“Magsilbi nawa kayong inspirasyon sa mga bago at mga nakababata nating mga kasama sa ating Pamahalaang Lungsod.”
This call was made by Mayor Honey Lacuna as she led the awarding of employees who have shown years of loyalty in service to the city government of Manila. The awarding is one of the activities lined up in celebration of the 453rd ‘Araw ng Maynila’ on June 24, 2024.
The mayor thanked the employees for their many years of dedicated service to the city of Manila and its residents, saying their contribution and hard work has led to where Manila is today.
At the “Gawad Pagkilala sa mga Kawani ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Maynila,” Lacuna was joined by Vice Mayor Yul Servo in feting the 25 years (263 employes); 30 years (158); 35 years (52); 40 years (12); over 40 years (11) and 45 year(1) in service awardees.
The awardees are workers in the city coming from various departments, bureaus and offices.
“Sabi nga, marami ang naghahangad na mapabilang sa mga tinatawag na civil servants, ngunit iilan lamang ang nabibigyan ng pagkakataon. Ilang beses na nating napag-alaman na napakatibay maging isang empleyado ng gobyerno dahil sa tinatawag na “security of tenure”,” Lacuna said.
She cited that during the pandemic, only civil servants continued having jobs and earning income while many more from the private sector have lost their livelihood and employment.
“Ito sana ang mapahalagahan nating lahat at mapagsikapan pa nating pagbutihin ang ating mga gawain sa pamahalaan,” she said.
Lacuna added: “Tulad nga ng palagi kong ipinapaalala, walang ibang pinaka-higit na sinasandalan ang taumbayan sa mga panahon ng kagipitan, kapighatian at kahirapan kundi ang kanilang pamahalaan. Kaya’t marapat lamang na tayo ay palaging handang maging maayos at mabuti sa paglilingkod sa publiko.”
“Hindi lang ito, pahabaan ng panahon sa serbisyo. Mas maganda sana, mapagnilayan natin kung gaano tayo nag-alay ng ating mga sariling sipag at pagpupunyagi, nagbahagi ng ating kasanayan, talino at galing. At higit sa lahat, kung gaano tayo nagpadama ng malasakit sa ating kapwa,” the mayor stressed.
Government work, she underscored, is not about length of service as civil servants are there to pave the way for a better world and hope for a brighter future not only for the city but the entire country as well.
“Sa lahat ng ating mga awardees… congratulations! Hindi biro ang napakaraming taon na pinagsikapan ninyong paglingkuran ang ating mga kapwa Manilenyo,” Lacuna said.
To the retirees this year and the following years, the mayor had this to say: “hangad natin ang inyong masayang retirement. Sabi nga nila, goodbye tension, hello pension.”
