa ating Pamantasan. Ito ang pagkakataon na ipagmamalaki natin na tayo ay mga kawani ng gobyerno, dahil dito sa NEUST ay itinataguyod natin ang tunay na diwa ng paglilingkod—ang tinatawag natin na public service.”

These were the words of Atty. Bembol Castillo, NEUST Vice President for Administration, Business, and Finance, and Chairman of the University’s Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Committee, during his address at the awarding ceremony held on September 30, 2025, at the Closed Gymnasium, NEUST Sumacab Campus.

The event, titled “Pagpupugay sa mga Natatanging Kawani,” is an annual recognition program organized by the University’s Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), aimed at honoring the dedication, loyalty, and outstanding contributions of NEUST’s faculty, staff, departments, and administrative offices.

This year, a total of two hundred and six (206) individuals and seven (7) departments were recognized across various award categories, including Global Ambassador Award, NEUST Achievement Award, Personal Motivation and Incentive Award, Leadership Excellence Award, Global Research Publication Excellence Award, Intellectual Property Excellence Award, Outstanding Extension Project Team, Innovative College/Campus Award, NEUST Global Beacon Award, Innovative Administrative Unit Award, Best Organizational Unit Award, Ang Masinop Award, Career and Self-Development Award, Service Award, Personal Motivation and Incentive Award, NEUST Achievement Award, President’s Special Recognition Award, and Gawad ng Pangulo Award — the highest distinction bestowed during the ceremony.

Three distinguished university officials received the Gawad ng Pangulo, in recognition of their exemplary leadership and long-standing commitment to NEUST’s mission: Dr. Jocelyn Cruz, Dean of the Graduate School, Ms. Lorna Ejar, University Budget Officer IV, and Dr. Analyn Gamit, Director of the Quality Assurance Office.

In her response, Dr. Jocelyn Cruz reflected on her decades of service at NEUST, expressing appreciation for the trust and support she has received throughout her career.

“Maraming salamat sa inyo. Kayo ang kasama ko sa pagtupad ko sa tungkulin ko bilang pinuno ng mga department na iyon,” she said, sharing the honor with every office she has been part of.

In her message, NEUST President Dr. Rhodora Jugo paid tribute to the awardees, whom she called the ‘quiet heroes’, emphasizing that their work often goes unnoticed but remains essential to the life and future of the institution.

“Today, we shine the spotlight on them. We honor their hard work, their service, and their devotion to our beloved university. Our outstanding employees are more than workers—they are builders of dreams and keepers of hope.”

As NEUST continues to grow and evolve, the PRAISE serves not only as a celebration of professional excellence but also as a reaffirmation of the university’s commitment to genuine public service.

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