This BJMP officer is 2024 CSC Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardee

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

FOR establishing the country’s first Learning Site for Agriculture for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL), Senior Jail Officer IV Anita T. Andueza, 49, from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Bicol, was awarded the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Pagasa Award on Wednesday at Malacañang Palace.

Andueza, a native of Masbate, personally received the award during the 2024 Search for Outstanding Government Workers ceremony, held at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañang Palace on the morning of September 18, 2024. The award was presented by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., along with a gold medal from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and a cash prize of P200,000.

Andueza was recognized for spearheading the country’s first Learning Site for Agriculture inside a prison, a program that significantly improved the living conditions of PDLs. She is one of 25 individual and four group awardees honored by the President and the CSC for demonstrating outstanding performance and exceptional services that contribute to efficiency, economy, and the improvement of government operations.

The CSC’s annual Honor Awards Program (HAP) includes three major award categories: the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, the Outstanding Public Official and Employee Award (Dangal ng Bayan), and the CSC Pagasa Award. The Pagasa Award is conferred upon individuals or groups whose contributions benefit more than one government department, though not to the extraordinary degree required for the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award.

Andueza was one of three finalists from the Bicol Region selected for individual recognition by CSC Bicol Regional Director, Lawyer Daisy Punzalan Bragais. Initially aspiring for a medical career, Andueza’s path took a different turn, eventually becoming a notable figure in the BJMP.

She began her career as a Medical Technologist, serving tuberculosis and leprosy patients in Dimasalang, Masbate. Despite challenges in finding stable employment, her dedication led her to join the BJMP, where she eventually rose to oversee the Health Service Division of BJMP Region V.

Identifying the high prevalence of tuberculosis in jails, Andueza successfully secured funding from the Department of Health (DOH) Region V to construct isolation buildings in several facilities.

Shifting to Human Resource Development, she revolutionized the training programs for Jail Officer One (JO1) trainees in Region V, producing five of the top ten honor graduates at the National Jail Management and Penology Training Institute.

Her expertise as a Therapeutic Community Modality Program (TCMP) Implementer earned her recognition for revitalizing TCMP at the Sorsogon City District Jail, resulting in significant improvements for both the jail environment and PDLs.

At Legazpi City Jail, she served as the Chief of Welfare and Development for PDLs, collaborating with various government and non-government organizations to improve living conditions and implement development programs. She later pursued advanced studies, earning a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration from Bicol University Graduate School, and completed several vocational courses through TESDA, focusing on organic agriculture production, dressmaking, bread and pastry production, and driving—all aimed at providing PDLs with practical skills.

Under her leadership, Legazpi City Jail was accredited as a Learning Site for Agriculture, with support from local agricultural bodies. She also partnered with the Department of Education to introduce formal education programs ranging from elementary to senior high school within the jail, and worked with Bicol University to offer college-level courses, such as Industrial Design.

Andueza’s efforts extended to securing ISO certification for Legazpi City Jail, emphasizing process efficiency and infrastructure improvements. She also championed economic empowerment programs for PDLs, providing skills training and resources for livelihood opportunities within the detention center. Her approach emphasized holistic development, incorporating religious and interfaith activities and supporting PDL families through various programs.

Her initiatives not only transformed conditions within detention facilities but also challenged societal perceptions, demonstrating the potential of agricultural and vocational education in urban jail settings. Andueza’s long-term goal is the holistic rehabilitation of PDLs and their successful reintegration into society.

Her projects have also generated significant savings for the BJMP, particularly through the skills training programs that evolved into livelihood projects. These initiatives not only provided PDLs with valuable skills but also became a source of income, further enhancing the sustainability of the programs.

CSC Chairperson Lawyer Karlo Nograles emphasized that the annual awards program is vital in shaping the vision, methods, and quality of work in government service, contributing to faster and more efficient processes, as well as improved access to social and economic assistance.