Today, the Governance Exemplars for Meaningful Service (GEMS) Awards are taking center stage at DILG Dose, honors champions of public service. Themed "Inspiring Excellence: Celebrating DILG Dose’s Champions of Public Service," the evening promised to honor exceptional individuals who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to public service.

Here are the GEMS awardees across various categories:

• Dangal ng Kagawaran (People’s Choice Award):  LGOO V Vita V. Gumahad (DILG Cotabato Province)

• Dagitab ng Paglilingkod (Best Admin Staff): AAII May Joy Torquido (DILG Cotabato Province)

• Best Focal Person for the Regional Office: LGOO V Shiela Mae Kubik (LGCDD)

• Best Focal Person for Field Office Level:  LGOO V Laila Amanda Maha U. Sulaik (DILG Cotabato Province)

• Singsing ng Tanikala (Best Local Government Operations Officer) LGOO VI Maria Fritzie A. Español (DILG Sarangani Province)

• Bugkos ng Bayan (Most Outsanding HUC/Province): DILG Sultan Kudarat

Best Sub-LGRRC: DILG South Cotabato

2nd Best Sub-LGRRC: DILG Sultan Kudarat

3rd Best Sub-LGRRC: DILG Cotabato Province

Governance Exemplars for Meaningful Service (GEMS) is an initiative of DILG XII aimed at honoring regional and field officers who have demonstrated exceptional performance in fulfilling their office's mandate.

GEMS draws inspiration from the PRAISE awards established by the Civil Service Commission, ensuring alignment with DILG's national standards for employee rewards and incentives, as detailed in Circular No. 2017-15 dated May 16, 2017, and Memorandum Circular No. 2019-146 dated August 30, 2019, which revised guidelines for the Capacity Development Awards for Catalysts of Excellence (CapDev ACE).