CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – One is an air force technician who invented devices that have made the disposal of bombs much safer and less costly, and the other is a local government worker who sped off despite a hail of bullets raining from holduppers eyeing P2 million government funds in his vehicle.
They are both Central Luzon residents who were among those named yesterday in Malacanang as recipients of the 2011 Oustanding Public Officials and Employees in connection with the 111thPhilippine Civil Service Anniversary, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) here said.
Jesus Fabian, explosive disposal technician of the Philippine Air Force in Clark, Pampanga was named Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardee for his bomb-related inventions, while Joey Fernandez, an administrative assistant III of the San Jose del Monte City government in Bulacan was the Dangal ng Bayan Awardee.
The CSC said Fabian is the education supervisor at the Research and Development, Training, Flight, and Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit of the 770 Special Operations Combat Support Group based in Clark.
“He conceptualized the production of so-called one bomb trailer and 10 disruptor kits under the Self-Reliance Defense Posture, Research, and Development Program of the air force,” the CSC said.
It noted that these equipment, now used by the Philippine Air Force, saved the government some P3,830, 216 and that they have made the job of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) staff “safer and more efficient.”
“Fabian conducts courses on bomb awareness , bomb threat management, and ammunition management for other Armed Forces units, government agencies, local government units, and non-government organizations,” the CSC said.
On the other hand, Fernandez, was chosen Dangal ng Bayan awardee for his bravery, the CSC said.
On Sept. 15 last year, he was driving with San Jose del Monte City treasurer Estelita Mendoza and her two female assistants on board after they withdrew P2 million from the Landbank of the Philippines branch in Tungkong Mangga in their city, when they were intercepted by four armed men in two motorcycles.
The suspect fired at the tires of the vehicle as well as its passengers, killing Mendoza. Despite the rain of bullets and vehicle tires that were already flat, Fernandez sped off to the safety of city hall, leaving the suspects without a cent from the withdrawn funds.
Fernandez then drove Mendoza to a hospital but she was declared dead on arrival.
The CSC said the Presidential Lingkod Bayan award is given to an individual for exceptional contributions that had nationwide impact on public interest, security and patrimony.
On the other hand, the Dangal ng Bayan is awarded to an individual for performance of extraordinary act of public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior based on the eight norms of conduct specified under RA 6713.
