The ceremony, held at the Bulwagang Apolinario Mabini at the DFA main building, recognized, among other things, the individual and collective contributions of its personnel who pursued and demonstrated excellence in the field of Foreign Service, manifested in their unwavering commitment and response to the call of duty and to their respective mandates.

As recommended by the TWG and Committee on PRAISE, over 400 personnel received awards such as the Felipe Agoncillo Distinguished Service Award (for career Chiefs of Mission), the Outstanding Employee Award, the Assistance-to-Nationals Award (individual and group categories), and the Loyalty Award (for length of service). Awardees were given certificates, medals, plaques and pins. The Felipe Agoncillo Distinguished Service Award is given to retiring or retired Heads of Missions who have significantly advanced the interests of the Philippines overseas.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and Undersecretary for Administration Linglingay F. Lacanlale led the conferment ceremonies. On this momentous occasion, 5 career Chiefs of Mission received the Felipe Agoncillo Distinguished Service Award, 56 personnel for Outstanding Employee Award who were selected from various Foreign Service Posts, the Home Office and the Regional Consular Offices, 16 personnel for the Assistance-to-Nationals Award (individual category) 1 Foreign Service Post (group category), and 359 personnel for the Loyalty Award.

During the selection process, the TWG and Committee on PRAISE took into consideration different criteria before the nominees were considered for the conferment of these awards, such as, but not limited to, work performance, exemplary contributions, work ethics, attendance, length of service and other relevant documentary requirements.

The PRAISE Committee is composed of selected Offices in the Department, namely the Undersecretary for Administration (OUA) as Chair, Undersecretary for Policy (OUP) as Vice Chair, Legal Affairs (OLA), Personnel and Administrative Services (OPAS), Financial Management Service (OFMS), Protocol (OP), Heads of DFA Personnel Association (DFAPA) and DFA Rank and File Association (DFARFA), as members. These Offices are represented by their respective Heads of Offices. On the other hand, the PRAISE TWG is composed of representatives from the Offices of United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO) as Chair, OLA as Vice Chair, OPAS, OFMS, and OP, as members. END