BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Finance (DOF), thru the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) in cooperation with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), is all set for the conduct of the first Basic Competency for the Local Treasury Examination (BCLTE) and Ethics Oriented Personality Test (EOPT) nationwide on December 6, 2015.
In the Cordillera Administrative Region a total of 160 local treasurers and some treasury personnel from the six provinces including two cities will take the examination to be administered at the Baguio City National High School (BCNHS).
Based from the announcement posted online by the BLGF, the scope of the examination focused on the following areas: Management of local Treasury Services, Mobilization of Resources, Management of Inter-Government and Other Fund Transfer, Preparation and Analysis of Treasury Reports, Safekeeping of Local Funds and Records, Coordinating and Communicating Local Treasury Matters with Stakeholders, Management of Public Management, and Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards, Leadership, Management and Analytical Thinking.
Regional Director Ricardo T. Cawed of the BLGF-CAR during the Regional Association of Treasurers and Assessors (REGATA) conference held at Skyrise Hotel, Baguio City on November 25-27, 2015 reminded the examinees to report to their testing center before 6:00 in the morning for a personal ocular inspection on their own respective room assignment. He warned that the gates of the testing center shall be close at 7:00 AM. Examinees that arrive later than 7:00 AM shall not be admitted.
According to the director, the BCLTE, with the accompanying EOPT, is mandatory for all permanent and designated provincial, city and municipal treasurers and assistant treasurers, whether retirable or not. Other local employees, particularly from the local treasury or accounting, may also take the BCLTE as a qualifying examination, provided that they already meet the minimum requirements for treasurer or assistant treasurer position as prescribed by the Local Government Code.
According to Department Order No. 06-2015, dated January 20, 2015 issued by DOF Secretary Ceasar V. Purisima, the results of the examination will be used by the department as basis for appointment and other personnel actions, such as promotion, renewal of designation and extension of service, capacity building, and awards and recognition.
On the other hand, treasurers who fail to meet the benchmark will be given assistance to improve performance, but if the results continue to be unacceptable, the DOF will institute appropriate administrative actions.
One of the local treasurers, who opted not to be identified and is due to retire next year, is optimistic that she will pass the exam prior to her retirement.
“I’m sure I will pass the challenge before I retire on the second semester of 2016.” She quipped. By Alfredo Macaling
