Month-long Philippine Civil Service anniversary begins

By COCOY SEXCION

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (September 6, 2011) – Local government and employees of national agencies in Sarangani and General Santos City opened their inter-agency sportsfest Tuesday (September 6) to celebrate the Philippine Civil Service’s 111th year.

“The birth of the civil service signifies the start of the Philippine government’s journey after the declaration of independence. Thus, it is an important hallmark in the history of our nation. All government agencies are part of this celebration,” the Civil Service Commission (CSC) stated in a memorandum.

The CSC is spearheading the 111th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary month-long celebration.

According to the CSC, “this year’s celebration is anchored on President Benigno S. Aquino III’s call for reform, daang matuwid, and on his pledge to implement change in government. The theme urges civil servants nationwide to respond to the call for change and be servant-heroes (lingkod bayani) by joining CSC in building a responsive, accessible, courteous and effective public service or R.A.C.E.”

This year’s theme is “Championing R.A.C.E.: Public Service Excellence at Full Speed”.

The celebration in SARGEN Chapter kicked off with a fun walk from Robinsons Place at around 6:30am to Lagao gymnasium where a series of activities will be conducted.

CSC regional director Grace Belgado-Saqueton declared the opening of the sportsfest.

The various sports events are basketball for men, volleyball for men and women, bowling, darts, chess, badminton, lawn and table tennis and athletics.

Participating agencies for these friendship games are the local government units (LGU) of General Santos and Sarangani, PAG–IBIG, General Santos Water District, Mindanao State University, LGU Glan, Regional Trial Court, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Food Authority, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, LGU Alabel, LGU Malapatan, Department of Agrarian Reform, and Department of Education as announced by Liberty Roxas, secretary of Council of Personnel Officers (CPO)-SARGEN during the presentation of players by team.

Incumbent CPO-SARGEN officers are Sittiehawa Marohamsalic, president; Nenita Ellivera, vice president; Liberty Rojas and Aijane Anfone for secretary and assistant secretary positions; Ursula Alvarez, treasurer; Helen Sanchez, assistant treasurer; Ruth Sheba Canzana and Roland Rene Gonzalez as auditors; Jocelyn Tenchavez, public information officer; Ernesto Quisay, business manager; and Edna Mahinay as adviser.

The anniversary celebration aims to showcase and celebrate reforms and milestones of government agencies as they fulfill their respective mandates.

State employees in all government agencies and instrumentalities are enjoined to actively participate in the activities and contests to be undertaken at the national, regional and agency levels. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)