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The Public Manager

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The Public Manager The Public Manager

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CONTENTS

About the cover:

This year’s anniversary issue ofThe Public Manager depicts theevolution of butterflies coming out of the CES logo, which manifests the journey of transformation of CES exemplars and senior career officials that transformed communities through good governance and nation-building.

1In this Issue

3Harnessing the power

of Convergence for National Development

14LEADING BY EXAMPLE:

Career Executives Climb the Top of the Ladder of Innovation

362015 & 2016 Presidential Gawad CES Awarding Ceremony Highlights

ThE PubliC MANAgErOfficial Magazine of the Career Executive Service

EDITORIAL BOARDMaria Anthonette Velasco-Allones

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSPaul Lindon P. de LeonJoana Carla D. ManceRogelio C. MedinaRomil F. Tuando

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERPacifico J. Directo Jr.

LAYOUT ARTISTJoana Carla D. ManceRebecca Villas


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harnessing the powerof Convergence for National Development

Message from the Chairperson I join the Career Executive Service community in celebrating the 44th Anniversary of the Career Executive Service (CES). For 44 years, the CES remains to be a wealthy resource of competent, professional and integrity-laden public managers who lead change and provide leadership and expertise in the bureaucracy.

This year’s anniversary theme, “GoVergence, Converging for Sustainable Development” brings forward the value of convergence in attaining our collective aspirations for “matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay” in a society characterized by trust and a strong sense of community. In this time of strategic change, we find this theme fitting because as public managers, we have a critical role in achieving this collective aspiration.

As civil servants, we ought to begin with “Malasakit” to make the government worthy of people’s trust. As leaders, our client’s perception of us defines their perception of the institution we lead. My hope is for us CES members to continue serving our publics with deep commitment to integrity and honesty. For us to continue instituting governance reforms and help build clean, efficient, effective and people-centered institutions. Through it, we hope to cultivate public trust and create an enabling environment for fruitful partnerships and collaborations.

We have a tall order before us, but we can achieve this if we continue communicating, collaborating and converging until we reach our goal. Through convergence, we hope to engage more individual and groups from different sectors in the development efforts making them truly inclusive and sustainable.

Let us continue connecting across divides and communicating despite differences, and be truly proud as public servants because “Isang Karangalan ang Maglingkod sa Bayan”.

ALICIA dela ROSA-BALA, CESO IChairpersonCES Governing Board

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Institutionalizing Road Safety Education through STRUT

A Story of Cars and life Travels:Victory is on the road

By Marizel Christine A. Bautista

Losing a father to a car accident is one of the most painful thoughts a daughter has to endure when passing through roads. Perhaps the faint hearted will not take new turns and paths, but the courageous, upon preponderance and prayer, would take the challenge of public service and use the pains of the past as a potent source of strength for new beginnings.

The case of lady lawyer Noreen San Luis- Lutey is a power source of inspiration. Coming from the private sector, she was offered the position of Regional Director of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Bicol by then Sec. Jesse Robredo after the position was vacated by RD Ramon Roco after the latter’s retirement. Her practice as a lawyer was happy and fruitful, she also did not know much about the transportation sector. In fact, there were so many other reasons why LTO was not for her but after days of reflection she accepted the offer.

“I realized there were more cons than pros. It would be hard; as it is an uncharted territory for me but what outweighed the cons was the memory of my father as well as the chance to experience a paradigm shift – from one who complains about road safety, to one who is part of the solution. I found this challenging. I knew that road accidents will always happen and someone could lose a family member as easily as I did. I did not want anyone to go through that pain. I took it as my duty and responsibility to my countrymen. “ It was an issue of courage, of rising above self. It is a call Atty. Noreen could not ignore. It was also a turning point of taking road safety as a priority undertaking, a victory of an orphan over life’s tragedies so that others may travel safely in their daily paths of life and livelihood.

Her road has converged with that of the Department of Education (DepEd), along with DepEd Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Susan S. Collano because of one of her advocacies, which is Road Safety through Public Education.

As she joined many law enforcement and road safety inspections, Atty. Noreen saw firsthand the many violations committed on the road and the glaring reality that most violators are young kids recklessly driving motorcycles, oblivious of the risk they pose to the public.

Her advocacy started with the conduct of series of outreach programs in the different areas of the region highlighting road safety education campaigns that teach the youth, motorcycle riders, members of different Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) and the public in general about transportation laws and principles of road safety. “Talakayang Bayan” was put in place to teach and engage the public in dialogues and encouraged them to converse with LTO law enforcers on different land transportation concerns. It placed the LTO closer to the people as educating them on road safety provided many venues for effective interactions.

The overwhelming success of the outreach programs gave birth to the Students Today Road Users Tomorrow (STRUT) Advocacy, in collaboration with DepEd and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in 2014. Initial activities of STRUT included visits to different public and private schools all over Bicol Region, conducting lectures and fora on road safety and engaging the youth through social media campaign on its first year.

In 2015, STRUT PLUS was launched in the Local Government Units (LGUs) and provided growth to road safety advocacy not only among in-school youth but also to out-of-school youths, motorcycle riders and members of different TODAs (Tricycle Operators and Driver’s Associations). STRUT LEVEL UP kicked off in 2016 and included DepEd, CHED and LGU expanding the collaboration drive with more government agencies such as Philippine National Police, Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Health, reaching wider audience and bringing road safety education to a bigger crowd.

2017 saw STRUT on a higher ground as LTO and DepEd formalized its strategic collaboration to institutionalize road safety program in schools. DepEd Regional Office V through the Schools Division Office of Camarines Sur formally proposed the curriculum integration of the road safety education in line with the LTO’s STRUT project. The SALDIWA engagement in Dumaguete City in 2016 provided the staging point where ASDS Collano and Atty. Noreen were classmates. Together, the SALDIWA alumna became proponents of the project with the same advocacy for the preservation of life, as a whole, and the imperative of institutionalizing a mechanism to promote discipline and road safety consciousness particularly among the youth. This became their jointbattle cry for this project: The road is LIFE!

A series of discussions pave way for the final proposal which was officially called Integrating Road Safety Education through the Students Today Road Users Tomorrow (STRUT) Project between DepEd and LTO in Region V. Its primarily aim was to integrate STRUT through contextualized modules across subject-areas in the basic education program. Different writeshops were conducted by the DepEd and funded by the LTO, producing eleven modules with the top module writers of DepEd, who are Assistant Superintendents, Chiefs of Curriculum Implementation Division, Education Program Supervisors from the Regional and Division Offices, Education Program Specialists, and Teachers, contributing their skills and knowledge for the contents and strategic management and implementation of the program. Dry-runs were conducted by a select group of demonstration teachers under the supervision of Public Schools District Supervisors and the able guidance of representatives from the LTO, for content analysis and validity. Finally, two writeshops were again undertaken to refine and finalize the modules which covered related topics along the subjects Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao, Araling Panlipunan, English, Health, and Disaster Risk Reduction Management in the Elementary, Junior and Senior High Schools.

Through the patience, persistence and able facilitation of ASDS Susan S. Collano, the curriculum integration project was given imprimatur by Superintendent Arnulfo M. Balane of Camarines Sur and Regional Director Ramon Fiel G. Abcede.

The New Road


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Fate led Director Tutay to serve the public when she was accepted as Labor and Employment Officer III at the Institute for Labor Studies, the research arm of the Department of Labor and Employment. She gradually rose to the ranks and became the Director of the DOLE-Planning Service. This allowed her to strengthen core competencies in people skill, networking/linkaging, planning and organizing as well as establishing strong linkages. Since August 2013, Director Tutay is leading the Department’s Bureau of Local Employment, where she takes pride in her office’s significant accomplishment of re-engineering the two-decade old Philjobnet, the government’s official job-matching and labor market

information portal; causing the amendment and passage of four legislations to improve employment facilitation services, increase employability of youth, and embracing green economy; and institutionalizing the JobStart Philippines, a program for young Filipinos that seeks to integrate full-cycle employment facilitation service in their school-to-work transition.

Meanwhile, taking off from the private sector and another government agency, Lorna AnchetaYumul started as a Statistical Aide at the PPA in 1978. Choosing to help felons out of social stigma over profit and prestige, she triumphed to help bring back disgraced criminal offenders into the community later on as a probation Officer in the field of corrections where she rose to become the Deputy Administrator.

Communicating and Converging for Gainful EmploymentThe DOlE-bWSC -PPA Storyby Marizel Christine A. Bautista

What was a casual conversation between two CESmates blossomed into beautiful partnership that brought life changing opportunities to parolees.

The path of two generous souls, Dominique Rubia-Tutay, Director IV, Bureau of Local Employment and Lorna T. Yumul. Deputy Administrator, Parole and Probation Administrator met as classmates in Saldiwa 19. Both are passionate of their advocacies: Deputy Administrator Yumul on rehabilitation of probationers and parolees and Director Tutay on promotion of gainful employment.

Their Separate Journeys

Road Advisory In these new times, leaders need to “ network, reach out and pursue the much-needed collaborative culture between and among agencies, groups and peoples in order to widen the culture of innovation and produce more inspiring results across workplaces for the greater productivity, efficiency and effectiveness.”

Atty. Noreen advises leaders to pursue their passion. “When a leader finds something they are passionate about, the rest becomes easier. It becomes easier to put in the extra hours, it becomes easier to go the extra mile, and it is easier to put in a hundred percent to the project at hand. “

She believes that there are many people who share the same passion and enthusiasm to better the system, the community and the nation as a whole. “They are just waiting to be tapped. Reach out for them. Network with both the private and public sector. And lastly, keep the fire of public service burning, fan it, sustain it. “

No Pain, No Gain “Like any birth, this project is not without pains. The pains were fleeting as they were joyful because they brought out the best in the public officials and servants involved,” says Atty. Noreen. She said that time constraint, the diverse mandates and schedules of the two government agencies were among the constraints they experienced along the way. However, these obstacles were managed through careful negotiation and planning.

Issue on the copyright of the graphic materials used in the modules also surfaced since some were lifted from Internet sources. However, with the able guidance of the Deped directors, the team indigenized and localized the materials and letters were sent to the authors and owners of the published materials asking for permission to use the material for educational purpose.

Collective Success, the Aftermath of Convergence The success of the project is the fruit of the collaborative efforts of all its stakeholders, with Atty Noreen at the forefront of the project: coordinating and mobilizing people to perform their respective roles and motivating and encouraging the project participants especially in times when enthusiasm was wanting.

Especially mentioned by Atty. Noreen was her superior in the LTO and her able DepEd partner, ASDS Collano “My inspiration is derived from LTO Chief, Assistant On her department’s side, LTO Chief, Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante whose guidance and counsel helped make the project reality,” she said.

“On the part of DepEd, ASDS Susan Collano who is the proponent of the curriculum integration and contextualization of the road safety education was her staunch ally who performedthe role of a writer, editor, networker, mobilizer and all the attendant roles in each of the phases of this project,” she added.

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“I recall her sharing with me that she wants to help probationers and parolees be reintegrated to their community, family and the economy,” said Director Tutay. In particular, Deputy Administrator Yumul shared to her the difficulty of probationers and parolees in re-entering the labor force considering the stigma attached to them.

That situation provided Director the opportunity to inform Deputy Administrator Yumul of DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment

Program (DILEEP). “I told her that the Department, through its Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) has modest resources to assist disadvantaged workers engage in sustainable self-employment through their acquired skills and expertise while still in jail or rehabilitation,” she added. The DILEEP enables beneficiaries to plan, set-up and operate a livelihood undertaking by providing them ready-to-go, quick self-employment package of services consisting of short gestation training, start-up kits,

business counselling, and technical and marketing assistance services. The PPA, being a government entity, passed the qualifications as the DOLE’s Accredited Co-Partner and has direct contact with the probationers and parolees though its monthly meeting and monitoring.The Parole and Probation Administration (PPA), being a government entity, passed the qualifications as the DOLE’s Accredited Co-Partner and has direct contact with the probationers and parolees though its monthly meeting and monitoring.

A communicator at heart, Director Dominique reveals that INFORMATION is key to unlocking the full potential of public service. She said that, “using information at the right time, in the right place, for the right purpose could turn into a life-changing experience for the public that we serve.” She believes that the CES community has so much RESOURCES (talent, money, time) to contribute and harness to be able to alleviate the condition of those needing more attention from the government—the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. She feels a need for CES officials, who are leaders and managers, to acknowledge and value the great contribution of their support staff who are at the forefront of implementing policies and programs at the ground.

“We also need to cultivate partnerships we built, especially from the private sector for they complement the efficacy and competence where government may find wanting. Finally, let us keep that fire in our HEART burning in the name of public service,” she added.

The DOLE through the BLE continued its convergence programs, through programs such as Career Guidance Advocacy Program (CGAP), “Sa ‘Pinas, Ikaw ang Maám/Sir” Project and Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan (TNK).

Stories of successful livelihood convergence have been documented among transformed “entre-parolees” of Sorsogon and Masbate, the first convergence project ever implemented by DOLE and DOJ-PPA which involved 42 parolees and probationers in January 2016 . Then DOLE Regional Director Nathaniel Lacambra granted Kabuhayan Starter Kits for livelihood and economic activities based on the skills the beneficiaries acquired while serving their sentence in jail. Others received tools and equipment for farming and fishing. Total livelihood assistance granted was Php275,173.00.

Another success story of a parolee-livelihood beneficiary is that of 47-year old Joselito Gotera of Brgy. Lawi, Jordan, Guimaras who was among the 11 parolees granted assistance under the DOLE-DILEEP and DOJ-PPA’s Reformative Enhancement for Holistic Advancement of Beneficiaries (REHAB) project in Region VI. Gotera engaged himself in hog raising from the initial Php10,000.00-worth hogs and feeds which DOLE awarded and some amount from his savings. From an initial income of Php2, 280.00, he now earns between Php30,000.00 and Php33,000.00 in each cycle.

“Ito po ay ginagamit ko sa pag-papaaral at pagpapalaki sa mga anak ko. Nakabili ako ng motor para sa paghatid at pagsundo sa mga anak ko sa paaralan at nakapag-pundar ng kaunti para sa aking bahay,” Gotera proudly says. He advises other parolees, “Sa mga katulad ko po na nagkamali ng landas at hindi naman ginusto and nangyari, kung kayo po ay binigyan ng pagkakataon na makapaghanap-buhay o makaron ng panibagong landas, sana po ay gawin natin ito ng maayos at palaguin natin tulad ng proyektong ibinibigay ng DOLE.”

Early this year and in time for the Women’s Month celebration, 49 women inmates of the South Cotabato Rehabilitation and Detention Center and 21 parolees of the South Cotabato Probation and Parole Office received their livelihood check worth P496,000.00 from the DOLE Region XII. As a fresh start, these women beneficiaries engaged in micro/small businesses which include beauty care, carinderia, rice cake making, beads making, slippersmaking, car washing, vulcanizing, and ice cream making.

Success and Convergence : the DOLE-BWSC -PPA Story

Advice from the Heart of a Public Servant

Their Crossing Paths

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Upon his installation as the RD of Region VIII on September 6, 2016, he set the sail towards the implementation of Project LEAD (Lead, Empower and Achieve through Data-Driven Decisions) inspiring all his Schools Division Superintendent to craft their own Division Banner projects which echoed the principles of the program. The following month, the convergence of all national agency and local government unit executives and stakeholders witnessed the launching of the program. This turning point made 13 schools divisions and 4,187 schools implement their own needs-based and contextualized banner projects with passion, excellence and the core values of Project LEAD.

The road was not easy, in fact it was very challenging. Thanks to the strong will and dedication of Director Uytico which enabled him to devise a strategic program which started with communicating the virtues, advantages and benefits of project LEAD during the Regional Development Council Meeting where he reaped the nods of approval and commitment of support from the body.

says Regional Director Ramir B. Uytico.

Leading the LEAD Eventually, Project LEAD has mustered the support of the region as the playing field was cleared of misconceptions and apprehensions. After a year, it has become the rallying cry and aphorism of Region VIII.Creating Leaders: His Magic Wand

Director Uytico took his leadership by heart as he personally took the steering wheel in his hands. By creating more leaders among his followers, everybody now claims ownership of the journey with the same passion, determination and inspiration of their leader. Together, they broke the barriers by thinking and working as a team and restructured the status quo. Many hands are now steering their respective level wheels enabling DepEd Region VIII to host and develop student-centered and performance driven projects like Culture and Arts Expo, Region-wide conduct of School Quarterly Portfolio Day, Kids Can Bazaar, and School-based tourism brigades in many divisions. His leadership mushroomed into more able leaders and workers of excellent service, not only benefitting schools but also the communities of Filipinos in their area and the country. He never got tired of repeating the message of the Program, monitoring every step of the way, thinking outside the box but feeling the realities of the ground. And the field was filled with great harvests out of their labors. All of these started from one Project LEAD luxuriantly branching out into many more projects providing the best academic and social nourishment to the learners.

His hands are bare but his mind and heart are full. With passion, determination and excellence, Director Uytico wrote with his magic pen the history of excellent service in his area of responsibility engaging everyone to take part in planning, implementing, monitoring and replicating the success of project LEAD in their respective divisions, schools and communities.

“Partner with them, let them co-own your innovations. Let them know that your dreams are for them. Make them happy. Then, you will build a lot of allies who will march with you to your desired state.” These are his “magic” words of wisdom.

lEADing Schools to Foster better lives brings the Nation to greater heights

by Marizel Christine A. Bautista

“With them, work hard, work utterly and work best. Success will just be at the offing”

For him, schools are communities of excellence, each seat in the classroom represents a wheel of life transcending itself into the future. With teachers empowered to lead by lessons and example, the nation paces itself efficiently and effectively towards excellent life performances.

Thus is the case of Dumaguete and Region VIII under the servant leadership of Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Uytico who rose from his classroom teacher’s table to head the educators of his region by his heartfelt and skillful delivery of

public service, and eventually landed to become the Officer-in-Charge Regional Director of the Department of Education Region VIII. Innovation was the key to his success. Through a roller coaster of challenging events and issues, his sacrifices paid off when he spearheaded the campaign to bring unschooled children into the classrooms, raise school performance indicators through positive discipline, and rally the support of communities wherever he was assigned. Partnering with education sector and its stakeholders, his able leadership turned office and social politics

into a transformational teamwork benefiting not only his division, as superintendent of schools, but also his region, as the regional director. Ramir, as he is fondly called by his peers, colleagues and subordinates became the recipient of the 2012 Gawad Career Executive Service Presidential Award. This catapulted him to become an OIC Assistant Regional Director of region XIII and to his present post as OIC-Regional Director of Region VIII, in less than a year.

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“It was poignant singing Lupang Hinirang in front of wounded soldiers who were in Marawi’s battlefield,” says CESB Executive Director Maria Anthonette C. Velasco-Allones. That was on 26 September 2017, during the unfolding of the CESB’s new endeavour, the “#siyapmaranaw” project at the Camp Evangelista Station Hospital (CESH) in Cagayan de Oro City.

Converging the Community for a Cause“Siyapmaranaw”

Siyapmaranaw, which literally means care for the people of Lanao, is an external relations project of the CESB which aims to engage the Career Executive Service (CES) Community in an organized effort to help rebuild the lives torn by the armed conflict in Marawi City.

Jointly organized by the Career Executive Service Board (CESB) , the Department of Health (DOH) Region X and the Camp Evangelista Station Hospital, the program was launched in consonance with the 117th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Civil Service as it was deemed fitting to its theme, “Tugon sa Hamon ng Pagbabago: Malasakit ng Lingkod Bayani’”.

Executive Director Allones and DOH Region X Regional Director Nimfa B. Torrizo gave solidarity messages before the 62 ambulant patients of the CESH, followed by a ceremonial turnover of donations from various individuals and groups, such as DOH-Region X, CESB, Career Executive Officers of Northern Mindanao headed by Department of Budget and Management Region X Regional Director Annabelle M. Atillo, Halili Cruz School of Ballet,

Region Eight Administrators League (REAL) headed by DBM Region VIII Regional Director Imelda C. Laceras and Bangsamoro Executives and Leaders League, Inc. Headed by Cooperative Development Authority - Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao Regional (CDA-ARMM) Regional Director Dimnatang M. Radia. Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4ID) Assistant General Commander for Administration Col. Tyne Bañas accepted the donations with gratitude and a renewed sense of hope on behalf of Commander MGen. Ronald C. Villanueva.

Right after the ceremonial events, graduates of the Project Paglaum Training Workshops, dubbed as “Paglaum Hope Bearers”, led the Psychological First Aid (PFA) sessions

with the ambulant patients in small groups and in batches.

Wounded soldiers who have not yet recovered from trauma and stress due to the prolonged conflict in Marawi City underwent a one-on-one psychological intervention with licensed psychologists cum CESB consultants Coach Tom S. Batalla and Ms. Peachy Gonzalez-Fernando. CESH civilian employees likewise underwent PFA session with Coach Tom, Ms. Peachy and some of the Paglaum hope bearers.

DOH Region X, under the supervision of Assistant Regional Director Adriano P. Suba-an, simultaneously provided social services for our courageous soldiers such as vaccination, dental care, massage, haircut, distribution of reading glasses and toys for the children of the soldiers.

Mental Health and Psycho-social Support Services (MHPSS) is one of the four Health sub-sector Essential Service Packages in emergencies and disasters of the DOH. In a meeting participated by the CESB and DOH conducted on 18 July 2017, it was pointed out that the current internal resource of the DOH was not sufficient to support the overwhelming need for MHPSS, not only for the internally displaced persons but also for the government workers and military personnel.

Meanwhile, the CESB has a pool of trained MHPSS volunteers through its Project Paglaum Training Workshop. Rolled out after the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda in 2014, the workshop have since equipped more than 500 members of the CES and other frontline civil servants with skills and competencies in providing MHPSS and PFA to survivors of emergencies and disasters. However, it needs institutional framework to deploy volunteers and provide services in a more organized and purposive approach. With the guidance and instruction from the DOH-Central Office and bound by the common goal, the CESB and DOH Region X begun establishing trust, understanding and commitment to the purpose. “It was an honor to be part of the joint activity of the DOH and CESB. This was conducted in cognizance of the heroic deeds of the police and military troops,” said Dir. Torrizo. Described by a CESH psychologist, as the most comprehensive outreach program she have yet seen in the hospital, the success of the program was attributed by Director Subaan to certain variables that were prioritized in planning and implementation of the project. “The interplay of participatory planning, need-based services, shared goal/objectives, use of collaborative institutional resources, partner trust, building on the success of existing projects, and external donors had resulted in the establishment of collaborative advantage among partners,” he said.

Director Subaan emphasized the need to advocate the project within the organization and then anchor the collaborative effort to its existing resources, processes and systems to promote the co-ownership and co-creation of the project.

Journey Towards the Shared Purpose “A clear purpose will unite you as you move forward, values will guide your behavior, and goals will focus your energy.”

- Kenneth H. Blanchard, Collaboration Begins with You: Be a Silo Buster

“We purposively looped-in the division chiefs for the support of the project. The Chief of the Local Health Support Division for the funding of the activity, use of existing logistics in the warehouse, and deployment of personnel and support staff and the Chief of Management Support Division for the integration of #siyapmaranaw launching to the lined-up activities of the 117thanniversary celebration of the Philippine Civil Service, tasking the Head of Personnel Section as the process owner in DOH ROX, and deployment of HRH during the launching in CESH,” he explained.

“Likewise, the service package of Tamang Serbisyo sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya (TSeKaP) which is being used in giving services to the IDPs of Marawi was adopted with the addition of other services best suited for the wounded/sick soldiers admitted in CESH,” Dir. Subaan added.

They say that key for successful partnership is getting the “right” people to the table. DOH Region X is indeed a strong partner, which according to Director Torrizo is attributed to their ability to work as a team. “Teamwork has always been a driving force of DOH ROX,” she said. This is also her nugget of advice to her fellow public servants, “Work as a team towards the attainment of a common vision.”

The Camp Evangelista Station Hospital it is the transitory hospital of wounded soldiers deployed in Marawi City prior to their eventual evacuation to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center in Quezon City. According to CESH Head Col. Jonna D. Dalaguit, the hospital has already attended to a total of 1,760 casualties since the crisis in Marawi City started on May 23.


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lEADiNg bY EXAMPlE:Career Executives Climb the Top of the ladder of innovation


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Being a Provincial Director or a head of the office gave him an advantage to pursue innovations taking advantage of his role as a manager and a leader.

Designated as Officer-In-Charge of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Quirino Province in September 2012, Director Maribbay was eventually appointed full-fledge Provincial Director in the same year. Currently as Provincial Director of Nueva Vizcaya, he endeavored on change and reform in managing people and the operations of the office.

He introduced innovations, administrative reforms and the use of information technology along with the delivery of services or fulfilling the mandates of the DILG to the local government units (LGUs). His innovations have dwelled on teamwork and convergence of resources in the implementation of programs and activities for greater outputs and benefits.

“It is very important that you first know how things shall be done and with clear objectives and

outputs before you will be able to converge with the stakeholders and/or the people you will work with. I have experienced it myself how things were done with the support and cooperation of all stakeholders and letting them feel my commitment to the tasks and to achieve the expected outputs. Being immersed and personally involved in the process made the convergence work well.”

Among his accomplishments is the Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) - Comprehensive Development Plan (CDA) integration, a two-pronged approach that addressed the need to formulate or improve the CDP, at the same time to align the CDPs with the CDRA.

Under Republic Act 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, local government units, acting as Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils are mandated to ensure integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaption into local development plans.

Converging to Fast track integration of risk reduction to Development Planningby Rogelio Constantino Medina

CDRA to the CDP preparation in one activity so that all the funding and manpower support for the technical assistance and training were consolidated as one. Hence, this became very effective which now lead to the on-going preparation of the CDP utilizing the CDRA funds cascaded by the Bureau of Local Government Development of the DILG and with minimal expenses from the LGUs. The framework enabled the LGU to tap external funding for the CDP preparation since no DILG fund was available for the purpose. While serving as Provincial Director of Quirino in 2013-2014, the CDRA-CDP integration workshops he facilitated resulted

in the preparation and approval of updated CDP’s of all the six (6) municipalities in the province. Now that he is assigned in Nueva Vizcaya, the fifteen (15) municipalities in the province are making their headway in the formulation and completion of the CDP integrated with CDRA.

He is described as someone who is capable in facilitating learning and transferring skills he gained. He values learning as a precursor of innovation.

“In the process of doing the initiative and innovation, I see to it that people (staff and personnel) within the organization are involved and ensured that they

also gained the knowledge, skills and expertise. In that way, all the initiatives with good results will be repeated or replicated and eventually sustained. It has been also my policy as an expert to multiply myself by way of capacitating people and be able to transfer or share to them the knowledge, skills/expertise and attitudes on a certain field in the process of doing the innovation so that this initiative will live longer and be sustained bringing continuous benefits to the client-LGUs. Hence, it redounds to simple steps: train and capacitate people, involve/immerse them, and document,” said provincial Director Maribbay.

Provincial DirectorMaribbay Considered as the Region II’s CDP specialist and a planning expert, he conceptualized and initiated the conduct of the series of workshops for the formulation of CDP through a tri-partite engagement by the biodiversity project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – United Nations Development Programme (DENR-UNDP), Provincial Local Government Unit – Provincial Planning and Development Office (PLGU-PPDO), and the LGU with DILG providing technical assistance. Dir. Maribbay came up with a framework to operationalize and mainstream the process of


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With genuine Concern comes Passion for Advocacyby Rogelio Constantino Medina

Concretizing the building of a halfway house and livelihood training center in Guimaras for criminal offenders and prisoners who are under probation and parole system; championing the agency’s advocacy on education and wellness programs for its personnel and clients; and leading the hosting of the three-day 3rd ASEAN Plus Three Forum on Probation are on the top of Ms. Lorna A. Yumul’s major contributions as a dynamic leader of the civil service. Ms. Yumul, the current Deputy Administrator of the Department of Justice’s Parole and Probation Administration (PPA), is a proud member of the Career Executive Service (CES) community with a CESO III rank. According to her peers and subordinates, she is a determined, hard-working, and humble person who shows genuine concern for the welfare of others.

Skillfully Utilizing Collaboration to Establish Livelihood Programs for Clients The halfway house is a temporary shelter for criminal offenders and prisoners under probation, where they will be trained to enhance their interpersonal, social, and livelihood skills before they become fully integrated to the mainstream of society as law-abiding and productive citizens. The project is expected to be finished within the year. Moreover, the construction of a bigger center (the livelihood training center) in the same site is underway with the inclusion of a P54.8 million funding for the 2018 priority project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). It is a model of community-based approach designed to carry out residential and non-residential programs for the clients. Deputy Administrator Yumul’s untiring efforts to raise the initial seed money to start the program and to establish linkages with the government and city officials of Guimaras contributed to the realization of this dream.

Caring for the Overall Welfare of the Agency’s Staff She led an intensified drive to pursue the call for healthy minds, healthy bodies, and upright practices, starting from all personnel of the agency to serve as role models to their clients. She focused on a more holistic outlook and initiated the NCR PPA Educational Assistance Program, a scholarship program that extends financial assistance to the children and dependents of probationers, parolees, or pardonees who are taking a four-year course to augment their school expenses. To generate more funds and sustain the said program, Deputy Administrator Yumul spearheaded events, such as the PPA-DOJ-NCR-PPA’s “Takbo para sa Pagbabago” in cooperation with the local government of San Juan. Likewise, a benefit concert in observance of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week entitled “Do Good Deeds, Kill the Weeds” was held for the benefit of the scholars. In celebration of the 37th PPA Anniversary and the Nutrition Month, “Kusinarap Challenge Unlimited” was held during which the clients were able to exhibit their culinary skills. In addition, she headed the “Paligsahan Poster Making Contest” in cooperation with PPA-NCR Western Region, NCR PPA Association and National Commission for Culture and the Arts with the theme “Malasakit Mo ay Kailangan, Upang Krimen ay Maiwasan.” The activity served as a venue for clients to showcase their talents, express opinions, and release creative ideas.

Engaging in International Partnership for the Development of Rehabilitative Programs

The ASEAN Plus Three Summit on Probation, participated by 41 foreign delegates and 171 Filipino delegates, with the theme “Assessing and Developing Strategies in Corrections Towards Rehabilitation of Offenders,” provided an avenue for participating countries to share best country and culture practices and exchange of information, interactions, and discussion of measures on how this approach in correction from purely punitive to rehabilitative and restorative paradigm can be implemented among member nations.

This led to the designation of Deputy Administrator Yumul as the focal person or over-all chairperson in the Philippines’ hosting of such a very significant event.

In her desire to make the event a success and to show the expertise of the Philippine Correction System in rehabilitating criminal offenders, and at the same time showcase the Filipino culture and hospitality to the neighboring Asian nations, she worked day in and day out, stayed until the wee hours of the night in her office to accomplish all the tasks.

She worked over and beyond the call of duty, even going to the extent of willingly shouldering some of the expenses for the preparatory stage of the program, all for the love of serving the country and the public.

With her stewardship, she indeed took charge of every minute detail of the summit, which strengthened and ultimately maintained the cooperation and collaboration of the Philippines with its Southeast Asian neighbors when it comes to probation and crime prevention. As of this writing, three Thai probation officers are immersing with the PPA to gain knowledge and skills and benchmark with agency’s best practices. In return, Thailand offered PPA a foreign travel grant.

Thirty-eight (38) years ago, she began as a humble clerk at the DOJ-PPA, then later continued to serve as Probation Inspector; Supervising Probation and Parole Officer in 1980; Chief in 2002; Assistant Regional Director in 2005; and Regional Director in 2012. By dint of hard work and perseverance, she eventually inched forward to the agency’s second highest position as

PPA’s deputy administrator in 2013. At present, she chairs PPA’s fourteen (14) Agency Committee.

As a change agent, Deputy Administrator Yumul is looked up to as a source of new and innovative ideas who generates enthusiasm among staff to work for change.

Truly, she has personified passion in action. As a leader, she never stops until the job is done and is always on the go. She certainly never stops unless desired results are attained.

She has successfully made an impact not only in her agency, but more importantly to the general public and our citizens, whose lives are improved by her creative initiatives.

Finally, Deputy Administrator Yumul reminds everyone to not be afraid to pursue their goals, especially when they are aimed for the continuous development and betterment of the civil service. “’Pag ginusto natin, may paraan (If we want to achieve something, there is always a way).”

Deputy Administrator Yumul

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His work is no joke and involves big risks. Foremost in his mind is his duty to save thousands of lives whomight fall prey to huge volumes of illegal drugs.

A member of PMA Maringal Class of 1988 and a Career Executive Service Eligible, Wilkins M. Villanueva, former regional director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)’s National Capital Region, effectively led his team in arresting members of international drug syndicates through airport interdiction activities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) within four months (August to October 2016) and in dismantling three clandestine shabu laboratories and a chemical warehouse in three months (July – September 2016_.

As the Task Group Commander of NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (NAIA-IADITG), he supervised the airport interdiction operationsin NAIA’s four terminals. The successful arrests of foreign drug couriers and the confiscation of voluminous dangerous drugs helped built a good relationship between the PDEA

and international law enforcement agencies. This led to strong and sustained coordination and cooperation between foreign and local counterparts who played vital role in sustaining airport interdiction operations. These efforts also sent a message that PDEA “is leaving no stone unturned in its effort in preventing the Philippines to be a transshipment point for dangerous drugs.”

PDEA was created to serve as the implementing arm of the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) and is responsible for the efficient and effective enforcement of all the

provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act. It also carries out the national drug control strategy formulated by the DDBthrough a nationwide drug campaign program with the assistance of concerned government agencies. Director Villanueva is cited for having led in the conceptualization, innovation, scale-up and sustained implementation of peaceful barangay drug clearing operations nationwide. Since he started the Barangay

Clearing Program, an estimated 10,000 drug users have surrendered to the government and placed in rehabilitation for eventual reintegration to their communities.

His strategy of interpersonal communication and counseling in Davao City in 2003 has evolved and now popularly known as Tokhang (now adopted as a national strategy in drug operation by PDEA and PNP). His brand of tokhang was holistic and coordinated with stakeholders, which includes social

investigation and community preparation. Prior to heading PDEA’s NCR office, Director Villanueva served as Regional Director in Region XI where he first instituted the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) in Davao City. Through the BADAC, he was able to harness local government support in drug clearing operations. Under this governance scheme, all of Davao City’s barangays were declared drug-free.

“BADAC, which started as Director Villanueva’s thesis for his Masters in Public Administration at Ateneo de Davao, has become a template of today’s grass roots drug-clearing program,” said his staff.

He pursued the same innovative and relentless efforts in Region X. And when he eventually led the PDEA-NCR, he catapulted the region from rank 18 (last) to 9th overall in just six months, ultimately rendering it as the top-performing unit starting September to November 2016.

D i r e c t o r Villanueva’s team members describe him as a leader who gathers and welcomes creative ideas and inputs. He also puts substantial time and effort to evaluate such. Each member of the task

force is asked and given an opportunity to perform and innovate to attain the collective goals of the unit.

He exemplifies the attributes of an “officer and a gentleman” who courteously asks PDEA-NCR personnel to improve performance and processes using feedback and evaluation as inputs. He is admired for constantly spearheading change in his organization. It is the gifted skill of Director Villanueva that enables him to motivate agents/personnel to perform in a manner that optimizes their efficiency.

He is known for his genuine concern to develop other people in his unit, including job order personnel. He even used his own resources to send a job-order lady janitress, Ms. Montessa Vega, to take photography lessons and be later employed as a PDEA civilian employee. “Director Wilkins spent for my training in forensic photography, so I could be an asset to PDEA NCR,” vividly recalled Ms. Vega who now assists as forensic photographer for the unit, adding that, “He wanted me to take TESDA’s NC II course in photography and get NC II certified…I have joined some surveillance operations already.”

His people claim that he gives equal chances for growth and

self-development to all.Moreover, he effects change in the culture of PDEA personnel, resulting in the drastic turn-around of PDEA-NCR from a unit performing with mediocrity to what it is today. “He led PDEA-NCR from a low-performing office to be among the top regional offices of PDEA in a span of roughly six months,” attested a staff. Rising from the ranks within the Philippine National Police (PNP), he is among the few PNP officers who opted to stay with the PDEA when it was institutionalized.

His exemplary leadership and bravery, dedication to duty, relentless optimism, and splendid performance as an educator, drug buster and a civil servant were recognized through various certificates of recognition, appreciation, merit award and commendations.

Director Wilkins, now the head of the Central Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) at the Bureau of Customs, has courageously built his unblemished reputation throughout his years as a public servant. His integrity remains to be his strongest suit, apart from his demonstrated knack for innovative leadership.

Wilkins M. VillanuevaHarnessing Local Government Support in Fighting Drug Menace

by Rogelio Constantino Medina


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Assistant Secretary Myrna S. Chua is regarded as one of the country’s experts on Organization, Position Classification and Compensation. Her rise from the ranks to one of the top officials of one of the most crucial agencies in the Philippine bureaucracy is an instructive account of excellence, commitment, and selfless service.

In 1975, she started her career as a Project Assistant for the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP). A year after, she became an Organization and Method Evaluator for the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the same government agency which she now makes

a difference for. From this humble beginnings, she rose to become a recognized expert in her field and a luminary in the budget community.Being with the DBM for over forty (40) years now, Assistant Secretary Chua is guided by DBM’s vision of being an institution composed of highly competent and motivated public servants who observe the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. She is described by her colleagues as the kind of leader who is meticulous of the accuracy and quality of outputs of her staff, yet has a calm and motherly demeanor.

improving Service Quality through Transformative reforms

Proposal of new salary schedule leading to

EO 201 In 2015, DBM contracted Towers-Watson Consultancy, a leading global professional services company, to conduct a Compensation Study and Benchmarking of prevailing salary rates within the ASEAN countries as well as the private sector. This is for an attempt to amend the existing salary schedule to eliminate salary overlaps to recognize differences in duties and responsibilities of the existing government positions and to motivate employee performance and productivity at an affordable cost. It also attempted to make government compensation competitive by bringing it closer to market rates, as it is an unfortunate reality that some competent employees seek for the proverbial greener pastures.

The study by Towers-Watson Consultancy was used as the basis of the Organization, Position Classification and Compensation Bureau led by Assistant Secretary Chua for the draft legislation of the new salary schedule to be submitted to Congress. She made sure that the study would include all the information needed for her team to come up with the Government Compensation Bill.

Through the leadership and guidance of Assistant Secretary Chua, her team drafted the proposed salary schedule. She meticulously computed, reviewed, and ensured that there was a balance in rules and marketable rates. She set strategies and directions like the adopting of the Total Compensation Framework, an international best practice, which included the giving of allowances without deductions, although excluded in the computation for retirement benefits, etc. It will temper the cost on government but will maximize the net take home pay of employees. She never refused any opportunity to inform and convince the legislators and other sectors to support the measure.

In early 2016, when it was certain that Congress would not be able to pass the proposed legislation on the 4th Salary Standardization, Assistant Secretary Chua proacted and proposed a draft Executive Order. It was her who led the discussions to convince the legislators and Cabinet Secretaries concerned to push for the issuance of an Executive Order for the signature of the President.

All of her efforts bore fruit as Executive Order No. 201 (Modifying the Salary Schedule for Civilian Government Personnel and Authorizing the Grant of Additional Benefits for Both Civilian and Military and Uniformed Personnel) was signed by then President Benigno S. Aquino III on 19 February 2016. Assistant Secretary Chua’s strategies incorporated in the Executive Order include: recognizing differences in duties and responsibilities of positions as basis for appropriate salary grade allocation; linking and strengthening the performance-based incentive system; aligning the compensation of the military and uniformed personnel with the objective of mitigating the fiscal crisis building up in the military pension system reforms; and introducing the Monthly Provisional Pay, Officers Allowance and increased Hazard Pay for the Military and Uniformed Personnel.

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In 2013, Assistant Secretary Chua was detailed as Deputy Commissioner for the Internal Administrative Group of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) as part of a Reform Team. It was a big challenge on her part, as the BOC at that time has the reputation as one of agencies struggling with corruption. Being a committed public servant, this did not stop her from undertaking reforms on administrative, organizational, and personnel management in the agency to promote observance of the merit and fitness rule in hiring and promotion. She strengthened human resource actions and internal systems to curb corruption within the agency.

The first thing she did was to issue a Return to Mother Unit order, wherein she led to the discovery that 50% of the personnel were not performing their functions and are not in their stations per plantilla. These instances were indicative of the corruption taking place in the agency. Moreover, it was discovered that 50% of the human resources complement in the BOC plantilla was vacant.

Almost instantly, Assistant Secretary Chua requested for the authority to fill 1059 vacant items and fast tracked the selection process for 376 positions. In order to not compromise the quality of the employees, she coordinated with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for the conduct of the General Aptitude Test and the Ethics Oriented Personality Test for employees of the BOC as a requirement for appointment/promotion. This was an effective way of telling the employees and applicants that appointment and promotion will be according to the merit and fitness principle.

As part of the Reform Team, Assistant Secretary Chua instituted reforms to the systems within the BOC to professionalize the agency. She issued the following Memoranda:

• Prescribed Office Uniform for 2014 and wearing of BOC Identification Cards• Conduct of 2013 Year-End Assessment Activity• Report on Dormant/Closed/Reverted Accounts• Mandatory Reporting of Second Failed Biddings/Submission of List of Forfeited Articles that have Undergone Two (2) Failed Biddings• MOOE Requirements for the X-Ray Inspection Project• Provision of Petty Cash Fund to all Ports

• Revised Guidelines and Procedures in the Hiring and Promotion of Personnel for First and Second Levels of Positions• Reconstitution of the Disposal Committee and Creation of the Bids and Awards Committee on Disposal in the Bureau of Customs• Anti-Nepotism Rules on Appointments and Designations in the Bureau of Customs

Aside from the policies, Assistant Secretary Chua had the BOC office premises cleaned and cleared of vendors thus was made more decent and presentable. To encourage transparency, she had the hidden rooms or the rooms within another room knocked down. To professionalize the employees and the image of the office, biometric attendance recording system was installed and Official Business slips were required for employees leaving the office during work hours.

Amidst the death threats to her and to the Reform team, Assistant Secretary Chua did this all with her usual calm demeanor. She treated employees with respect and showed that she trusted that they knew their jobs which greatly helped in encouraging people to embrace the changes being implemented. She implemented the changes with impartiality. All of these reforms were done while she was concurrently overseeing the functions of her office in the DBM.

BOC almost immediately felt the impact of the reforms. Concerted effort of the Reform Team resulted in increase in revenue collection of the BOC by 5% in 2013 (from Php289.867 Billion in 2012 to Php304.926 Billion in 2013) and as much as 21% in 2014 (from Php304.926 Billion in 2013 to Php369.277 Billion in 2014). The increase in the collection for 2014, when the reforms were implemented for a full year was attributed in part to the efforts to build the competency of the BOC people performing the assessment of duties and taxes together with the monthly meetings Assistant Secretary Chua holds with the collectors across the country to monitor collections.

As a testament to the effectiveness of the changes made by Assistant Secretary Chua, some policies put in place as part of the reforms are still being implemented in the BOC until this day.

Reforming the Bureau of CustomsCompletion of the 4-year

implementation of the Salary Standardization law iii

In 2008, there was a need to review the salary schedule, as Salary Standardization Laws I and II had flaws that needed to be rectified, such as overlaps between superiors and subordinates which caused personnel management issues; non-inclusion of military and uniformed personnel; and failure of consideration of the qualification standards and complexity of functions of other occupations.

Assistant Secretary Chua led the team that drafted the legislation on the modified compensation framework. She pushed for the adoption of the Total Compensation Framework, a structure regarded as an international best practice. Total Compensation Framework includes basic salaries; standard allowances and benefits; specific purpose allowances and benefits; and incentives. It excludes Indirect Compensation such as life and retirement insurance benefits; employee compensation insurance; and health insurance. This will prove to be beneficial to the government, as with the exclusion of the Indirect Compensation from Total Compensation, it will effectively temper the cost on the government but will maximize the take home pay of the employees.

To ensure that government compensation will be kept fair and reasonable, Assistant Secretary Chua also pushed for the inclusion of a provision which provides: “a periodic review of the government’s Compensation and Position Classification System shall be conducted every three (3) years, taking into account the changes in skills and competency requirement in the bureaucracy, the relative demand for certain expertise, possible erosion in the purchasing power due to inflation, and other factors.”

These efforts led to the passing of Congress Joint Resolution No. 4, series of 2009, or the “Joint Resolution Authorizing the President of the Philippines to Modify the Compensation and Position Classification System of Civilian Personnel and the Base Pay Schedule of Military and Uniformed Personnel in the Government, and for Other Purposes.”

The Joint Resolution was approved by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Aroyo on 17 June 2009. It enhanced the competitiveness of government compensation by providing significant adjustments in salaries of professionals and executives.

The average salary increase ranged from 38% to 80%. Selected critical or hard-to-fill positions, salary increases ranged from 54% to 129%. Teachers, who comprise almost half of the workforce of the National Government, had a 54% increase, same as those for nurses. This promoted equity and accountability in government.

Assistant Secretary Chua is an epitome of an exemplary public servant: she has a high level of commitment; has spotless integrity; and puts premium on excellent public service. May her stories of triumphant successes in the midst of challenges brought about by governance developments serve as a reminder that CESOs are vanguards of excellence and must continue to be instrumental in providing and sustaining an improved quality of life for the Filipino people.


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Being a public school teacher requires a lot of sacrifice as one faces on a regular and unending basis the tall task of educating learners of diverse backgrounds, managing the classroom as well as the ratings of students which is derived from daily activities, and continually learning to deliver interesting, relevant and timely lessons for the empowerment of the youth. It is a never ending flow of ebbs and tides that fosters the ocean of knowledge. Quite literally, this is doubly faced in Catbalogan, Samar, a city by the sea. Superintendent Eco studied the existing difficulties and issues experienced by teachers at work. Based on this, he conceptualized a system that addressed the information

Echoing the spirit of transparency, better understanding and bottoms-up collaboration, Superintendent Eco initiated HARAMPANG, a venue for community, teachers, stakeholders and the division officials to openly and face-to-face discuss, understand and analyze the issues about school children’s development, and provide relevant and realistic solutions. Derived from the local vernacular Waray, Harampang was able to unite and make people work together, resolve issues from the very onset, and increase awareness and concern of the community on their respective roles and responsibilities for educational empowerment. This encouraged sponsors and collaborators to provide more material and manpower support to the division and insights on the issues that hamper growth. From the concerns raised during the quarterly Harampang, Bangka ng Buhay Project and “Literacy

Drive” came to life, increasing enrolment rate of Senior High school to 153% in 2016. With the support of Philippine Business for Social Progress and Standard Chartered Bank which donated funds for boats for boatsmen, training and startup capital for mothers, more students were provided the opportunity to return to school and further equip themselves for life, professional and technical-vocational skills.

The Bangka ng Buhay project addressed the problem of children from island barangays who used to swim or hitch ride from different boats in order to go to school in another island. The dismal situation of the school children in the island barangays has caused many drop outs and poor performance at school. Raised during Harampang, Superintendent Eco actively pursued fund sourcing for the project which incorporated three components:

free transport for schoolchildren, livelihood for boatmen and livelihood for women. The project reached out to school children and provided them ride on their way to school, providing access to education and improving performance in class. It has given reality to the government thrust that education is for everyone.

The project has improved accessibility of education and addressed the issue of poverty as hindrance to school attendance and performance. It achieved the desired results as school officials validated that there are zero drop-out since its implementation. Mothers in the island barangays are able to engage in alternative source of income while their husbands (boatmen) are out fishing. It triumphed over the waves that underpin low performance in class or children not going to school.

The division has many swimmers but they have to go to Tacloban City in order to practice swimming limiting their full potentials as every practice incurs cost and distance travel. The DepEd Catbalogan City and the City Government through its Special Education fund and with the help of barangay officials constructed a unique Olympic size swimming pool “in the sea” made of floating but

sturdy materials in an inlet in Sierra islands approximately 1 to 1.5 hrs from Catbalogan City. This pool which can be used by schoolchildren for free is manned and maintained safely by barangay officials. Superintendent Eco conceptualized the project and convinced the City Government to fund the “Swimming Pool” utilizing the waves of nature to minimize expenditures. In realizing the objectives and sustainability of the

project, it ensures its maintenance by involving and deputizing the local officials as overseers of the area.

Not only has the swimming pool project impacted in the athletes’ prowess in swimming and addressed the issue on access to better facility and cost, it also operationalized the awareness and care of people to the environment because they are involved in the care of the pool.

improving Access to Quality Education

By Marizel Christine A. Bautista

With 7,641 island in the archipelago, surrounded by tides challenging the Filipinos. In the area of Northern Samar, Schools Division Superintendent Cristito A. Eco, a dedicated educator and innovator turned the tide for the benefit of public education.

Trailblazing in innovative practices in his organization, Superintendent Eco proved that he is a change agent, a courageous leader who is not afraid to cross the waves of change and persistently swim afloat with responsibility in the sea of functions and commitments of his office.

Enhancing ECO System system needs of Division of Catbalogan dubbed as “Enhanced Computerized Office System (eCo System)”. The eCo System is a software program consisting of separate but integrated application modules that address the unique set of functionality and date security requirements, as follows: Basic Classroom Information System (BCIS), Human Resource Information System (HRIS), Document Management System and DepEd Catbalogan City Website. Linking up with supporters and sponsors for this project, he was able to harness the power of modern technology and peoples participation to promote “ease of doing work” and alleviate the plight of his very loaded teachers. This has a stunning impact on the students as teachers have more time to do the core business of teaching, developing instructional material and providing quality supervision of student’s growth.

Swimming Pool by the Sea

EChOing Transparency


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Superintendent Eco assumed as Officer-in-Charge- Schools Division Superintendent Division of City Schools of Catbalogan, Samar on October 13, 2015 and was appointed as Schools Division Superintendent on December 31, 2016. In a short span of two years, Superintendent Eco showed that he is a man full of wonderful ideas and has the true grit in pursuing and accomplishing them.

P eople of Catbalogan City, including City Mayor Mr. Stephany Uy-Tan hold him in high regard. Described as decisive, risk taker

but prudent, Superintendent Eco maintains a low-profile but given the chance to talk and engage people, everyone listens to him, commanding attention and providing inspiration to his teachers. He is a man who plans and works with them and patiently explains new directives or policies to others, and is diligent in seeing to their implementation.

He is regarded as mentor by his subordinates. He echoes to everyone the opportunity to think of a solution when problem occurs. As manifested in his accomplishments, he is untiring in

his pursuit for new ways of doing things, he has ready proposal for his programs and plans which he personally sees through completion, and really gets results from all these endeavors. His competence in optimizing organizational resources as well as those given by other stakeholders is laudable. His creativity is evident every time he comes up with useful ideas and made them really work for the organization in the most cost-efficient and result-effective manner. He has the ability to convince others to contribute and support his endeavors.

The Man Above the Waves

Superintendent Eco exudes openness in whatever he does. He has unquestionable sense of professionalism.

As one colleague related, “One time they visited schools in barangays that other school heads have not set foot on, a 4-hour walk going there and another 4-hour going back. His companions were exhausted but the following day, he still went to office.”

He is observed to be modest and not flashy in his bearing, maintaining simplicity in his ways. He leads a simple lifestyle with his family with possessions commensurate to his income and family status. He mingles with different personnel in the office and enjoys playing sports with them. His tastes in food are simple and he enjoys it with his subordinates. He wants things to be transparent, like in the procurement process. He has integrity and work ethics, doing the right thing with or without audience. One recalled a story of Superintendent Eco being given a payoff by a contractor of which he bluntly declined. He told the contractor, “Gawin nyo ang trabaho nyo, ‘pag hindi, babalikan ko kayo.”

Superintendent Eco is a valued public servant. Mayor Uy values his ideas and trusts him. The fact that the Director, Governor, Congressman and mayor

wanted him in their respective area is a resounding affirmation of Superintendent Eco’s unsullied reputation.

Consistent with the values of the Career Executive Service, there is no doubt that Superintendent Cristito A. Eco is greatly deserving of the Gawad CES for 2017. He is the people’s man, he is the Super Teacher, he is the man above Catbalogan’s waves. He is the embodiment of the virtues of a true public servant which we all strive to emulate as public managers.


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2015 & 2016 Presidential Gawad CES Awarding Ceremony Highlights


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CES in the Vibrant City of SmilesDiscovering the Beauty of BacolodWhether you’re into trying new delicacies, experiencing festive celebrations, going to adventure parks, or simply learning more about the historical remnants of the Philippines, Bacolod City is the place to be. Located in the province of Negros Occidental, the city’s monumental spots, rich history, famous chicken inasal, and many more attractions continue to draw guests from all over the world. Check out some of the city’s go-to places, must-try meals, and suggested hotels to help you realize why Bacolod is your next travel destination.

Where to Go?: Navigate Your Way around Bacolod

(Photo from tripadvisor.com)

Capitol Grounds and LagoonDrop by the Kilometer Zero marker situated at the Capitol Grounds and Lagoon in the heart of Bacolod City. The artificial lagoon in front of the provincial capitol building makes a great view for early morning joggers and bikers.

(Photo from lakadpilipinas.com)

San Sebastian CathedralAfter your trip to the Capitol Grounds, marvel at the beauty of the San Sebastian Cathedral, which was named in honor of Saint Sebastian, an early Christian saint and martyr. This beautifully preserved stone church was built in the late 19th century.

(Photo from jennydayao.com)

Pope John Paul II TowerOn February 20, 1981, Pope John Paul II held a Mass at a reclaimed area where the John Paul II Tower currently stands. Right at the entrance of the historical landmark stands his 8-foot statue made from synthetic bronze and fiberglass made by Brother Tagoy Jakosalem.

(Photo from jennydayao.com)

Pope John Paul II TowerOn February 20, 1981, Pope John Paul II held a Mass at a reclaimed area where the John Paul II Tower currently stands. Right at the entrance of the historical landmark stands his 8-foot statue made from synthetic bronze and fiberglass made by Brother Tagoy Jakosalem.

(Photo from thehappytrip.com)

Mambukal Mountain ResortFor those with adventurous spirits, try hiking at the Mambukal Mountain Resort at the town of Murcia, just 31 kilometers east of Bacolod City. Guests are always in awe of the area’s pristine natural resources and picturesque sceneries.

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