DAGUPAN CITY – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) in Pangasinan launched the month-long celebration of the 124th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA) with a fun run for a cause dubbed “VibeRun: Takbo Para sa mga Servant-Heroes,” promoting a healthier lifestyle among civil servants while raising funds for a worthy cause.
A total of 1,927 civil servants from various government agencies in Pangasinan participated in the fun run, which was held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen town on September 1.
Flordeliza Bugtong, Director II of the CSC Field Office in Western Pangasinan, said the fun run, which marked the start of Civil Service Month, aims to improve both the physical and mental well-being of public servants while fostering camaraderie.
“This event promotes the health and wellness of government officials and employees across Pangasinan because we care about their well-being. It also offers an opportunity for different agencies to collaborate and exchange views,” Bugtong said.
Beyond promoting fitness, Bugtong noted that the fun run also aimed to raise funds for the families of civil servants who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Romel Rivera, senior human resource specialist of the CSC Field Office in Western Pangasinan, explained that the fundraising effort will benefit the Pamanang Lingkod Bayani (PLBi) Program.
“This program, spearheaded by the CSC, provides a one-time cash award of P100,000 to the families of any official or employee who died in the line of duty, along with scholarship grants for their immediate family members,” Rivera said during the Pantongtongan Tayo program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Pangasinan on Wednesday.
The CSC is celebrating with a 10-year overarching theme, “Transforming Public Service in the Next Decade: Honing Agile and Future-Ready Servant-Heroes,” which highlights the collective efforts of the government workforce to adapt to the new normal and prepare civil servants to become more responsive.
Rivera added that aside from the fun run, various activities are planned throughout the month-long celebration, including:
- September 5— Virtual Media Briefing, in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Ilocos Region, at the CSC Regional Office 1 in San Fernando City, La Union
- September 10— Blood donation drive, dubbed Dugtong Buhay Handog ng Lingkod Bayan, at the CSC Region 1
- September 12— Medical mission for disadvantaged and marginalized sectors of the community (venue to be announced)
- September 13— Outreach program for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at San Carlos City Jail
- September 17— Tree-planting activity, titled Tree Growing for a Cause, at Daang Kalikasan in Mangatarem town
- September 27— Recognition and Awards Night at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMSU) in Bacnotan, La Union
Rivera said all agencies are required to promote the 124th PCSA by displaying tarpaulins in their offices or posting announcements on social media.
He also shared that government employees will enjoy “special treats” until September 30, with discounts available, and that requirements can be viewed in the PCSA section of the CSC website (https://www.csc.gov.ph/).
Mark Vince Ventura, a social insurance assistant at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Region 1, expressed his gratitude to the CSC for organizing activities for public servants.
He emphasized the physical and mental benefits of participating in events like fun runs, saying, “We need to prioritize our health so we can continue serving our communities. Running is a great way to improve our health. It helps burn excess calories and is a cost-effective exercise that can be done at any time.”
This year’s celebration of the 124th PCSA emphasizes the importance of sustainable management to ensure the public sector is prepared for future challenges and transformations. By Elsha Marie S. Arguel and Jonalyn S. Zarate
