CSC ramps up procedures to serve gov't workers better

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is the central personnel agency of the Philippine government responsible for the policies, plans and programs concerning all government employees, whether working in national or local governments. Its mission is to promote morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness and courtesy in the civil service. To attain this objective, the CSC is guided by the Civil Service Law which it enforces, along with rules, policies and standards on personnel management and good governance. The commission also provides technical assistance and advice to government agencies and offices regarding personnel administration. The Civil Service Commission under Chairman Karlo Nograles has been instituting various reforms—organizational and procedural—to help government workers and those desiring to join the civil service succeed in their career paths. The CSC has a main office in Manila and 16 regional offices to process applications and other documents requested by the public. We note that securing a Certification of Eligibility (COE) is more accessible now as it can be requested, as well as its authenticated copies from any of the 16 CSC regional offices regardless of an eligible worker's place of examination. "It will be easier for the public to get their eligibility records since they can request one in any CSC regional office. It also includes securing authenticated copies of the COE,” CSC Chairperson Nograles said. According to CSC, this new development comes with the completion of a system called the Internal Civil Service Eligibility Verification System (iCSEVS) approved under CSC Resolution No. CSC Resolution No. 2200677 last Dec. 16, 2022. ICSEVS allows CSC-authorized verifiers to easily and quickly authenticate civil service eligibility from an integrated database composed of passers of Career Service Pen and Paper Test and Computerized Examinations, and those granted special eligibility under special laws and CSC issuances. The CSC, however, clarified that only its regional offices are entertaining requests for COE. Its field offices do not issue COE at the moment. Further, the CSC central office shall only process requests for civil service eligibility required by the courts or other investigating bodies, through a Subpoena Duces Tecum, and an order and/or a written request by the CSC executive offices and Office for legal affairs whenever the information is needed in a pending case, complaint or issue, or to help a client who requires immediate assistance. As the CSC continuously improves its systems and processes, also under way is the External Civil Service Eligibility Verification System (eCSEVS) that will allow the public to view from the CSC website the type of eligibility obtained by an individual. This web application is expected to be available within the year. Since the government is the nation's biggest employer, it is necessary for the CSC to adopt and implement these reforms towards digitalization and use the latest Information Technology to better serve the Filipino people.