The former Regional Technical Director for Operations, and the OIC – Regional Executive Director of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 1, Dir. Erlinda “Marlyn” F. Manipon, celebrated her 65th birthday and also rendered her last day of public service today, August 9, 2022.

Dir. Marlyn Manipon exemplifies a dedicated and committed public servant, considering her 41 long years of selfless service to the farmers and the fisherfolk of Ilocos Region.

She started her career in agriculture service as Technical Assistant, climbed the ladder to Farm Technologist I to Agriculture & Food Technologist of the then Ministry of Agriculture & Food (MAF) in a span of 7 years (from 1981 to 1988).

She then became Senior Planning Officer from 1988 to 1989. In the years 1989 to 2005, she rose from the ranks to become Planning Officer II then promoted to Planning Officer III, in a span of 16 years. After which, she occupied the position of Supervising Agriculturist from 2005 to 2015.

After her stint in the Operations, she became the Chief Administrative Officer of the DA – RFO1 from 2015 to 2021. With her technical skills and acquired knowledge in the Agency’s operations, she was elevated to the peak of her government career as Regional Technical Director for Operations. She was later on designated as the OIC – Regional Executive Director for a short period of time following the re-appointment of then OIC-RED Nestor Domenden to the DA-BFAR central office, until her final bow from the government service on August 8, 2022.

Exemplifying strong leadership abilities and keenness for details, her positive attitude towards work, kindness to her co-employees especially the rank and file, she became the mentor of the young generation of leaders in the department.

“We are not working for ourselves, but we are working for our government and for our people. Lalong lalo na sa mga farmers natin.” Dir. Marlyn said while sharing stories of her 41 years of dedicated government service in the DA.

She concluded her message by issuing a challenge to the DA-RFO1 employees of getting back to being the number one region in rank in terms of physical and financial accomplishment. “Yung adhikain natin na sana maibalik na natin ang pwesto natin, Region 1, number one! Yan ang challenge ko sa inyo.” Manipon stated before bidding goodbye.

Meanwhile, aside from Dir. Manipon, 5 other employees who opted to retire from the government service were also recognized. They were: Ms. Severina Arsenia Padua, Mr. Lemuel Abrenica, Ms. Josefina Bueno, Mr. Elmer Camangeg and Ms. Aurelia Camacho who rendered their service to the public for 40, 39, 38 and 36 years, respectively.

The thanksgiving tribute also paved way for the recognition of the 28 loyalty awardees who have rendered 40, 35 and 20 years of service to the Department. They each received a plaque and a certificate of appreciation for the productive and fruitful years in the department.

To all the retirees, congratulations and thank you for a job well done! To the loyalty awardees, kudos and may you always continue to be an asset that bringsforth pride, honor and inspiration in the name of public service!###

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