BALANGA CITY — The Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) was bestowed with the prestigious Presidential Lingkod Bayan award in Malacanang Palace Wednesday.
No less than President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. himself handed the award to BPSU president Dr. Ruby Santos-Matibag achieved from the result of the 2024 search for Outstanding Government Workers, a project of the Civil Service Commission.
The project aims to recognize and honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the implementation of efficient, cost-efficient and betterment of government operations and consistently demonstrate exemplary behavior and ethics.
Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia 3rd congratulated BPSU, especially its Health Beyond Bars program team that was cited by the CSC.
Matibag is the team leader with Associate Professors Monica Hipolito, Meyan Rose Malabanan, Maria Elinor Soriano and Melvin Escartin as members who conceptualized and implemented the Health Beyond Bars program.
“The program provides healthcare to persons deprived of liberty. On its 10th year, the research-based extension program improved PDL’s health condition and situation through the provision of health education and medical services,” Matibag said.
“From running the program in one jail facility, the team now implements the program in more than 25 jails in Region 3 and four jails in Region 4A. Aside from health needs, the team also advocated for the PDL’s mental and social well-being by providing activities, training and educational programs,” she added.
“These initiatives resulted in the overall improvement in the quality of life of the PDL’s,” the BPSU president noted.
