PASIG CITY, November 22, 2018 – The Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), converged in a landmark ceremonial launch of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos 2019 on November 16, 2018 at DepEd Bulwagan ng Karunungan.

Guided by the theme, “Beyond Excellence,” Metrobank Foundation searches for outstanding Filipinos who render service above and beyond his/her call of duty. Their accomplishments must have inspired and influenced their peers, as well as the people in their respective communities, while their works must have transformed a community with a lasting positive impact on people and to the country.

Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones expressed her gratitude to Metrobank Foundation for continuously recognizing Filipino exemplars in the academe, military, and police sectors: “Metrobank Foundation Awards tell us, awards and awardees tell us, where there is hope, there is service, there is joy, and there is a future for our learners. Thank you, Metrobank Foundation.”

“More than the recognition, the Metrobank awardees have inspired all of us in the PNP to raise the standards of performance to accomplish more, and perform better in the delivery of police services for our country and people,” Police Deputy Director General (PDDG) Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, PNP Chief Directorial Staff, stated on behalf of PNP Chief Police Director General Oscar Albayalde.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez also declared the full commitment and solid support of the Armed Forces in the continuing search for outstanding Filipinos: “For not often enough are such honorable, heroic men and women given the recognition and appreciation that they so deserve.”

To date, the Metrobank Foundation has honored a total of 665 Outstanding Filipinos.

“We believe that achievements, which resulted to positive change, or innovations that addressed major societal problems should be highlighted and widely acknowledged. By doing so, we hope to create a ripple effect that would inspire other people, especially their colleagues in their profession, to follow in their footsteps,” Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) President Aniceto Sobrepeña said.

A ceremonial signing of a pledge of commitment marked the occasion and signified unity among DepEd, PNP, AFP, MBFI, and program partners from Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank), Rotary Club of New Manila East (RCNME), and Rotary Club Makati Metro (RCMM), for fostering service excellence.

Also present in the launch were PSBank Senior Vice President Perfecto Dimayuga Jr., RCMM Vice President Al Miguel Leogardo, RCNME President John Paul Montero, DepEd Undersecretaries Annalyn Sevilla, Victoria Catibog, and Tonisito Umali, OIC Assistant Secretaries Alma Ruby Torio and Ramon Fiel Abcede, and winners of the search in the previous years including Jennifer Rojo from Sungay Elementary School, Tagaytay City and Col. Elmer Suderio from the Philippine Army, for 2017; and Dr. Carla Dimalanta from University of the Philippines Diliman and PS/Supt. Pascual Muñoz of the PNP Directorate for Logistics, for 2018.

Four teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers will be recognized, and each will receive a cash prize of P1 million, a gold medallion, and The Flame trophy during the formal conferment ceremonies on September 2019.

Through a nomination-based process, teachers, soldiers and police officers who are eligible to join must have a minimum of 10 years of service with at least “very satisfactory” rating in the last decade. Those who are set to retire must have at least three (3) remaining years of service. All eligible nominees must have exhibited good moral character and must not have been charged guilty in any administrative or criminal case.

Teachers in the elementary, secondary, or Alternative Learning System (ALS) must have full teaching load, and must have completed academic requirements for Master’s Degree, while tertiary and graduate teachers must have attained a Doctorate Degree. Eligible AFP commissioned officers (Captain to Colonel) must have completed a bachelor’s degree, while AFP enlisted personnel (Corporal to Chief Master Sergeant) must have completed at least a High School Degree. Finally, PNP commissioned officers (Police Inspector to Police Superintendent) and non-commissioned officers (Police Officer 2 to Senior Police Officer 4) must have completed a Bachelor’s Degree

The nomination form and detailed guidelines are now available via the MBFI website at www.mbfoundation.org.ph, Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Facebook page or through the link http://bit.ly/OFAward. Deadline for nominations is on January 18, 2019.

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