Amending D.O. No. 09-99: Creating the Distinguished Service Award for Career Chiefs of Mission

July 23, 2012

DFA DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 21-12

AMENDING D.O. NO. 09-99: CREATING THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD FOR CAREER CHIEFS OF MISSION

SECTION 1. Legal Basis and Justification. —

Pursuant to Section 1 of Executive Order No. 398 issued on 16 April 1990 in accordance with Section 6 of Republic Act No. 6713 and its implementing Rules, Department Order No. 09-99 dated 23 March 1998 creating the "Distinguished Service Award for Career Chiefs of Mission" of the Department of Foreign Affairs is hereby amended for the guidance of all concerned.

SECTION 2. Objectives. —

The Distinguished Service Award aims to recognize and reward those with the rank of Chiefs of Mission of the Department who have rendered meritorious and outstanding service to the Republic as Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Consuls General or Charges d'Affaires, a.i. when no AEPs have been appointed. They have consistently exhibited outstanding qualities of leadership, conducted themselves with the highest degree of professionalism and have contributed substantially to the advancement of Philippine interests in the areas of bilateral, regional and multilateral relations.

SECTION 3. Scope. —

All those with the rank of Chiefs of Mission I and II who have served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Consul General and Chargé d'Affaires, a.i.

SECTION 4. Special Committee on Distinguished Service Awards. —

A Special Committee on the Distinguished Service Awards is hereby created for this purpose to be composed of:

1. Chairperson — Undersecretary for Administration; HcDATC

2. Vice Chairperson — Assistant Secretary for Personnel and Administrative Services;

3. Members — Chief Coordinator, Assistant Secretary for Fiscal Management, Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs and Assistant Secretary for Protocol.

The Committee shall be responsible for the selection and evaluation of all the Chiefs of Mission nominated for the Award. The Committee shall recommend to the Secretary the nominees for the Award for approval.

SECTION 5. Special Committee on Distinguished Service Awards Secretariat (PRAISE Secretariat). —

Office of Personnel and Administrative Services (OPAS) shall serve as Secretariat for the Distinguished Service Awards Committee.

SECTION 6. Selection Procedure. —

The Committee shall adopt the following procedure in the selection of awardees:

6.1. Establish criteria/qualifications/disqualifications of nominees; and

6.2. Require and review documents in support of the award such as, but not limited to:

6.2.1. Personal Data Sheet/Curriculum Vitae

6.2.2. Service Record

6.2.3. Commendations, Philippine or International Awards received

6.2.4. Testimonials in support of the nomination

SECTION 7. Disqualifications. —

The nominee must not have been found guilty by appropriate authorities of violating laws, rules and regulations nor must the nominee have any pending case, administrative or otherwise.

SECTION 8. Form of Award. —

The Award shall be given in the form of a medal and pin in accordance with the descriptions provided in Section 9 below and the attached illustrations thereof. (Annex A) ICcDaA

SECTION 9. The Medal and Pin. —

9.1. The silver-plated brass medal consists of a five pointed star, the center of which is a disc where the seal of the Republic of the Philippines is placed. The words "Loyalty and Service" are engraved around the disc.

 The wreath above the star consists of dark green leaves and white Sampaguita buds — the Philippines' national flower. The tie at the base serves as a divider of the tendril and a link to the star through a metal ring.

 The ring around the seal signifies meritorious, loyal and valuable service to the Republic; the star represents the outstanding achievements; and the wreath signifies the honor for having been appointed as Chief of Mission and for services rendered abroad as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Consul General or Chargé d'affaires, a.i. At the opposite side of the medal are the words "For Distinguished Service."

 The ribbon has a purple background with a silver stripe at the center.

9.2. The pin shall be a miniature version of the medal suspended from a small piece of ribbon with a clasp for attachment at the breast. The ribbon for the pin shall have a similar purple background with a silver strip at the center.

9.3 The award and medal will be conferred upon retirement of the ambassador either on the retirement date or during an awarding ceremony scheduled at a later date. It may also be given to a recently-confirmed ambassador who is going to assume as Head of Post.

 The medal and/or pin may be worn during ceremonious events as necessary for adornment or representation purposes. The medal shall be worn around the neck and the pin shall be attached on the upper right side of the chest.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. —

This Department Order shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from the date of its deposit with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) and publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. HaEcAC

Pasay, July 23, 2012.

(SGD.) ALBERT F. DEL ROSARIOSecretary of Foreign Affairs

ANNEX A

Distinguished Service Award

(Medal and Pin)