MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and City Administrator Michael Victor Alimurung were among the Philippine’s most outstanding public servants for 2025, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said on Thursday.
CSC Chairman Marilyn Yap said she and Executive Secretary Ralph Recto conferred the Gawad Lingkod Bayan, formerly the Search for Outstanding Government Workers, on Belmonte and Alimurung on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the ‘Pagpupugay 2025: Parangal sa mga Lingkod Bayani’ awarding ceremony at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday.
Belmonte, who has been the National Capital Region's Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardee for three consecutive years, was recognized for her leadership in ensuring inclusivity as the heart of all city government programs, deeply anchored in the city's overall slogan ‘Kasama Ka Sa Pag-unlad.’
During the event, the CSC cited the city under Belmonte’s stewardship of being a "working laboratory" of best practices especially in digital governance, transparency in procurement system and stable disaster preparedness, among others.
Under Belmonte's administration, the city government has advanced inclusive, equality-focused initiatives for ‘QCitizens,’ particularly those in vulnerable sectors, according to a statement issued by the city’s Public Affairs and Information Services Department.
"It is my duty to serve all of you and provide all the services that you need and deserve, to ensure that everyone is included, everyone is welcome and all are included and part of our progress and development,” the city chief executive said.
Alimurung led the city government in pioneering innovation and digital transformation that propelled better processes and system reforms in delivering services to the residents.
He spearheaded the establishment of QC E-services, which streamlined the application process for various city services, including ‘Pangkabuhayang QC,’ social welfare assistance and scholarship programs.
"It is an honor to be recognized by CSC. This award reflects the city government's dedication to making sure that the residents are well taken care of by their city,” Alimurung said.
