A Heavy Equipment Operator from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) joined the distinguish roster of public servants chosen as Outstanding Public Officials and Employees or “Dangal ng Bayan” awardees by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
Roldan Velasco Colas, Heavy Equipment Operator I of the Mountain Province District Engineering Office, is one of the ten (10) 2014 Dangal ng Bayan Awardee.
He may not have fulfilled his dream of being a noble teacher but he has shown integrity in his work and brought honor to his family and to the Department he is serving in the last 26 years, that, makes him nobler.
Although not an engineer by profession, Colas is TESDA accredited that learned the ropes of road maintenance hands-on while on field. As a Heavy Equipment Operator, he is always on the site where critical sections are located along the roadline. As a Maintenance Man assigned along Bontoc-Baguio Road, he was able monitor the area and reported untoward incidents and slides which brought about the prompt action of the District Office for its clearing and opening.
He worked on a Casual status as a Laborer from August 1987 to 1994, became Heavy Equipment Operator on January 1995 and until he became a permanent employee as Heavy Equipment Operator I in November 2012.
He worked hard and toiled the rigors of being on the road every day. He had no qualms of performing his duties and did not hesitate to take on the responsibility of maintaining the roads and keeping these safe and clear of obstructions for motorists to ply.
February 12, 2013 was supposedly an ordinary day with routine work at hand but, it turned out to be an eventful day when Colas and Mr. Antonio F. Caligtan, one of the crewmen recovered a brown envelope containing cash, checks and identification cards while cleaning the curbs and gutters along Bontoc-Baguio National Road as Maintenance Men. The small deed of returning the envelope did not sink in as something with great impact until the Philippine National Police, Mt. Province Police Provincial Office in Bontoc has awarded them Certificates of Recognition on March 4, 2013 for their contribution to the crime prevention in the area.
It was established that the articles recovered were counterfeits and prior to their discovery, there were establishments in Poblacion Bontoc, Buguias and Mankayan in Benguet victimized by three identified individuals from Pangasinan purchasing with fake checks and were later apprehended by police elements.
Colas’ nomination to the Dangal ng Bayan Award 2014 is something and being confirmed as an awardee is another. After the rigors of the evaluations, validations, interviews and investigations conducted by the CSC as administrator of the Honor Awards Program, he still remains the modest and quiet man he is.
He was honored together with other awardees from the Cordillera Administrative Region at the St. Joseph Café and Restaurant, Sagada, Mt. Province on September 25, 2014 during the celebration of the 114th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary in the Cordillera Administrative Region with the theme: “ Tapat na Serbisyo Alay ko, Dahil Lingkod Bayani Ako”.
Engr. Wilbur B. Likigan, District Engineer of Mt. Province District Engineering Office was also given a Certificate of Recognition being the nominator of Colas.
Caligtan, who was with Colas during that time was also commended for the integrity and honesty he has shown. He is with the Department on a Job Order Status at the Mt. Province District Engineering Office.
Like any laborer, he works his pay and even goes beyond the call of duty especially during calamities when road closures occur.
Both has made Director Edilberto P. Carabbacan, DPWH-CAR and the Mt. Province District Engineering Office proud.
Engr. Wilbur B. Likigan, District Engineer of Mt. Province District Engineering Office was also given a Certificate of Recognition being the nominator of Colas.
Colas will join nine (9) other recipients of the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees or Dangal ng Bayan Award during the Honor Awards Program, the rites for 2014 Presidential Lingkod ng Bayan, Dangal Ng Bayan and Civil Service Commission (CSC) PAGASA Awardees at the Malacañang Palace.