It’s always the local officials such as the mayor, vice-mayor, councilors, and heads of local departments who receive the lion’s share of attention and recognition from their constituents.
But as Biñan City Human Resources and Development Office head Jenny Anne Sarmiento can tell, it’s the rank-and-file employees working behind the scenes who are the real movers of local governance.
This is why this September, as the Philippines celebrates Civil Service Month, the city government under Mayor Arman Dimaguila, Vice Mayor Gel Alonte, and Representative Len Alonte had prepared a complete roster of activities to engage local employees and give them the recognition that they deserve.
“Napaka-busy po natin ngayong buwan ng Setyembre, dahil halos everyday ay mayroon po tayong event para sa ating mga civil servant,” Sarmiento told OpinYon Laguna
Lineup of activities
Of course, no celebration of Civil Service Month will be complete without sports competitions among Biñan City’s local government employees, which for this year included competitions in table tennis, badminton, darts, chess, billiards, volleyball, and even esports.
Aside from sports activities, the city government also spearheaded a series of “Choose to Learn” self-help lectures every Tuesday in September to increase the capabilities of its employees.
“Mayroon po tayong topics on ‘Mental Health’, ‘Filipino Brand of Service Excellence for Frontliners’, ‘Gender Sensitivity’ at ‘Canva’,” Sarmiento explained.
On the second week of September, the Biñan LGU also opened the “2nd Kadiwa and Entrepreneur Booths” to encourage city employees to hone their entrepreneurial skills and help them augment their income.
The highlight of this year’s celebration of Civil Service Month, Sarmiento also noted, is the 9th Praise Awards, where the city government is set to award its outstanding civil servants.
Holistic approach
However, as the BCHRDO head explained to OpinYon Laguna, the city government’s programs to assist and encourage its local employees do not stop with the celebration of Civil Service Month.
Sarmiento said the Biñan LGU has adopted a “holistic” approach to its programs for its civil servants, which in turn encourages them to go above and beyond in their service to Biñanenses.
“For instance, mayroon tayong Learning and Development Program na nag-aassess sa gaps ng bawat isang kawani at nag-uundergo sila ng training, coaching or mentoring para mas mapaghusay sila. We also have an In-house Psychologist and Psychometrician under HR para naman sa Mental Health nila,” she elaborated.
Aside from this, the city government offers free scholarship programs as well as a “Professional Development Program” for local employees who wish to continue their studies.
This program, Sarmiento has noted, has mostly benefitted job-order employees, who are also given the chance to be promoted to casual or permanent positions.
“For example, sa DRRMO, previously ay apat lamang ang kanilang regular employees bukod sa Department Head, yun bare minimum lamang na hinihingi ng batas. But since naassess namin na nasa peligro ang mga tao dito na JO, unti-unti, every year ay nagreregularize kami,” she explained.
“This year, ang amin naman na tinutulungan na maregularize ay ang mga magwawalis, garbage collectors, social welfare aides at ilang traffic aides. It’s a tedious process since kailangan pa din na iapply ang principle of merit and fitness and we can only help those na qualified din. Also, mayroong isinasagawa na hakbang ang Sangguniang Panglungsod sa pangunguna nina Vice Mayor Gel Alonte at Councilor Toppe Alba para sa isang Merit or Gratuity Pay sa mga Job Order Employees na magreretiro,” Sarmiento added.
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