MANILA, July 4 — Civil Service Commission (CSC) chairperson, Alicia dela Rosa, on Tuesday underscored the importance of developing and implementing capacity-building programs that would enhance the professional standards and capability of civil servants, especially in terms of human resources management.
She made the statement in a press briefing at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) during the opening of the 2017 Public Sector Human Resource Symposium , which was attended by more than 2,000 participants from the government and private sector, as well as human resource professionals from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It carries the theme, “Shaping Change”.
Dela Rosa explained that holding the symposium is part of the CSC’s commitment as a signatory to the ASEAN Leaders Declaration on the Role of Civil Service as a Catalyst for Achieving ASEAN Community Vision 2025. The document was signed by at least nine leaders of the ASEAN, headed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Given the critical role of civil service in driving national and social development and in providing vital services to the people, dela Rosa said they gathered human resources in the country with the focus of helping these professionals.
“This year, we are providing HR practitioners the opportunity to join their counterparts from the private sector and delegates from the ASEAN region,” she said, noting that the idea is to encourage them to shape change on personal and organizational levels leading to ASEAN integration.
In the two-day symposium, she said, they will listen to the experiences and inspiring stories of local and international speakers that can serve as a springboard to wider and far-reaching changes, not just for the country but also in preparation for ASEAN integration.
“It is about inspiring individuals… and societal transformation through leadership… best practices and global trends imparted to our participants to help them manage transitions through HR,” she said.
The symposium is just one of a series they have held since 2013, with one focusing on performance management, she said, adding that in 2014, they zeroed in on HR and organization development.
Professionals in management training, life coaching, human resource management and organizational development joined international experts for the event.
About 60 speakers had been lined to share their expertise in human resource management, including concepts and insights in managing change brought about by new directions and management approaches.
Joining the symposium are international experts Ashish Malik, Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle in Australia; and Dr. Murli Viswanathan of the Carnegie Mellon University, also in Australia.
One of the highlights of the symposium, dela Rosa noted, is the “Dekada na ang ARTA”, which aims to showcase how Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007, which marked its 10th year since it was signed into law, has helped change public service delivery.
An ARTA Caravan was set up at the PICC to enable participants to get firsthand experience in availing front-line services in selected government agencies.
Among the agencies that set up their booths at the caravan were the CSC for inquiry on services and career service examinations; the Department of Trade and Industry for business registration and counseling for small and medium enterprises; the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for e-services; the Pag-IBIG Fund for online membership registration, verification of membership savings and loan entitlement.
Copies of birth, marriage and death certificates can be transacted through the National Statistics Office (NSO). Also included were the Social Security System (SSS) for the issuance of SSS numbers, online verification of contributions, loan status, and screening and receiving of loans and benefit applications; PhilHealth for online registration, member data record application and inquiries, ID and UMID application, and updates on membership; and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for passport appointment.
She noted that the booths of the SSS, GSIS and PhilHealth were the most visited.
“This is for the government workers who are our partners in delivering quality services to the people,” she said. “It explores the concept of change in human resource management’s transition from administrative and regulatory functionality to being an integral part of agency strategy.”
As for the caravan, dela Rosa said they plan to bring this to the barangay level. (MLMG/PNA)