The Civil Service Commission (CSC) conferred the Pagasa Award to PRO VI’s, Dr. Candida Firmeza during its Recognition Program for the Regional Winners of the 2016 Honor Awards Program (HAP) on September 15, 2016 at the Activity Center of SM City, Iloilo.

“This recognition is a testament that dedicated and true public servants are not a dying breed,” Firmeza stated.

The annual search for outstanding public servants seeks to honor outstanding employees in the civil service and the CSC gave consideration to Firmeza’s exemplary frontline service delivery.

"Firmeza has again raised the good image of PhilHealth. Her quick response to members’ queries, courtesy, patience and cordiality should be replicated by all those in the government service,” said Lourdes F. Diocson, PhilHealth VI Regional Vice-President.

Members who also frequent PhilHealth office are also equally impressed with the services of Firmeza.

"Hats off to Ms. Firmeza. She does something out of the ordinary for all of us. She is so motherly, very accommodating and she makes sure that everybody is important,” said Genoveza Elvas-Kutz, a retired nurse who visited PRO VI.

Kutz expressed her appreciation to the help extended by Firmeza who explained to her “patiently and explicitly” her health insurance coverage.

Jose Maria Lezama has similar thoughts towards Firmeza every time he visits the office.

“I’m a very demanding person yet with the way she (Firmeza) handles her clients, I have no complaints. She’s strict and at the same time very accommodating,” Lezama said.

Firmeza was also a Customers’ Delight Awardee in the 2015 PRAISE (PhilHealth Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence) Awards.

“This award is overwhelming knowing that I competed against equally deserving public servants. This is truly God’s blessing for me,” she said.

As HAP Regional Winner, Firmeza is also qualified for the national level screening wherein the HAP National Committee on Awards shall select winners for the CSC Pagasa. (END) (Lissette G. Lira)