DepEd Naga’s Search for Exemplary Employees of DepEd Naga (SEED)

       A ‘SEED’ is a metaphor of hope, dreams, or life. In the biblical context, a ‘seed’ could refer to something or someone who becomes the ‘hope’ in the future and will embody a paradigm of goodness or holiness without separating the spiritual and the physical reality of humanity (Num. 21:8-9; Phil. 2:12; Mt. 13:3-9). Hence, the term SEED is used to name the award system of SDO Naga City which also projects that awardees are like ‘seeds of hope’ who embody exemplary life and service in carrying out their duties as public servants regardless of their position and status.

       The SEED stands for “Search for Exemplary Employees of DepEd Naga”. Its purpose is to recognize employees who selflessly and innovatively perform their tasks. It also tries to identify personnel who, by deep commitment to serve, ‘walked the extra mile’ (Mt. 5:41) without expecting any return in achieving the best interest of DepEd, its vision, mission, goals for the service of its primary clientele, the learners. 

       Historically, in line with the Revised Policies on Employees Suggestions and Incentive Awards System (ESIAS) under the CSC Resolution No. 010112; CSC MC No. 01, 2001; DepEd Orders No. 9, s. 2002 and No. 78, s 2007 on Establishing and strengthening the program on awards and incentives for service excellence (PRAISE) of the Department of Education, the ‘Orgulyo kan Maogmang Naga’ was the first PRAISE program that was implemented annually using the promotion merit selection plan of DepEd. In its goal of contextualizing and harmonizing the guidelines used by the different awards giving bodies, such as the Metrobank, Civil Service Commission, Global Teacher Prize and the like, the SEED was crafted by the HRD section through SEPS HRD Michael A. del Rosario with a unique process of qualifying candidates. In 2018, after a series of refinement, through the then ASDS Marinao B. De Guzman, Chief SGOD Renato L. Gavino, Chief CID Lynn Z. Padillo, AO V for Personnel Mary Ann Rosauro, and SEPS HRD Michael A. del Rosario, the first run of the contextualized SEED guidelines was approved by SDS William E. Gando for use. Since then, it continuously improves every year based on its implementation assessment and recommendations. The 2020 SEED revised guidelines can be considered as more comprehensive and responsive to DepEd context. Recently, the 2020 and 2021 SEED Awardees were also recognized in the CSC Regional Dangal ng Bayan Award for Government Employees. The awardees through a LGU Resolutions were acknowledged by the LGU Naga City.

       The unique features of SEED are its focus and process of selecting awardees. As to its focus, SEED gives value on the significantly sustainable accomplishments and the moral ascendancy of every candidate which are thoroughly and systematically validated. As to the process, it employs the use of technology such as the Google applications.

       SEED process starts with the call for nomination online. The nominees are subjected to public feedback with strict policy on objectivity and confidentiality. This will continue until the final list of awardees is declared. Its purpose is to determine that the candidates observe the highest moral standards. To initially select candidates who shall advance to the second level of the selection, the awards committee composed of selected internal and external stakeholder (for records, some of the invited external stakeholders were Dr. Geraldine C. Alvina, Professor in Education, BISCAST, Dr. Charlie Nacario, Professor in Education, CBSUA, and City Accountant, Paciencia Tabinas, LGU Naga City) votes based on the validated feedback. Then, selected candidates shall be required to submit online the MOVs of their accomplishments and be rated based on the rubrics which comprised 20% for the quantity, 40% for quality and 40% of for public candidate rating using the principles in RA 6713 re: An Act Establishing A Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Those who earned the specific required point per category will automatically advance to the third level. In the third level, an interview is conducted. For teacher candidates, a demonstration of teaching is required with the panel as students to assess the candidate’s excellent practices in teaching.

       All in all, the rating in the total points garnered in the second level will serve as 60% and the third level serves 40% of the total score. The number of awardees will be based on available fund. The SEED award for teachers is titled as “Teachers Who Walked the Extra Mile” and for the non-teaching, “Employees of the Year”.        by: Michael A. del Rosario, PhD