METAMORPHOSIS: HRM TRANSFORMATION OF DILG R1 TO EXCELLENCE

“We are so excited for this event, and we are very glad that finally we are now a PRIME-HRM Bronze Awardee.”

Those were the opening words of Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 1 (DILG R1) Director James F. Fadrilan, CESO III during the Awarding Ceremony for the Conferment of PRIME-HRM Bronze Award to the DILG R1 at City of San Fernando La Union last March 22, 2021.

He also emphasized the role of the PRIME-HRM team in DILG R1 for the achievement of this new milestone for the Department.

“Our DILG PRIME-HRM Team is credible, accountable, highly visible, competent, committed, and spiritually endowed team that moves towards enhancing the image of public service and creating a significant difference in the lives of the people we are serving. This awarding ceremony is a testament of our vision.”

The DILG R1 PRIME-HRM Journey

“The journey of DILG R1 towards PRIME-HRM Level II has gone through almost the same process with that of a metamorphosis of a butterfly… the transformation was gracefully undertaken,” said CSC Region 1 Chief Human Resource Specialist Marina G. Cabañero during her sharing.

She added that just like a butterfly in its cocoon, the DILG R1 never became impatient nor have they attempted to shortcut the process. Instead, they were able to embrace or understand that step-by-step they would eventually get there, and like in a cocoon, wherein most of the HRM systems and practices are in a resting stage, the DILG R1, in its proper time has become a butterfly ready to emerge.

Meanwhile, DILG R1 Finance and Administrative Division (FAD) Chief Alicia C. Bang-oa, emphasized that the journey was overwhelming and intimidating because of the many requirements that needed to be accomplished and documented.

“It was not all smiles, it was sometimes not encouraging, and oftentimes frustrating. But having always motivated by the fact that ALL THINGS ARE DIFFICULT THE FIRST TIME and NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR A DREAMER…we slowly and gradually and successfully made things possible,” she said.

Conferment of the Award

The highlight of the event was the conferment of the PRIME-HRM Bronze Award. The Bronze Award signifies that based on the assessment of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) the Department has met the PRIME-HRM Maturity Level II indicators on the various human resource processes, practices, and competencies.

In his response, RD Fadrilan have shared how glad he is for this achievement and how grateful he is for the help that was extended by the CSC R1. He also thanked all the dedicated men and women of DILG R1 who have contributed and remained committed in accomplishing all the tasks. He even assured the CSC that DILG R1 will remain committed in implementing the PRIME-HRM to maintain meritocracy and excellence in public service to make the public happy, satisfied, and delighted.

“Ngayon ko lang nalaman na all of our effort started in 2018. That was one year after I took the helm of leading Region 1, and true enough one year after, Miles told me that we will now start PRIME-HRM. This will be one of the few legacies that I will leave Region 1 before I finally bow out of service.” he added.

He then ended his speech by posing a challenge to the officials of Region 1 to achieve the next maturity level of PRIME-HRM. “Achieve the Silver Award or the Level III of PRIME-HRM by. Do not forget our motivation of consistently doing our best to be counted as one of the top performing regions of the Department”, he said.

On the other hand, CSC Regional Director Hedy Jose R. Lardizabal shared how happy he is for DILG R1 and commended the efforts of each and every personnel of the Department.

“To RD James and ARD Agnes together with the magigiting na provincial directors and division chiefs and to the rest who really shared their talents, efforts, and everything in order to achieve this feat, saludo po kami sa inyo. Talagang matino, mahusay, at maaasahan na serbisyo. Indeed, this is your moment,” he said.

“Everyone, even us, we were not excused from the experience of being overwhelmed by the many things that we need to go through, but at the end of the day we will be able to realize, that all of these are part of the continual improvement of our services… also, our journey doesn’t end here, rather it has proven that we can do things as long as we unite our efforts… This awarding ceremony is now the manifestation of the coordinated, collaborative, and well-defined joining of our minds and hearts. Let us not forget that this is not just for us but for the whole public service instead,” he added.

He then finished his message by saying that the CSC R1 shares in the collective recognition that every national government agency (NGA) and local government unit (LGU) in the region receives. For whenever these NGAs and LGUs give their best, the CSC R1 also reap the best.

The ceremony was formally closed by DILG R1 Officer-In-Charge Assistant Regional Director
Agnes A. De Leon, CESO V.

“Walang hanggang pasasalamat sa CSC and siyempre sa ating Regional Director sa guidance sa aming pinagdaanan at mga ginawa, sa ating mga Provincial Director na kasamang nagreview sa mga ginawa ng ating mga TWG, at sa ating mga Division Chief na kasama rin namin headed by the FAD Chief Engr. Alicia C. Bang-oa as the lead dahil nasa kanila ang bulk ng work to make DILG R1 PRIMED… Walang mahirap dahil sama-sama tayong lahat,” she said.

“I hope we can live up to the brand of our Department which is to remain Matino, Mahusay, at Maasahang kawani,” she added.

The event was attended by the DILG R1 officers and employees headed by RD James F. Fadrilan,
CESO III; graced by CSC R1 guests and representatives headed by RD Hedy Jose R. Lardizabal; and was witnessed by provincial and field officers through online platforms.

(LGOO II Bernard Victor S. Ringor and AO V Mildred M. Malapit)

DILG R1 attends dialogue with CSC on the grant of SAngunian Member and Barangay Officials Eligibility

March 15, 2021 – The DILG Region 1 attended the CSC-DILG Dialogue on the Grant of Sanggunian Member Eligibility (SME) and Barangay Official Eligibility (BOE) on March 12, 2021 via Zoom meeting, and it was spearheaded by OIC-ARD Agnes A. De Leon, CESO V.

The dialogue was initiated by the Civil Service Commission Regional Office 1 (CSC RO1), through Dir. Hedy Jose B. Lardizabal, to discuss and resolve issues/concerns relative to the grant of said eligibilities which requires the issuance of Certification of Services Rendered from authorized DILG Official at the municipal, city, provincial, and regional level.

The CSC RO1 presented the preconditions to qualify, documentary requirements to submit, and regulatory timelines to follow for each of the eligibility grants. The discrepancies in the issued certifications, as well as in their corresponding attachments, were also discussed.

In response to the presented issues and concerns, OIC-ARD De Leon enjoined the accomplishment of an inventory of DILG Offices in Region 1 with/without dry seal. Also, the DILG Regional Office will be coordinating with the LGUs in the provision of dry seal to the DILG Field Offices based on the result of the inventory. The availability of dry seal in the city/municipal local government operations office will aid in facilitating the processing of SME and/or BOE applications.

The CSC was likewise requested by the DILG to provide a reference for the CSC-advised dates of election, terms of office, and consequent prescriptive periods for accuracy and uniformity in the issuance of certifications and masterlist of officials.

In consideration of the new normal, OIC-ARD De Leon recommended the DILG Regional/Provincial/Field Offices to serve as conduit between the applicant and the authorized CSC RO/PO in facilitating acceptance of the application, and release of the corresponding Certificate of Eligibility (COE) should the application for eligibility grant be approved. Finally, she reminded the participant-DILG Officers to be guided and to strictly follow the CSC Memorandum Circular No. 13, s. 2012 dated August 2, 2012 for the BOE, and CSC Memorandum Circular No. 12, s. 2013 dated May 31, 2013 for the SME.

The DILG is one with CSC in the commitment to deliver the utmost quality of service in the shortest possible time.

The dialogue was also participated in by the Provincial Directors, Cluster Leaders, LGCDD Chief Pedro D. Gonzales, Program Managers, C/MLGOOs, and the Regional and Provincial Focal Persons. 

 -LGOO V Rhealiza A. Delos Santos

DILG Region I conducts 3-in-1 Book Launching Ceremony

The hybrid event (face-to-face and via online) was participated by 129 LGUs, members of the LGRRC, Provincial LGRCs, Multi Stakeholder Advisory Council (MSAC) Members composed of representatives from NEDA, PSA, PIA, CHED, DTI, DENR, TESDA, DA, DSWD and DBM, and DILG Field Officers.

 

In his opening remarks, Regional Director James Fadrilan expressed his gratitude for the hard work shown by the DILG Region 1 LGRRC Team in making this historic event possible. He thanked all the guests and participants and the Local Chief Executives for supporting the activity.

Support to Local Government Program Manager (SLGP) Richard Villacorte and Bureau of Local Government Development(BLGD) Director Anna Liza Bonagua graced the event with their congratulatory messages as well as Local Government Academy (LGA) Executive Director Thelma Vecina who played as the keynote speaker.

 

LGCDD Chief Pedro Gonzales, LGOO VI Nicolette Amon and LGOO VI Giezl Polca presented the following books which were unveiled RD James Fadrilan, OIC-ARD Agnes de Leon and Assistant LGRRC Manager PD Reggie Colisao:

Panangsaranget ti Pangta ti COVID-19

CDP Facilitator’s Toolkit

Compendium of LGRRC1 Service Offerings

Copies of the books were afterwards presented by LGMED Chief Rhodora Soriano, FAD Chief Alicia Bang-oa and LGOO V Benedicta Barnachea and accepted by PD Virgilo Sison who represents the Provincial LGRRC, Ms. Daisy Sayangda representing the MSAC, and Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil, President of the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines.

PO III Alethea A. Cedo

DILG RO1 PIONEERING THE 2020 VIRTUAL LTIA: Regional Awarding Ceremony

The DILG RO1 hosted its first ever virtual LTIA Regional Awarding Ceremony with the theme, “Lupon Paragons During the Pandemic”. The awarding ceremony was held on February 23, 2021 at the DILG RO1 Conference Hall. This is the “first among the regions” virtual Regional Ceremony in the entire Philippines.

In her opening remarks, OIC-ARD Agnes A. De Leon welcomed the nominees and all the DILG Officers and LGU Officials present virtually and on-site. She expressed her warm gratitude to all the Lupong Tagapamayapa and Barangay Officials who are rendering their unwavering service amidst the CoViD-19 pandemic. “The LTIA is an avenue to recognize the exemplary performance of our Lupon including their innovations and responses. I hope this LTIA awards will motivate all the Lupon members throughout our region in aiming to be the winner. And to those who will win, the challenge is to sustain and maintain your performance”, ARD De Leon stressed in her message.

BLGS OIC Director Vivian P. Suansing commended the DILG RO1 team for hosting the first ever 2020 LTIA Regional Awarding. She informed the way forward for LTIA in 2021, among which is the launching of the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Award Information System (LTIA-IS).

Gracing the occasion is our OIC-DILG Secretary Bernardo C. Florece, Jr. In his message, he applauded the efforts of the Lupong Tagapamaya saying, “I salute you for rising above the many limitations, complications and wide array of challenges this set-up has brought us. Sa pagharap sa mga pagsubok na ito, batid ko ang malaking responsibilidad na kailangan ninyong harapin at gampanan. Alam ko ring bukod sa inaasahang sandalan ng mga hindi pagkakaintindihan ay kabi-kabila ang pinagkakatiwalang trabaho sa inyo nitong nakaraang taon sa paglaban sa pandemya. Sa kabila nito ay nananatili kayong tapat at masigasig sa inyong tungkulin bilang mga Lupon.”

Moving on to the most awaited part of the ceremony, Emcees Michael David S. Casignia and Liza May A. Colisao presented the overview of the LTIA criteria. The regional winner for the 4^th-6^th Income Class Municipality Category is Brgy. Batchelor West, Natividad, Pangasinan headed by Punong Barangay Felomina N. Garcia. For the 1^st-3^rd Income Class Municipality, the regional winner is Brgy. Bantayan, Mangaldan, Pangasinan led by Punong Barangay Ritchie D. Abalos. And for the last category which is the Component City, the regional winner is Brgy. 3 – Nuestra Señora Del Rosario, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte headed by Punong Barangay Suzanne M. Bueno. All winners will receive a Plaque of Appreciation and P10, 000. 00 cash prize from DILG Regional Program Funds. Certificates of Appreciation were also awarded to the members of the Regional Awards Committee (RAC) for their full support and enthusiasm in paving the way for the Lupon towards achieving greater heights at the national level.

(IO II Liana M. Lalata)

Balangayan Constitutional Reform Provincial Roadshow

The Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 1 (DILG R1), together with the Center for Federalism and Constitutional Reform – Project Management Office (CFCR-PMO), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), National Government Agencies (NGAs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and other stakeholders conducted a “balangayan” activity, dubbed as Constitutional Reform (CoRe) Provincial Roadshow, to advocate the importance of effecting surgical amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

It was attended by more than 8,000 participants from the local government units (LGUs), business sector, religious groups, academe, and ordinary citizens, among others.

The CFCR-PMO, who served as the resource speakers, was composed of Secretary Gary B. Olivar, Professor Eric Daniel C. De Torres, and Professor Jose Ramon C. Casiple.

The CoRe Roadshow, divided into three components – Media Forum, Townhall Meeting, and Convention Rally and CoRe Talk, was conducted in the four (4) provinces to elicit massive public support. (as shown in Figure 1)

The Media Forum provided the venue for discussion among the CFCR, media, elected officials, and LGU leagues such as the Philippine Councilors League (PCL). Issues and concerns on the difference between Federalism and Constitutional Reform, and their pros and cons were addressed. The media served as a force multiplier in the campaign to strengthen the national discourse on CoRe.

The Townhall Meeting operated as a gathering for various stakeholders where updates and accomplishments on the CoRe advocacy campaign were reported by the CFCR. The four pillar-message house composed of (1) Pagyamanin ang Probinsya, Paluwagin ang Metro Manila; (2) Gobyerno para sa Tao, Hindi para sa Trapo; (3) Bukas na ekonomiya nang lahat ay may pag-asa; and (4) Bagong konstitusyon para sa bagong henerasyon were also explained for the participants to have a better appreciation of its relevance.

The Convention Rally and CoRe Talk catered to the questioning minds of elected officials, CSOs, academe, barangays and the youth. The CFCR emphasized on the message, “Baguhin ang lumang Sistema! Isulong and bagong konstitusyon!” They clarified that the drive to modify the Constitution means adapting to and addressing the ideals and needs of the youth and the future generations. They also stressed that CoRe will eliminate the development restrictions provided for in the present Constitution. This stirred the interest of the participants as manifested in a very dynamic open forum. 

What happens today affects the future. The CoRe Provincial Roadshows work as a strong foundation. Expect that the DILG R1’s campaign for people awareness, involvement, and readiness to accept change will only intensify. 

(LGOO IV Rhealiza A. Delos Santos & CFCR-RPO Willy D. De Vera)