The Advanced Science and Technology Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-ASTI) was recently recognized for the efforts and contributions if its personnel to nation-building and good governance by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). In the 2019 Search for Outstanding Government Workers of the CSC, the Advanced Space Technology, Research and Services (ASTROS) Team and Acting Director Joel Joseph Marciano, Jr. were selected to be among the Regional winners (National Capital Region) of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan (Group Category) Award and the Dangal ng Bayan Award, respectively. 

The Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is conferred to an individual or group of individuals for exemplary contributions that has had notable nationwide impact, while the Dangal ng Bayan Award is conferred to an individual for performance of extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior.  

Director II Hans R. Alcantara of the CSC Field Office personally came to the DOST-ASTI office to hand in the awards to Dr. Marciano and the ASTROS Team. He also gave a brief description of the different awards that the CSC confers to outstanding and deserving public servants. 

To strengthen the merit and rewards system in the government, the CSC administers an annual nationwide Honor Awards Program (HAP) through the annual Search for Outstanding Government Workers.  HAP seeks to recognize and reward state officials and employees for their outstanding contributions and achievements in government service. 

The ASTROS Team of DOST-ASTI brings the value of space to the Philippines through projects and activities that have nationwide impact and multi-sectoral importance. It seeks to serve the public interest apart from extending benefits to various government agencies.  ASTROS has uniquely contributed towards public service and, to a certain degree, can be considered as one of the pioneering teams in the country’s space program initiatives.  

"There's a limit on the number of nominees but that doesn't preclude us from nominating equally worthy individuals or teams in the succeeding years. This is not only our team's effort, there are many people who helped us through the process," Engr. Alvin Retamar of the ASTROS team said.

The ASTROS also established the Philippines’ first ground receiving station called the Philippine Earth Data Resource and Observation (PEDRO) Center that directly receives daily imagery and data from the Philippines’ own DIWATA-1 and DIWATA-2 microsatellites, alongside other supported foreign satellites. ASTROS has significantly contributed in the development of the microsatellites that were designed and developed by Filipino engineers.  

Dr. Joel Joseph Marciano, Jr., on the other hand, has been in the government service for over 25 years. As he continues to be of service to the Filipino people, his compassion and passion undeniably exude his concern for the public good. With his long list of achievements in his fruitful years in the academe and various public institutions, he certainly is an Administrator, Science and Technology Ambassador, Teacher, Innovator, and Government Worker – all the characteristics to be ASTIG in being of service to the people.   

“This accomplishment is really attributed to all the people I have the privilege to work with. It is in ASTI where I experienced a deeper sense of public service. The notion of being a public servant was really amplified because of the responsibilities that we are undertaking for society.” Dr. Marciano said. 

“We should never lose sight of the goal of our agency and that guides us in performing our jobs as efficiently as possible. I am very proud of our work here in DOST-ASTI and we have been able to accomplish these things because of collective effort. This is as much as an honor for me as it is for the whole organization,” he ended. 

As the regional winners, the ASTROS Team and Dr. Joel Joseph Marciano, Jr. are among the semi-finalists in the 2019 CSC Search for Outstanding Government Workers.  

Every year, the CSC opens rounds of Honor Awards Program nominations, where they seek to search for outstanding government workers, individuals, or group of individuals who exhibited honest and exemplary public service in their [own] fields-- may they be in the career and non-career service, or even appointive barangay workers. The search culminates with the recognition and conferment of awards to deserving public servants during the celebration of the 119th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary in September.