MANILA, Philippines – Like any other tough job, public service can be stressful, daunting, and thankless. Despite this, many people have taken on the task and joined the government, striving to serve their fellow Filipinos.

Some public servants have even gone above and beyond their duties, sacrificing their lives for others.

Let us salute 8 of these men and women who remained dedicated to their professions until the very end.

Felix Miranda, Melquiades Baguio, and Rolando Cinco, firefighters

As Super Typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc on November 8, 2013, all that Tanauan town firefighters Cinco, Baguio, and Miranda had in mind was to save others.

The 3 men bravely brought people to evacuation centers during the onslaught of the super typhoon. Sadly, during their second rescue mission, the fire truck they were riding in was swept away by a storm surge. They did not survive.

Salvacion Avestruz, weather observer

During Super Typhoon Yolanda, Avestruz kept on monitoring and transmitting data on the strong winds and rain as the storm raged in Tacloban City.

She protected a device called a microbarograph from the severe weather until the very end. The unforgiving storm surge eventually rushed into the PAGASA weather station and took her life. (READ: Families of 4 Yolanda heroes to each get P100k)

Rogelio Lardera, teacher

After making sure his family was safe from Super Typhoon Yolanda, Lardera joined the Manaphag Quick Response Team in Concepcion, Iloilo.

Their truck went back to an evacuation center after rescuing residents from a coastal area. Along the way, a huge tree branch hit Lardera and he was thrown off the truck. (READ: Remembering Rogelio Lardera: Father, teacher, Typhoon Yolanda hero)

Esther Galarosa, state auditor

For 29 years, Galarosa fearlessly took on the task of auditing local government units. 

On February 6, 2014, she was killed by unidentified gunmen while driving back to the regional office of the Commission on Audit in Region IX in Zamboanga City.

Aida Barrete, midwife

Despite the onslaught of Typhoon Pablo in New Bataan, Compostela Valley on December 4, 2012, Barrete soldiered on to treat injured residents at a health center in Barangay Andap.

A landslide suddenly hit the health center. Barrete perished, along with her patients as well as her husband and two children who joined her efforts.

Meynard Barcellano, city hall employee

Barcellano, an administrative assistant at the Office of the Vice Mayor of Tabuk City, Kalinga, was among the rescuers responding to drowning incidents at the Chico River. 

The rescuers’ rubber boats suddenly capsized, and the raging waters took Barcellano’s life.  

Posthumous award

All of the above were posthumously recognized by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), under its Pamanang Lingkod Bayani (PLBi) program, a tribute to public servants who died in the line of duty. 

Their immediate families also received P100,000 from the CSC, and may avail of scholarships and discounts in any of the member institutions of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges. – Rappler.com

Sources: CSC, various news reports. Photo of Lardera from the Department of Education. All other photos from the CSC.

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