Civil Service Month focuses on heroes in republic service

By Jennilyne C. Role

San Fernando City, La Union (27 August) — This year’s celebration of the 109th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary in September focuses on recognizing public servants with exemplary performances directed to quality and productive services to the public.

This year’s theme, “Honoring our Heroes in REPUBLIC SERVICE — Responsive, Ethical Public Servants with Vision, Impact, Commitment and Excellence” highlights the patriotism, integrity, excellence and sacrifices of our heroes in service to the public and republic.

Memorandum Circular No. 27, s. 2009, dated August 10, 2009, issued by the Civil Service Commission, pointed out that the best way for public servants to honor the heroes among us, is not just to extol and reward their achievements, but to emulate their example through REPUBLIC SERVICE, which encapsulates in an acronym the tenets and traits of honest, hardworking and honorable service in the government.

Responsiveness is the primary duty of public servants, to address immediately and adequately constituent’s needs and be vigilant in defense of the republic against terrorism.

A public servant should be ethical in the highest order of principle and imbue our life with deepest integrity to remain public trust and support.

The public are the main core of the existence of the civil service. The interest and welfare of the people shall always be at hand. The public must come before its servants, as the civil service motto states, “mamamayan muna”.

We, in the government force, are here only to serve with courtesy, competence, honesty and promptness. As servants, we must always on the go to deliver the services expected from us.

Vision guide our daily work to build a better Philippines in our various fields and jurisdictions, guided by our nation’s body of laws and rules; various national, regional and sectoral development plans; and the policies and edicts of elected leaders that determines the impact on the lives and future of our people and our land. The people must experience the positive results of the labor of the public servants in their favor.

A public servant should have the commitment within that amidst challenges of government work, from limited pay, demanding hours and tough working conditions, pressures, perils, threats and violence, he remains to serve in utmost dedication for the nation.

Excellence means to strive constantly to enhance work, knowledge and skills, systems and institutions, to make Philippine public service the best we can give our people.

Among the identified activities stipulated in the memorandum circular to adhere to the theme include the completion of agency’s Citizen’s Charter, help desks and anti-fixer campaigns and staff seminars on customer service as provided by the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007, which the Philippine Information Agency – Region I have already complied.

Regional/provincial recognition and awards rites for the 2009 HAP finalists, Gantimpala Agad Awardees, Bilis Aksyon Partners (BAPs) and Top Rating Agencies in PASADA/”Brigada Ahensya” to be spearheaded by Civil Service Commission are scheduled.

Conduct of Public Service Ethics and Accountability Workshops, dialogue with stakeholders to improve public services and integrity, charity missions to poor communities, recognition of outstanding agency employees through the PRAISE committees, adoption of output-based performance evaluation system in pursuit of excellent service and other worthwhile activities can be done during the month-long celebration.

Massive advocacy and media campaign was also tapped to recognize hundreds of public servants honored under the Dangal ng Bayan, Lingkod Bayan and Pag-asa award programs of the commission who serve as epitome worth emulating. (PIA Regional Office I/La Union)