Pablita Cabarles, a public school teacher from Bohol province, was honored with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Pag-asa Award by President Bongbong Marcos at Malacañang Palace on Wednesday.

The award recognizes outstanding contributions of individuals or groups of individuals to public service. It is one of CSC’s top three awards along with Lingkod Bayan and Dangal ng Bayan awards.

Cabarles teaches at Manga High School in Tagbilaran City where she has been instrumental in promoting academic excellence and civic engagement among her students. She also initiated various projects such as feeding programs and livelihood trainings for her community.

She follows the footsteps of former Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II who also received the same award from former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019 for his achievements in local governance and development.

Another notable recipient of Pag-asa Award from Bohol is Cong. Edgar Chatto who represents the First District where Tagbilaran City belongs. He received the award in 2016 when he was still serving as governor of Bohol province.

Chatto holds a unique distinction of being the only Boholano elected official and possibly the only government worker in the country who has earned all three CSC awards: Lingkod Bayan in 2000, Dangal ng Bayan in 2011, and Pag-asa in 2016.

He also enjoyed an increase in his salary grade as vice governor after receiving the Lingkod Bayan award. (with reports from Ven Rebo Arigo)