It was a worry-free, aloha-vibes-only kind of evening as the DILG Bataan personnel gathered in vibrant Hawaiian colors for the annual Gawad Samat at Paran Mountain Hill Resort in Samal, Bataan on December 1, 2022.

Now on fifth time since its launch in 2018, the said awards night is the team's institutionalized merit system to celebrate both its small wins and great victories for the closing year.

"It is but proper that after all the stresses and pressures we underwent ay kilalanin naman ang ating mga excellent accomplishments this year," PD Belina Herman expressed, highlighting on her good first impression of the Gawad Samat way before being reassigned in Bataan.
"Let us sustain whatever we have; and of course, I always believe that the foundation of all these accomplishments is teamwork and camaraderie," she added.

After the thorough assessment vis-a-vis the set criteria, leis and certificates were given to LGOO VI Catherine Aduna for being regarded as the Best Field Officer in the province. Meanwhile, LGOO VI Cristy Blanco and LGOO VI Jomar Cruz secured the second and third places, respectively.

Moreover, top-performing field officers for MES, CDS, FAS, Legal Concerns, LFP and other PPAs also received awards for the unparalleled efforts in performing their duties as local government operations officers.

Outstanding staffers in the provincial office were likewise recognized with LGOO V Laverne Gonzales Jr. as the Focal Person of the Year, ADA IV Joseph Castro as the PO's Rising Star, and ENGR III Michael Angelo Masiclat as this year's LFP Ace Awardee.

Feeling the ohana spirit in the air, the team got to enjoy the rest of the event through fun activities, an exchange of goodwill gifts, and the inspiring message of Samal Mayor Alexander Acuzar who also graced the night, in a room that was filled with tropical music.

Congratulations to the Gawad Samat 2022 awardees! In DILG Bataan, "ohana" and #1Bataan basically mean the same—and that is a family that leaves no one behind in the pursuit and sustenance of excellence in public service.