The Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Committee of the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya (PGNV) honored two provincial government employees with the “Gantimpala Agad” Award (GAA) for their exemplary acts of heroism during the regular flag-raising ceremony held on July 6, 2026, at the People’s Stage of the Provincial Capitol.
Recipients of the award were Monte Carlo C. David, Public Relations Officer II of the Public Affairs and Information Assistance Division (PAIAD), and Justiniano V. Bangad III, Administrative Aide II of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), who is currently detailed at the Public Employment Services Division (PESD). They received GAA certificates and cash incentives in recognition of their selfless service.
The “Gantimpala Agad” Award is a special recognition conferred upon government employees and civil servants who demonstrate exceptional public service through acts of honesty, promptness, courtesy, dedication to duty, and courage beyond the call of duty.
On the evening of April 27, 2025, Mr. David responded to an emergency after concerned residents informed him that a severely injured man was lying at the entrance of his residence, bleeding heavily and suffering from apparent fractures in one leg. Without hesitation, Mr. David immediately rendered first aid by properly immobilizing the victim’s injured leg using braces and bandages. Together with other responders on the scene, he carefully transferred the victim to a safer location while awaiting the arrival of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO).
Mr. David served at the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) from January 2024 to June 2025, where he actively participated in rescue operations and various emergency response and life-saving trainings. His swift and effective actions during the incident reflected the knowledge, skills, and discipline he gained through his training and experience.
Meanwhile, in the early morning of January 27, 2026, Mr. Bangad and his daughter witnessed a vehicular accident along the Solano–Bayombong Bypass Road involving a tricycle and a sedan. Upon seeing an injured man lying helpless on the road, Mr. Bangad immediately stopped his motorcycle and rushed to assist. He helped safely move the victim on the side of the road and remained at the scene while waiting for emergency responders. Mr. Bangad performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) , drawing on his training and experience to sustain the victim until professional responders arrived.
Mr. Bangad began his public service career in 2017 at the PDRRMO, where he underwent extensive training in Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA), emergency response, and other life-saving skills. He was also a member of the Nueva Vizcaya Search and Rescue Unit, which emerged as the national champion in the Philippine Rescue Summit Competition several years ago. His decisive response during the accident demonstrated how years of training and experience translated into life-saving action when it mattered most.
Mr. David and Mr. Bangad expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Robert L. Corpuz, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, and Provincial Administrator King Webster B. Balaw-ing, who previously served as Acting PDRRMO, for their guidance, mentorship, and for providing them with opportunities to undergo disaster response and rescue trainings during their service with the PDRRMO. They credited these experiences for equipping them with the skills and confidence to respond effectively during emergencies and ultimately help save lives. /bgl
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