For the fifth time, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has been cited by the Career Executive Service Board (CESB) for its efforts in scaling up the level of competence of its officials as it was recognized as the fifth best national government agency (NGA) with the highest Career Executive Service Performance Evaluation System (CESPES) compliance rate for 2021 (90%) and one of the Top 5 NGAs with the highest CES occupancy rate (58.10%) as of September 30, 2022.

DILG Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr. said both awards are testimonies to the Department’s commitment and support to CESB’s efforts to upskill and reskill government workers; its excellent contribution to the digitalization of the CESPES; and for placing CES Officers (CESOs) and CES Eligibles (CESEs) to career positions in the Department.

He expressed gratitude to the CESB for the accolades which are manifestations of the Department’s hard work and dedication to raising the level of competence of its human capital and nurturing them to become reliable civil servants.

“We send our heartfelt appreciation to CESB for these recognitions. Moving forward, DILG ensures that we will continue enhancing the skills, knowledge, working conditions and career development of our employees to live up to the Department’s brand of public service – one that is ‘matino, mahusay, at maaasahan’ – and take part in the realization of the development goals of the Marcos administration,” Abalos said.

The DILG Secretary said the recognitions manifest the Department’s commitment to upholding the high standards of the Quality Management System in order to deliver efficient technical and administrative services, promote good local governance and achieve client satisfaction.

Established by the CESB, CESPES is the official semestral performance evaluation system for the members of the CES, which serves as the basis for personnel actions such as promotional appointments, salary adjustments, and granting of incentives.

Moreover, the DILG Chief said that the Department was also hailed as one of CESB’s Outstanding Human Resource (HR) Partners in 2022 for advancing support and learning initiatives for CES.

Abalos also credited this citation to Assistant Secretary for Human Resources Development Florida M. Dijan, who was honored by CESB for her distinguished service in the government.

“We commend Asec. Dijan for her innovative and proactive strategies in the Department and of course, the whole DILG HR personnel for their efforts in future-proofing the DILG’s workforce in order to meet the present and future needs and build a strong organization that can overcome internal and external challenges,” he said.

Based on Executive Order No. 80, the Enhanced CESPES instruments include the following Performance Commitment and Review Components: Organizational Strategic Objectives, Office Performance Objectives, Performance Outcomes, Ratee’s Performance Commitment/s and Ratee’s Performance Results. These are aligned with the 6 core competencies, the Strategic and Critical Thinking, Leading in a Continuously Changing Environment, Empowering/Developing Others to Establish Collective Accountability for Results, Linkaging and Networking for Productive Partnerships, Planning/Organizing for Greater Impact, and Driving Performance for Integrity and Service.

During the 49th Founding Anniversary and 2022 Career Executive Service Lifelong Learning for Leadership Congress (2022 CESCON) held recently, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. urged CESOs and CESEs to carry out their mandates efficiently and proactively and utilize their learnings to effect changes amidst all the obstacles facing the country.

“But as we take the daunting task that is ahead of us, I ask you to actively take part in pursuing this Administration’s 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda — policies that promote social justice, ensure food security, accelerate progress, protect our environment, and address climate change,” the President said.

Themed “RebounCES: Bounce Back Better,” the 2022 CESCON provided an avenue for the oath-taking of 96 new CESEs who passed the CES Eligibility Examination, the graduation of the Leadership and Management Proficiency Program Class of 2022, the annual tribute to retiring CES members and recognition of CES Partners. ###