THE PHILIPPINE Civil Service Commission declared an associate professor and an extension team from the Mariano Marcos State University as regional winners in this year’s Search for Outstanding Government Workers.

They are now qualifiers in the national search for outstanding workers.

Zaldy Fernandez received the CSC Pagasa Award for the Individual Category for his inventions that helped farmers and fisherfolk.

“As a faculty member of the MMSU College of Industrial Technology, he invented machines that improved the life and productivity of farmers and fisherfolk,” the university said.

“Most of his inventions were ranked first place in various local, regional and national research symposia,” it added.

A group of MMSU extensionists were also recognized under the group category for their radio-based educational program.

The team was composed of team leader Dr. Marilou Lucas, Dr. Aris Reynold Cajigal, Mercy Fausta Gaño, Bella Gervacio and Dr. Sherlyn Nicolas.

They were cited for their project “Empowering Communities through the School-on-the-Air program during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The MMSU Experience.”

“The radio-based educational program of the MMSU Extension Directorate benefitted thousands of Ilokano farmers, housekeepers, out-of-school-youth, professionals, and students from 16 municipalities and two cities in the province,” the school said.

“The SOA titled, ‘Tarabay iti Pagtaengan, Pagbiagan, Salun-at ken Dadduma Pay,’ (guide for home technology, livelihood, health, and others) was implemented in partnership with the local radio stations, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte, participating local government units, and the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium,” it added.

Fernandez and the team will each receive plaques of recognition during the Regional Recognition and Awards Rites in September 2023 as part of the 123rd Philippine Civil Service Anniversary celebration