The Ateneo de Manila University Government Service Award was given to Interior Undersecretary for Local Government Austere Panadero, the second DILG official to receive the award after the late former secretary Jesse Robredo in 2013.
A career executive service officer, Panadero has served the government service for over 35 years—from former President Corazon Aquino to incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte.
He has served as senior official under 11 DILG secretaries and helped ensure policy and program continuity despite leadership changes.
Panadero is well-known within the executive branch and good government circles for advocating inclusive local governance, promoting gender equality, sustainable development, and the welfare of the indigenous people, the elderly, and persons with disability.
The awardee said, “Thank you very much to the Ateneo de Manila University for the recognition. This will inspire us in the DILG to carry on with our mandate to pursue excellence in local governance as we urge local government units to become upright, efficient and trustworthy.”
Panadero was among the four individuals and one group who were cited during the recent ADMU’s Traditional University Awards.