Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Karlo Nograles on Tuesday expressed full optimism that the CSC will be on track to sustain its gains and further improve its various programs for the coming year after Congress approved its 2025 budget on Tuesday without any hitches.
Nograles made the remark after the House Committee on Appropriations gave the thumbs up to the agency’s proposed P1B budget, saying the funds shall be used to improve efforts at modernization and digitalization as well as training and capacity building.
According to the Davao-born Nograles, “the CSC has been focusing on enhancing the skills of our civil servants at all levels post-pandemic. We’ve been advancing our digital initiatives, which includes the procurement of digital examination programs that are set to launch this year. The Commission has also accelerated the conduct of HR-related fora nationwide to better equip our government personnel.”
“Your CSC is silently but effectively working behind the scenes to develop a growing government bureaucracy into an efficient and effective instrument of public service. That’s our primary purpose and ultimate goal.”
The former legislator pointed out that the CSC has responsibly utilized 98.02% of its budget from 2019 to 2023.
“Efficiency and good governance have been key mantras for our big team at the CSC. We have made it a point to be extra visible to our stakeholders, to infect them with the same commitment and enthusiasm for public service. Layon nating pagtibayin ang kapasidad ng taong gobyerno para sa mas mabisang paninilbihan sa taong bayan,” said the former Cabinet Secretary.
Under Nograles’ leadership, the CSC has consistently sought out and publicly recognized the most outstanding civil servants, implemented direct public engagement programs such as job fairs and tree plantings, and improved the profile of eligibility exams to attract more citizens to government service.
During the budget hearing at the House of Representatives, he vowed to address issues raised by members of Congress relating to filling vacant government positions and readiness for flexible workplace arrangements.
The CSC chief explained that while each agency is tasked to fill its own vacancies, “the CSC will always be ready to monitor and reassess core qualifications. One urgent task for us, for instance, is the need to increase teachers’ salaries to solve career progression concerns.”
As to the adjustment of work hours to enhance efficiency, the CSC Chair noted that the agency itself has implemented a flexi-hybrid work setup in its central and regional offices starting last August as part of its promise to deliver uninterrupted frontline service.
“Your CSC is silently but effectively working behind the scenes to develop a growing government bureaucracy into an efficient and effective instrument of public service. That’s our primary purpose and ultimate goal.”
