Director Gemma B. Gabuya efficiently and effectively led the DSWD Region III from 2015 to July 2019 towards achieving the Department’s mission. She consistently engages in professional development and in upgrading her competencies. The best manager is aware and acknowledges her weaknesses and take steps in addressing them. Furthermore, she does not rely on the current level of her strengths as she knows she can only get better.

She instituted many improvements and innovations in the Regional Office by enhancing policies and procedures and introduced new ones particularly along with planning, monitoring, and evaluation.

Director Gabuya is sure not to miss any of the criteria set for this award. She stands with excellence and the performance of the Regional Office can attest to it. Moreover, her leadership is invested in her trust in her staff and her efforts to manage resources economically, efficiently, effectively & ethically and advocate for networking ripples to many benefits that positively impact the lives of our clients. The effect of her leadership may be counted by her awards and recognitions, commendations and performance result, but more so, by how many staff she was able to inspire to become the best government employee they can be.

Director Gemma B. Gabuya remains firm and steadfast in upholding her principles. She is a person of moral conviction who is not swayed by political pressures. It cannot be denied that Director Gabuya wields the ideals of Good Governance with effects penetrating to the core values of her employees.  Being a director is her job, and being accountable, proactive, transparent and excellent is being naturally herself.

For these and more countless reasons, Director Gemma B. Gabuya was given a Pag-asa Award by the Civil Service Commission during the 2019 Hero ang Public Servant Honor Awards Program (HAP) on 13 September 2019 at Kingborough, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

Dir. Gabuya has been recently appointed as the National Director for Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.