The Civil Service Commission (CSC) named Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and City Administrator Michael Victor Alimurung among the country’s most outstanding public servants for 2025.
Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., together with CSC Chairperson Atty. Marilyn Yap, conferred the Gawad Lingkod Bayan ng Pangulo on Mayor Belmonte and the Gawad Pag-asa on Alimurung during the Pagpupugay 2025: Parangal sa mga Lingkod Bayani awarding ceremony held at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday morning.
Belmonte, the National Capital Region’s Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardee for three consecutive years, was recognized for her leadership in placing inclusivity at the core of all city government programs, anchored on Quezon City’s slogan Kasama Ka sa Pag-unlad.
“Sa ilalim ng kanyang pamumuno, ang slogan na Kasama Ka sa Pag-unlad ay naging makatotohanan at nararamdaman ng nasasakupan. Naging working laboratory ang Quezon City ng mga best practices sa digital governance, bukas at transparent na procurement, matatag na disaster preparedness, inklusibong serbisyong panlipunan, at maayos na urban planning—mga proyektong inilatag para sa mas maayos na kinabukasan ng lungsod,” ayon sa annotation ng awarding ceremony.
Under Belmonte’s administration, the Quezon City government advanced inclusive and equality-focused initiatives, particularly benefiting vulnerable sectors, while prioritizing good governance through open and participative leadership.
“Ang parangal na ito ay hindi para sa akin o sa pamahalaang lungsod, kundi para sa lahat ng QCitizens na patuloy na nagsasakripisyo para sa kanilang sarili, pamilya, at komunidad. It is my duty to serve all of you and provide the services that you need and deserve, to ensure that everyone is included, everyone is welcome, at Kasama ang Lahat sa Pag-unlad,” Belmonte said.
Meanwhile, Alimurung was recognized for leading innovation and digital transformation efforts that improved government processes and service delivery in Quezon City.
He spearheaded the establishment of QC E-Services, which streamlined applications for various city programs, including Pangkabuhayang QC, social welfare assistance, and scholarship services.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the CSC. This award reflects the city government’s dedication to ensuring that residents are well taken care of. It is also a recognition of all public servants who believe in our vision and work selflessly with us. Without them, these pioneering programs would remain on the drawing board,” Alimurung said.
The Gawad Lingkod Bayan, formerly known as the Search for Outstanding Government Workers, honors public servants who go beyond their official duties and exemplify ethical, effective, and people-centered governance.