LUNA, Apayao – Civil Service Commissioner Atty. Robert Martinez lauded Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr. for uniting the civil servants of Apayao in sports competitions and other contested events during the opening program of the Apayao’s own version of celebrating the 117th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary here on September 4.
Martinez speaking in a jam-packed gymnasium took notice of how Bulut made a unique and spectacular way of celebrating the annual PCSA in Apayao through the active and unified participation of employees from the National Line Agencies stationed in the province who are clustered with other public servants.
“Ako po’y nagpapasalamat kay Governor. Maganda po ang ginawa niya dito sa inyong lalawigan. Inin-tegrate niya lahat ng activities ng month long activities ng PCSA. Lahat ng NLAs at provincial offices ay kasali. In other words pinagsama-sama po, pinagbuklod-buklod, hindi po kanya-kanya. Hindi kanya-kanyang bira, hindi kanya-kanyang palabas,” Martinez exclaimed.
Martinez said governors of other provinces in the country should learn and follow what Bulut did in his province. “Sana po, ito ay tularan ng ibang mga gobernador sa ibang parte ng Pilipinas,” Martinez said.
According to Martinez, the 117 years of existence of CSC is a reminder for public servants for the purpose of the commission’s creation. He said as civil servants, it is important that one looks forward for more effective, innovated and modern civil service. “We take a moment to look back and see how we have transformed through the years and how we upheld to the time honored principle that a ‘public office is a public thrust,’” Martinez said.
With this year’s theme, “Tugon sa hamon ng pagbabago: malasakit ng lingkod bayani,” Martinez talked about the need for compassion among public servants. He said compassion the nearest of which is “malasakit” in Filipino, is visible and one can readily recognize it.
He had taken some real life examples of compassion such as: a public school teacher at Oriental Mindoro who walks and crosses two rivers just to reach and teach the Mangyans; Volunteer teachers in Sorsogon who are riding a habal-habal just to reach their school; a multi-awarded professor and Forensic Scientist who turned down work offers abroad and decided to teach in UP;
Martinez also mentioned the applicability of compassion or “malasakit” in our own work place by making one service available and of doing extra effort and even sacrificing your personal convenience. He said there are three basic components of compassion such as: kindness, curiosity without assumption and empathy.
“When you had to work for more hours and even on weekends to finish reports or complete some tasks with no overtime pay from the government. Or when you serve a client with a little extra effort and care and with a smile, that is compassion,” Martinez stressed.
The senior commissioner of CSC has gone to Apayao 3rd time and he is so happy with the hospitality of the Iapayaos and the way Apayao gives importance to any Civil Service activities. “We are more than happy to see the unwavering support and participation of our fellow civil servants to this annual undertaking. And today, dito po sa Probinsya Apayao napatunayan ko and I am pleased to see the same kind of support and cooperation that you are extending to our annual celebration,” Martinez said.
In the afternoon after the opening program is the ground breaking ceremony for the project of CSC Field Office – Apayao Building at Payanan here. The lot which is about 1500 square meters is donated by the Municpality of Luna.
By GERRIAHZON S. SEBASTIAN