10 most outstanding Subic Freeport workers named

The Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation, Inc. (SBWDFI) has announced this year’s 10 Most Outstanding Freeport Workers who have made positive contributions towards achieving productivity, harmony, and industrial peace inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Atty. Severo Pastor Jr., head of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Labor Department and SBWDFI president, identified the winners as Alvin Begosa, Yehleen Cecilio, Gigi Estalilla, Dindo Dante Gonzaga, Edwin Madayag, Richard Nicdao, Romwel Pangilinan, Pedro Tadena Sr., and Gomer Tolentino.

The 10 awardees received plaques of recognition, cash prizes, and gift certificates, as well as words of appreciation from Subic Freeport officials.

Speaking during the awarding ceremony at the Subic Bay Arts Center (SuBAC), SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia said the 10 outstanding workers symbolize the professionalism, dedication, and passion of Filipino workers for the job entrusted to them by their respective companies.

He noted that Subic’s continuing increase in revenue collections, construction boom, and tourism growth only show that the Freeport is being maintained and operated by the finest workforce in the country today.

“Truly, if all workers in the country would only follow the examples shown by our 10 outstanding workers, the Philippines will not only have 7 percent gross domestic product, but more. And we can be assured of a better future ahead,” Garcia said.

Pastor, meanwhile, stressed that the SBWDFI has formulated this year a more tedious competitive selection process where candidates were chosen from the more than 90,000 workforce of the Freeport.

He added that to establish integrity in the selection process, an independent board of judges was formed. This was composed Dr. Zenia Mostoles, Zambales DepEd Superintendent, Dir. Virginia Bondoc of TESDA-Zambales, and Dir. Maria Teresita Cancio of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board- Region III, as head of the body.

Pastor said that the winners were noted for their outstanding performance and accomplishments. The first awardee, Alvin Begosa, started as room attendant at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel in 2010 and rose to become property custodian today.

Meanwhile, Yehleen Cecilio of Polarmarine started as planning staff in 2003 and after four promotions due to her positive attitudes toward work, she is now the Production Support Section Supervisor.

Gigi Estalilla, a staff at the SBMA Public Relations Office, was a finalist in the 2008 search for SBMA Employee of the Year, and holds positions in a cooperative group in the Freeport, the newly-formed SBMA Employees Association, and the Zambales chapter of the LGBT group Ladlad.

Dindo Dante Gonzaga is a production foreman at Delta Production Phils., where he teaches co-workers on how to improve their products.

Edwin Madayag, of Hitachi Group, has worked with the company since 1998 as machine operator with devotion and faithfulness.

Hazel Valera, of GrainPro Phils., where she worked for seven years and was promoted to Senior Manager for Supply Chain.

A SBMA Volunteer in 1992, who was also employed as Production Plant Operator by the SBMA Public Works Group until his absorption by the Subic Water and Sewerage Company, Richard Nicdao is a dedicated employee who serves beyond schedule.

Meanwhile, from being a lifeguard at the Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium since 2009, Romwel Pangilinan was promoted recently as officer-in-charge of safety events after showing his loyalty and dedication.

Another worker from Delta Production Philippines, PedroTadena Sr., was cited for sharing the skills and knowledge he learned from the company with his co-workers.

Lastly, Gomer Tolentino of Nicera Phils. started out as Electronics Design Engineer in 2001 and is now the Senior Product Manager of the firm. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Awardees of the 2014 Ten Outstanding Freeport Workers proudly display their trophies during the awards ceremony held at the Subic Bay Arts Center on Monday, November 24. The search is an annual project of the Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation, Inc. and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. (AED/MPD-SBMA)