Press Release
July 21, 2008

Loren seeks gov't bureaucracy improvement

The state of bureaucracy in the Philippines has remained one of the seeming hindrances to an otherwise smooth and effective implementation of government policies and business.

Seeing the need to infuse efficiency in the government bureaucracy, Senator Loren Legarda will be seeking the immediate approval of a bill she filed seeking to establish a Career Executive System that will improve the current concept of the Career Executive Service.

"As the country moves toward the turn of the decade, the government should start a no-nonsense effort to shape, motivate and modernize the bureaucracy to keep it in step with the times," said Legarda, author of the proposed Career Executive System bill or Senate Bill No. 1649.

Legarda said she will push for the immediate enactment of the measure, the counterpart of which in the Lower House (House Bill No. 3956) had already been approved on 3rd reading.

Under the proposed law, the government shall establish a Career Executive System Resource Pool drawn from Career Executive Officers who may be tapped by other agencies of the government for cross-posting to undertake especial works and unique assignments.

Among the distinguishing features of the proposed law include recognition of Career Executive System in the public sector governance, wherein the expertise of well-selected and developed-oriented managers - those strong, competent and responsive leaders that will serve as a stabilizing force and instruments of change - will be taken in full consideration.

"These professionals and responsible civil servants who rise in the ranks are a critical link between the government and the people, so a comprehensive program centered exclusively on them is but necessary, and hopefully by way of this measure, we could probably attain our goal for improved bureaucracy," Legarda explained.

The proposed law will also give emphasis on the first, second and third levels of the civil service system which has a direct hand both in the formulation and implementation of government policies.

"It is imperative that a system for professionalization and career development in the government be provided for by law," Legarda said, referring to the Career Executive System. Of the three levels, the third level constitutes the biggest as it embraces positions in the executive, scientific, artistic, foreign service, technical and academic services.

The law will also call for the creation of a Career Executive System Board, which will then establish a continuing program of training and career development for the Career Executive System, taking into account their accomplishments and managerial capability by way of periodic evaluation.

"This periodic evaluation system shall be the basis for the grant of incentives and awards, as well as for sanctions for poor performances," Legarda explained.

The CES will cover all executive and managerial positions in the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government, including constitutional offices and such other equivalent positions as may be identified by the Board, which is to be headed by the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission.

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