Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman joined the University of the Philippines Manila in honoring its outstanding faculty and employees during the 2025 Gawad Chancellor Awarding Ceremony on Oct. 22, 2025.

“Sa pag gawad natin ng parangal sa bawat mahusay na empleyado ng UP Manila, ang ibig sabihin po nito ay marami pa ang mga lingkod-bayan na nagsisilbi nang may dedikasyon at katapatan sa kanilang mga trabaho. Sa pagkilala natin sa angking galing ng mga kabataan at kanilang mga organisasyon, ang ibig sabihin po’y buhay ang pag-asa ng ating bayan. At sa pagbibigay-pugay natin sa ating mga retirees, nangangahulugan lamang po na nagpapatuloy ang legasiya ng UP Manila sa paghubog sa susunod na henerasyon,” she said during the occasion which served as the culmination of UP Manila’s 43rd Foundation Day and the 46th Anniversary of the Health Sciences Center Autonomy.

Sec.Pangandaman reaffirmed the government’s pledge to award the UP System the largest funding allocation among the country’s 117 state universities and colleges (SUCs) in 2026, amounting to P25.82 billion proposed under the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

“This includes support for UP Manila’s research programs and continuous operation of UP Manila–PGH. Earlier this year, we likewise approved the creation of more than 1,000 additional positions for UP PGH to augment its existing medical, allied medical, and support staff,” she said. “We aim to strengthen the hospital’s organization and manpower capacity to further provide quality healthcare services to its patients, especially indigent Filipinos. Kaisa po kami sa ating adhikaing mabigyan ng mas mahusay at maaasahang serbisyo ang ating mga kababayang mas nangangailangan.”

 In September, the DBM official reiterated the Marcos’ administration’s commitment to increase funding for the education sector and vowed to work closely with the Congress to ensure approval of increased allocations for SUCs. “Education has always been our number one priority under the NEP,” she stressed in an official statement released earlier.

In the ceremony, she expressed deep appreciation for the awardees’ dedication and integrity in public service.

“Your inspiring stories, sacrifices, and wins remind us that greatness does not always have to be loud. It quietly manifests in small moments that matter, in simply performing our tasks, in showing up to work every single day, and in not giving up. I am sure that this recognition is not even your motivation,” Sec.Pangandaman pointed out.

The ceremony honored 112 faculty and employees who served UP Manila from 20 to over 40 years. Thirty-one retirees were also recognized for their invaluable contributions to the university.#

Press Release