Officials from the Civil Service Commission, (from left to right) Assistant Commissioner Marlon Lim, Assistant Commissioner Atty. Ariel Ronquillo, Commissioner Atty. Ryan Alvin Acosta and Atty. Judith Dongallo-Chicano, led the launching of the 126th Anniversary of Philippine Civil Service on 24 August at CSC Central Office in Quezon City.
PHOTOGRAPHED by Sean Magbanua for the Daily Tribune
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) officially launched on Monday the 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, with the month-long celebration set to take center stage in September.
With the theme “Bawat Kawani, Lingkod Bayani: Puso, Dangal, at Galing Para sa Bayan,” the celebration will feature a nationwide tribute honoring more than two million Filipino public servants while promoting wellness, camaraderie, and excellence in public service.
“Behind this number are countless stories of dedication and resilience—teachers shaping young minds, healthcare workers caring for communities, engineers building safer and stronger infrastructure, social workers extending hope, and public servants across every office faithfully fulfilling their mandates despite the challenges they face each day,” CSC Assistant Commissioner Judith Dongallo-Chicano said in her welcome address.
The annual observance commemorates the establishment of the Philippine Civil Service on September 19, 1900, with September designated as Civil Service Month.
Throughout the month, government agencies and personnel across the country will participate in various activities highlighting the contributions of public servants and strengthening their commitment to serving the Filipino people.
The CSC also urged all government institutions to take an active role in organizing local activities that promote camaraderie, strengthen employee engagement, and renew every worker’s commitment to public service.
Government agencies and personnel across the country will take part in various activities throughout September for the 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary.
Among the major activities are the Lingkod Bayani Run, Trabaho at Serbisyo Hatid sa Bayan, Himig Lingkod Bayani Government Choral Competition, and the Pagpupugay: Parangal sa mga Lingkod Bayani awards ceremony.
The nationwide Lingkod Bayani Run will be held at six venues: the Quirino Grandstand in Manila; Poro Point Baywalk in San Fernando City, La Union; Megaworld Capital Town in San Fernando City, Pampanga; Talisay City Hall Compound in Lawaan II, Talisay City, Cebu; Leyte Capitol Grounds Complex in Guindapunan, Palo, Leyte; and La Jardin de Maria Clara Lobregat in Pasonanca, Zamboanga City.
According to the CSC, thousands of government employees, private citizens, families, and partners are expected to participate in the nationwide run on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Meanwhile, eight government chorales have advanced to the 2026 Himig Lingkod Bayani Grand Finals from 33 qualifying entries nationwide.
The finalists, each composed of 20 to 30 members, include Coro de Rentas Internas, Schools Division Office (SDO) Manila Teachers Chorale, and Taguig City Employees Chorale, representing the National Capital Region (NCR).
Representing Luzon are Dasmariñas City Teachers Chorale, LGU Atimonan Chorale, and Matatag Batangan Chorale.
The Department of Education (DepEd) Bohol Chorale will represent the Visayas, while Coro Davao de Oro will represent Mindanao.
“Himig Lingkod Bayani showcases the remarkable artistic talents of our public servants and highlights the value of teamwork, discipline, and excellence that define public service,” CSC Chairperson Marilyn Yap said.
“We congratulate all the finalists and look forward to an inspiring Grand Finals performance,” Yap added.
The competition will award PHP 300,000 to the grand champion, while the first, second, and third runners-up will receive PHP 250,000, PHP 200,000, and PHP 150,000, respectively.
Non-finalists will each receive PHP 100,000.
The competition will also recognize outstanding performances through special awards, with PHP 30,000 each for Best Interpretation, Best Arrangement for Competition Song, and Best Conductor.
The Grand Finals will take place at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
Beyond the celebrations and competitions, the CSC will also strengthen its environmental initiatives through the Luntiang Pook program.
The CSC will partner with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the establishment and management of Luntiang Pook sites.
The initiative aims to establish and sustain designated tree sanctuary sites as platforms for climate action, ecological restoration, and environmental education, among other environmental efforts.
Meanwhile, from September 7 to 11, the Trabaho at Serbisyo Hatid sa Bayan program, with 62 initial participating government agencies, will provide citizens with convenient access to employment opportunities, frontline government services, and vital information through an integrated public service platform designed to make government more accessible and responsive.
The celebration will also engage the youth through Tinig at Panulat, an essay-writing and oratorical competition organized as part of the 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary.
The competition invites high school and college students to showcase their vision of compassionate leadership, ethical governance, and excellence in public service.
The CSC will also recognize outstanding public servants through the Gawad Lingkod Bayani Awards, honoring individuals whose dedication, integrity, innovation, and excellence have strengthened public trust and transformed lives across the nation.
The month-long celebration will culminate on September 30, 2026, with the Pasasalamat Partner Recognition Program, which will be held at the CSC Central Office and CSC Regional Offices to recognize the contributions of partners who supported the anniversary activities.
