Volume II, Issue 11

November 2011

CSC RO5 conducts Series of Trainings on Frontline Service To Public Health Workers

Public Sector Union ism Seminar for Trainers

Staff Development focuses on Relationship Enhancement

Civil Service Commission Regional Office No. 5 (CSCRO5) had consistently worked towards improving its quality of service: making it accessible to more number of people at a shorter response time. Through Dir. Cecilia R. Nieto and the Policies and Systems Division (PSED) under Ms. Lara Karen Lee, Chief Personnel Specialist with the assistance of Mrs. Malou Baduria, Supervising Personnel Specialist spearheaded the First Roundtable Conference of Region 5s Department of Education (DepEd) and Civil Service Commission last November 18, 2011 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall. Heeding to the challenge of making services more accessible, the CSC RO5 in 2007 looked into possibility of expediting processing of appointments. This matter was forged in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DepEd signed on August 15,2007. Recognizing however, that there are still areas for improvements, based from the still voluminous number of DepEd appointments being submitted and processed at CSC Field Offices, CSCRO5 had thought of embarking on this endeavour. But this time a different approach was strategized in order to address this immediate concern by having the heads of the said agencies sit together through a roundtable conference.
(continued on page 4)

Simply Legal: On Nepotism

Feature: Merriment in November

WHOS WHO features Ms. Len Moneda...

ovember means ninth month, yet it is the eleventh month in the modern calendar. In the old Roman calendar, November was indeed the ninth month, but it has changed when two months were added on to the year, and subsequently, in 153 BC, the Roman Senate moved New Years Day to January 1st. On the religious side, the 1st of November is All Saints Day. Majority of the Filipinos observe All Saints Day, it is the time when we remember our departed loved ones, clean their graves and decorate them with flowers, while the purpose is sombre, the effect is a picnic, full of merrymaking and laughter. Its the time when family gather for a mini-reunion. For Americans, November is Thanksgiving, it is usually held on the 4th Thursday of November. The holiday was created to give thanks for the plenty of the harvest. Today it is celebrated with family gatherings, and the traditional dish for the event is roasted turkey and dressing. Thanksgiving, which is another word for the virtue of gratitude, has as its object the recompense, in some way, to a benefactor for the gifts one has received. When one receives a favour from someone, the proper response is an act of gratitude. In the Civil Service Commission Region 5, November signals a busy month ahead to catch up with targets and accomplishments. It is the month when you can run after your unaccomplished tasks, and work double time with your assignments. The cover story of the Bicol Racer features the First Roundtable Conference between the Civil Service Commission RO5 and the Department of Education Region 5. It tackled the different policies both affecting the operations of the two agencies such as appointments, request for change of name, correction of personnel records, etc.

In the centrefold, you will find the different pictures and write-ups for the CSCRO5s Relationship Enhancement Seminar with Dr. Ernest Tan held on November 25, 2011 at the AVP Function Hall. It was a relaxing and a different experience which aims to strengthen the bond of the CSCRO5 Family. In this issue, we are featuring, the most sought bachelorette, Ms. Rosallini V. Moneda, the Acting Division Chief of the Human Resource Division of CSC Region 5. In this issue, we are featuring, the most sought bachelorette, Ms. Rosallini V. Moneda, the Acting Division Chief of the Human Resource Division of CSC Region 5. Under the Simply Legal column, Ms. Alicia P. Salinas shares a case on Nepotism. Moreover, you can also read in this issue the news regarding the CSCs plan to offer Braillebased Civil Service Examinations. This move aims to cater to the visually impaired examinees of the Career Service exams. An article on the series of trainings availed by the Bicol Medical Center, Naga City is also included in this months publication. Also, as an expression of our heartfelt congratulations to all employees who were promoted, we have devoted one section featuring them. Lastly, in our celebrants corner, you may notice that it is this month when CSCRO5 has plenty of birthday celebrators. That is why, November indeed is the month for thanksgiving and celebration.

SHARON FARIDA A. FLORES Acting Division Chief, PALD

News

he Civil Service Commission Regional Office No. 5 (CSCRO5) responded to various requests from health institutions on the Training on Frontline Service, Ethics and Accountability (TFSEA) during the entire month of October. With the core purpose of providing quality service to patients and clients in government hospitals, the series of trainings were conducted to the employees of the Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City on October 7-8 (1st batch), October 10-12 (2nd batch) and October 13-14 (3rd batch). The remaining two batches which will be participated mostly by hospital doctors will be conducted in November. The same training was also conducted to the employees of the Provincial Hospital of Camarines Norte on October 24-25 (1st batch) and October 26-27, 2011 (2nd batch). The remaining four (4) batches will likewise be conducted in November. The two-day training focused on familiarizing of the different frontline services in government hospitals, learning on the basic skills in handling difficult clients, recognizing the effect of organizational culture on ones attitude and behavior as well as understanding the salient provisions of RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) and RA 9485 (Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007).

Workshops, fun-learning activities and lecture discussion as training methodologies, the participants were made to understand and appreciate the essence of Public Service as provided in Article XI, Section 1 of the Philippine Constitution of 1987 which states that Public Office is a Public Trust public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives. The TFSEA which may be availed by government agencies through an Agency-Requested Scheme will continue to be a part of the training programs of the CSCRO5 in 2012.
# Ms. EMYLIN O. SEVERO Sr. Personnel Specialist

Cover Story

continued from page 1

DepEd was well represented with the attendance of the different Schools Division Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents and their Human Resource Management Officers (HRMO). Their Acting Assistant Regional Director, Diosdado Mendoza was present in the morning but had to leave due to other appointments and later in the afternoon, Director Orfelina O. Tuy, Acting Regional Director of DepEd was in time for the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement. The CSC RO5 was likewise in full force with the presence of the Field Directors in all six provinces of the region. The presence of the HRMOs truly helped in determining the factors that caused delay and possible solutions in speeding up transactions in the CSC. Dir. Cecilia R. Nieto, called the conference to order and stated its objectives. This was followed by a comprehensive presentation of the DepEd policies as they stand in comparison with related CSC policies and a gathering of common points of agreement to fast track processing in the office of the CSC which was presented by Atty. Daisy P. Bragais, CSC Director III. It should be noted that as early as July, the CSC Regional Office has been working on various matters pertinent to this roundtable conference. They have requested for comments, and insights from the concerned DepEd supervisors and personnel as regards to DepEd submitted appointments. The PSED reviewed pending DepEd appointments with the field offices and its causes, bottlenecks and suggestions and how to fast-track processing. All of these were considered in crafting the proposed MOA. Dir. Lida C. Ayon of CSC Camarines Sur Field Office acted as the facilitator during the presentation. As soon as the provisions were drafted based on the views presented in the discussion, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was presented by Dir. Maria Guia DV Garcia of CSC Catanduanes Field Office for the finalization of policies. Thereafter, MOA signing was held. With this venture, the CSC through PSED finally came up with a feasible solution on DepEd concerns relative to appointments. The conference ended with a photo-op of all the attendees. The smiles marked optimism and trust that all have solutions when people start working together for the common good and in the name of quality service.

#Zarah Z. Arroyo, PS I

News

he Civil Service CommissionPublic Relations Office spearheaded the threeday Trainers Training on Public Sector Unionism on October 26-28, 2011 at the CSC Function Room, Diliman, Quezon City. It was attended by twenty six personnel coming from the different CSC regional offices in the country. For Region 5, its representatives were Ms. Sharon Farida A. Flores and Ms. Emylin O. Severo. The objective of the program is to train a pool of CSC mentors who shall be authorized by the Commission to provide basic orientation to public sector employees association and government agencies on responsible Public Sector Unionism (PSU). It is also the aim of the seminar to change the negative view about Unionism, and that the Management will learn to appreciate unionism as a tool to bridge the gap between rank and file employees and the management to foster more harmonious relationship with each other.

Hon. Chair Francisco T. Duque III graced the opening program and he emphasized the need to conduct per region of training on Public Sector Unionism. He also said that there is a need for the CSC to encourage more agencies to organize and have their employees union be registered at the CSC. The three-day seminar discussed the following topics: Guiding Pricinples of the PSU, discussed by Dir. Alan F. Alegria; Overview of the 3 Cs presented by Dir. Maria Leticia G. Reyna; the Constitution and By-Laws, Accreditation of Union; Collective Negotiation Agreements Registration were also discussed by Ms. Mercedes B. Bullas; Conduct of Union Affairs by Dir. Fernando M. Porio and Conflict Resolution which was handled by Atty. Ariel G. Ronquillo. The different participants also underwent a Presentation Skills or Demonstration facilitated by Dir. Maria Cristina R. Gonzales to test their skills in the delivery of topics, and how they will run the PSU training. Present during the said demonstration to act as observers were Assistant Commissioner Anicia Marasigan-De Lima, Dir. Fernando M. Porio of CSC-CAR, and Dir. Alan F. Alegria of CSC-PRO.#
# MS. SHARON FARIDA A FLORES Acting Division Chief, PALD

News Feature

Some say love it is a river That drowns the tender reed. Some say love it is a razor That leaves your soul to bleed. Some say love it is a hunger An endless, aching need I say love it is a flower, And you it's only seed.
- taken from the song The Rose popularized by Westlife

were made like living room vs bedroom, sun vs moon and many more. It was fun but the most exciting part was sharing ones choice. Discovering people through such activity was a sure hit among the participants. More input on how to understand each others individuality were given as well as how we can better improve our communication skills for us to be able to collaborate and work well together. Alls well that ends well. The gathering culminated with a community singing of the song The Rose complete with actions using the modified sign language. Now that the seminar is over, the real test of learning has just started. We are challenged to enflesh the values of compassion and justice and the task of working with each other harmoniously despite the fact that we are richly diversified. Just like the scorpion in one of Earnests anecdote, which goes:
Two monks were washing their bowls in the river when they noticed a scorpion that was drowning. One monk immediately scooped it up and set it upon the bank. In the process he was stung. He went back to washing his bowl and again the scorpion fell in. The monk saved the scorpion and was again stung. The other monk asked him, Friend, why do you continue to save the scorpion when you know its nature is to sting? Because, the monk replied, to save it is my nature.

A song that may rather be taken as a poem on how one should approach and live life. Only YOU can determine whether or not there will be love in your life. This is what is meant by the line, "I say love, it is a flower... and you... it's only seed." Only YOU have the power to fill your world with love. Furthermore, it teaches us that life may have suffering but that doesnt mean we should run away from it but rather accept the hardships that come our way as they make us stronger and braver as we face lifes challenges. This would be a familiar song to the Civil Service Commission Regional Office No. 5 (CSC-RO5) employees. It served as the groups theme song for the Seminar on Relationship Enhancement. Some probably wondered why a seminar such as this was given to government employees but many understood that having a good relationship with co-workers or colleagues has its advantages. Work becomes less stressful when its shared with the people you are comfortable with. We could go on and on in enumerating its benefits but CSC RO5 was indeed lucky having undergone the said seminar with a very able resource person in the name of Earnest L. Tan. He designs and conducts workshop-seminars geared toward growth and wellness. His well-known series include: Human Intimacy and The Process of Value Development, Effective Coping Skills, Relationship Enhancement, and Empowerment. He started with some inputs on relationship and the common problems that we encounter. One very important lesson that many of its participants would have learned was about accepting the nature of the person. He further explained the importance of compassion and justice in dealing with persons. He cited his personal experiences which made his sharing more genuine and that his insights were tried and tested. There was also an opportunity for the attendees to enjoy a simple yet meaningful activity. Instantaneous decisions

We continue to give and help even if we get hurt along the way, even if we get scarred, the important thing is that you have extended your help and you understand the nature of the person. Whether you are appreciated or not, like the scorpion. Earnests books were put on display and were selling like hot cakes. He willingly obliged to the request of some for autograph signing. The seminar was conducted last November 25, 2011 at the AVP Hall, Tahao Road where all the CSC RO5 employees attended. It was a worthwhile break from the almost monotonous office work. A bonding time indeed for the CSC employees. # Zarah Z. Arroyo, PS I

Captured Moments

Mr. Earnest Tan, the resource person during the Staff Development which focuses on Enhancing Relationship. The employees truly enjoyed the activities given and were seriously listening to the lecture...

Simply Legal

What is the appropriate rule on nepotism which will apply to the appointment of Treasurers in the Local Government Unit? Is it the Local Government Code's rule on nepotic appointments or that found under the Administrative Code of 1987? The question is pertinent in view of the fact that the Treasurer, while under the administrative supervision of the governor or mayor, is appointed by the Secretary of Finance. The issue was answered by the Commission in a Resolution promulgated on October 6, 2010 in the case of Morados, Gina Josephine T., Re: Nepotism (Request for Opinion.), CSC Resolution No. 1011170. In the said case, Mayor Lenin P. Alviola (Mayor Alviola) of Bacong, Negros Oriental made a recommendation to the Department of Finance in favor of Gina Josephine T. Morados (Morados) for appointment to the position of Municipal Treasurer. The recommendation was not acted favorably by the Department of Finance considering that Morados was the wife of Mayor Alviola's cousin, hence, his relative by affinity within the fourth (4th) civil degree. This was in line with the earlier pronouncement of the Commission that "the husband shares no degree of relationship with his wife because they are treated as one [CSC Resolution No. 002396, Oct. 18, 2000, Bugnosen, Augusto W., re: Dishonesty; Falsification; Nepotism; "Bilas"]. Under the Local Government Code, the prohibition on nepotism extends to relatives of the appointing or recommending authority within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity. On the other hand, for appointments in national government agencies (NGAs), the prohibition extends to relatives of the appointing or recommending authority, or of the chief of the bureau or office or of the person exercising immediate supervision over the appointee within the third (3rd) degree, either of consanguinity or affinity. The Department of Finance opined that the rule on nepotic appointment under the Local Government Code (LGC) should apply to appointments of local treasurers since it is the LGC which provides for the qualifications, powers, functions and duties of local treasurers. Mayor Alviola, however, believes otherwise. In determining the applicable rule on nepotism, the Commission ruled in this wise: Of pertinent application to the herein query is Section 79, Title 3 of the 1991 Local Government Code, which provides: "Section 79. Limitation on Appointments No person shall be appointed in the career service of the local government if he is related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity of the appointing or recommending authority." [Underscoring supplied]

Aforeqouted provision of the Code is clear and does not need extrinsic aid to interpret. It provides that "no person shall be appointed in the career service of the local government" if the appointee is within the prohibitive degree of relationship provided therein. Simply stated, the rule on nepotic appointment under the above provision of the LGC applies only to positions in the career service within a Local Government Unit (LGU). In other words, positions outside of the career service of an LGU are excluded from the operation of the said law. Consequently, what determines, whether above rules on nepotic appointment apply to local officials depends on whether the position to be occupied by the appointee belongs to the career service in the LGU. Relevant thereto, Title Five (Appointive Local Officials Common to All Municipalities, Cities and Provinces), Chapter 2 (Provincial Officials in General), Section 470 of the Local Government Code of 1991, provides: "Sec. 470. Appointment, Qualifications, Powers and Duties. "(a) The treasurer shall be appointed by the Secretary of Finance from a list of at least three (3) ranking eligible recommendees of the governor or mayor, as the case maybe, subject to civil service law, rules and regulations.
(Continued on page 11 )

Feature

We have started featuring birthday celebrators in the last months issue. And so for the month of November, we have six colleagues who are born this month.

Quite interestingly is that two of them are celebrating their natal day on the same dates. They are women who are exceptionally influential in the office while the men are gentlemanly and service-oriented.

All of them are totally devoted to their work. Well lets get to know them more by finding out what the stars have to say about them just so we know.

Scorpio October 23 -November 21

Reputed to be the "most powerful" sign of the zodiac, Scorpios lead fate filled lives and have intense and dramatic personal relationships. Passion, desire and power go hand in hand for Scorpios. Their biggest challenge and test in life is choosing between the power of love and the love of power. Their eyes often blaze with feelings that words never express, and beware on the days or nights they hide their feelings behind dark glasses, there is likely to be a storm of some kind brewing. When you deal with a Scorpio you have to always deal with them on a psychic intuitive level. Too often they say "no" when they really mean "yes". They have contrary natures. Once they find true love they can be the most faithful dedicated of all partners but fall out badly with a Scorpio and you are likely to find they will never forget or forgive. Old and wise beyond the average, Scorpios often know all the answers, except sometimes; they too often have difficulty finding what they need to develop their own happiness.

Dir. Cecile
Nov. 22

Atty. Daisy
Nov. 22

Sagittarius November 22 -December 21

Sagittarians possess a natural exuberance, sense of adventure and love of life that makes them one of the most optimistic zodiac signs of all. Like their astrological symbol - the Archer - Sagittarians are renowned for aiming their sights towards whatever it is they find alluring - a love partner, dream job, vacation - and making it their own. They believe that anything is possible - and because of this belief system, Sagittarians are adept at seeking out their very own pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Freedom loving, optimistic and honest, Sagittarians are ruled by Jupiter, the planet of abundance and higher learning. The wisdom of Jupiter imbibes Sagittarians with an inherent need to develop their own unique philosophy of life. In relationships they demand independence, but when in love, it can't be denied that they are one of the most big-hearted signs of the zodiac. November is one of the most exciting months of the year as it all prepares us for the merriment of the holidays! For now, we have six reasons to celebrate and be merry in November! Cheers! The melody for the Happy Birthday song was first penned by two sisters, Mildred and Patty Hill. It is thought that birthday celebrations originated in the Roman Empire. And they were largely due to the prominent religion at the time, Mithraism, which was later supplanted by Christianity. (www.birthdaytrivia.com)

Ms. Yoyhie
Nov. 9

Ms. Joy
Nov. 9

Mr. Domeng
Nov. 1

Mr. Edwin
Nov. 3

# Zarah Z. Arroyo, PS I

Whos Who

orn in Marifosque, Pilar, Sorsogon in a brood of 3 siblings, Ms. Rosalinni V. Moneda is best described as a fun-loving and adventurous woman. She is a nature-lover caring and is challenged to learn new things all the time. She is a sweet person and maintains her composure in dealing with others.

At present she is the Acting Division Chief of the Human Resource Division. Ms. Len is also very athletic and enjoys walking and jogging. During her spare time, she would spend it at home reading. She also loves to go to market, and she is fascinated with cooking. The guy she would marry in the near future will be blessed to have her. At work she is an excellent team member both in the office and in social activities. She is a good and very supportive boss. Everyone is delighted at the sight of this pretty woman, so full of life and well-being. She is the first one to laugh and the first one to try something new. # Ms. Eunida N. Jalmanzar Administrative Officer IV

Ms. Len as she is often called by her colleagues and friends is a woman with high spirit, She is not afraid to try new things, lest embraces challenges rather than shun away from it. She attended her college years at Aquinas University of Legazpi and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in 1994. She finished her Master in Management at Technological University of the Philippines, Manila in 2003. Her passion for learning continues as she pursues her dream of becoming a lawyer and took up Bachelor of Laws at the Aquinas University College of Law, where she is enrolled in her second year. She was born on August 31,1973, and falls on the principled type of Virgo, one who has keen mind, and is delightful to talk with, often convincing others of outlandish tales with ease and charm. Her career started at the private sector where she got employed for almost 3 years before she entered the government service. She was appointed as Clerk III on August 1, 1997 at the Civil Service Commission, Regional Office No. 4 and was promoted to Personnel Specialist I in 2001 and Sr. Personnel Specialist in 2004 before she was promoted and transferred to Civil Service Commission, Regional Office No. 5 as Supervising Personnel Specialist.

Dedication and passion to her work are her strongest assets mediocrity is not part of her vocabulary.

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Simply Legal
(b) The Treasurer shall be under the administrative supervision of the governor or mayor, as the case maybe, to whom he shall report regularly on tax collection efforts in the local government units. (c) No person shall be appointed treasurer unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the local government unit concerned, of good moral character, holder of a college degree preferably in commerce, public administration or law from a recognized college or university, and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He must have acquired experience in treasury or accounting service for at least five (5) years in the case of provincial or city assistant treasurer, and three (3) years in the case of the municipal assistant treasurer" Its title alone, Title Five, Chapter 2 of the Local Government Code is demonstrative of legislative intent. Said portion of the LGC speaks of "Appointive Local Officials Common to all Municipalities, Cites and Provinces," where the position of local treasurer can be found. Clearly, it can be adduced therefrom that local treasures are among the mandatory officials enumerated under the foregoing provision of the Local Government Code (LGC), which also provides the qualifications required of the position. Thus, local treasurer are officials of the Local Government Units, where they draw their salary, and not of any other department, bureau or office in the government. Moreover, Section 5, Title One, Chapter 1(The Code: Policy and Application) of the Local Government Code provides: "Section 5. Rules of Interpretation. - In the interpretation of the provisions of this Code, the following rules shall apply: "(a) Any provision on a power of a local government unit shall be liberally interpreted in its favor, and in case of doubt,. Any question thereon shall be resolved in favor of devolution of powers and of the lower local government unit. Any fair and reasonable doubt as to the existence of the power shall be interpreted in favor of the local government unit concerned;" x x x Foregoing guidelines in interpreting the provisions of the LGC provides that any provision of the Code involving grant of powers to local government units must be liberally construed in its favor. Since the Treasurer is one of the appointive local officials common to LGUs as provided in the LGC, it may be construed that a treasurer is an official of the LGU where he/she draws his/her salary. Consequently, this Commission hereby rules and so holds that local treasurers are officials of LGUs where they draw their salaries. Hence, the rule on nepotic appointment under Section 79, Title III of the Local Government Code of 1991 applies to Treasurers in LGUs. Consequently, the term "provincial, city and municipal government" under Section 59, Chapter VII, Book V of Executive Order No. 292, shall be construed to mean as referring to appointments issued to officials and employees whose positions belong to a department, bureau or office in the national government and whose salaries are derived from the funds of their respective offices. This does not include the officials and employees of Local Government Units as above described. Section 59 Chapter VII, Book V, of Executive Order No. 292, which provides: "Sec. 59. Nepotism. - (1) All appointments in the national, provincial, city and municipal government or in any branch or instrumentality thereof, including government owned or controlled corporations, made in favor of a relative of the appointing authority, or of the chief of bureau, or of the person exercising immediate supervision over him, are hereby prohibited. "As used in this Section, the word 'relative' and members of the family referred to are those related within the third degree either of consanguity or of affinity.

"(2) The following are exempted from the operation of the rules on nepotism: (a) person employed in a confidential capacity, (b) teachers, (c) physicians, and (d) members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines: Provided, however, That in each particular instance full report of such appointment shall be made to the Commission."[Underscoring supplied] x x x In other words, the operation of the rule on nepotic appointment under E.O. 292, limiting its scope within the third degree of relationship either of consanguinity or affinity, does not apply to officials and employees of Local Government Units.
Thus, in the said resolution, the Commission ruled and held the rule on nepotic appointment under Section 79, Title III of the Local Government Code of 1991 applies to Treasurers in Local Government Units and not that under Section 59, Chapter VIII, Book V of the Administrative Code of 1987. # Alicia Salinas, PS II

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News/Feature
a time to cheer, a time to cry, a time to live, a time to die, a time to sleep, a time to wake, a time for real, a time for fake, a time for truth, a time to lie, a time to laugh, a time to sigh, a time to stand, a time to fall, a time for one, a time for all, a time for love, a time for hate, a time to run, a time to wait, a time to stay, a time to flee, a time for you, a time for me. - A. Fletcher

Civil Service Commission Regional Office V took time for poetry last November 24, 2011 as a way of giving thanks for the promotion of Atty. Daisy P. Bragais as full-fledged Director III of the Commission which surprisingly coincides with the Wests celebration of Thanksgiving. It is the first time for the employees to have Poetry Reading as an activity. It revived the almost confounded form of literature and it was also a time to pay tribute to the best poets of all time, Maya Angelou and Robert Frost, who are both personal favorites of Atty. Daisy as well. With the hype of blogging and text messaging, the CSC RO5 employees were truly in for a unique experience complete with gourmet food and physical set-up that captured the right ambiance. Five well-selected and world-known poems of the mentioned poets were read by the able readers who creatively delivered the poems assigned to them. Atty. Guiancarlo Bulalacao Carpe Diem (R. Frost) Ms. Jocelyn G. Bejerano Phenomenal Woman (M. Angelou) Ms. Sharon Farida A. Flores The Road Not Taken (R. Frost) Mr. Cristino P. Barbosa Touched by An Angel (M. Angelou) Ms. Emylin O. Severo Still I Rise (M. Angelou) Present during the thanksgiving occasion were the newly appointed Directors namely, Dir. Raymundo V. Atendido and Dir. Jocelyn L. Marifosque who will be assigned as Director IIs of Albay Field Office and Camarines Sur Field Office, respectively. Dir. Lida C. Ayon who was appointed as Director III also graced the event by her presence. Everyone was captivated by the inspiring message of Atty. Daisy P. Bragais, who specifically shared her humble beginnings in the commission starting as clerk and how she laboriously and dedicatedly worked her way up. This was truly an enchanting experience for everyone who cant help but reminisce their school days, back when poetry was not just a mere topic in literature classes but a way to a dear loved ones heart and a reflection of ones soul. ...awaiting for more

#Zarah Z. Arroyo, PS I

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Civil Service Commission Regional Office 5 (CSC RO5) bids farewell to one of its promising Field Office Directors in the person of Dir. Lida C. Ayon through a simple tribute last November 25, 2011. Messages through a video was presented and made Dir. Ayon broke into tears as she reminisced those sweet memories with the CSC RO5 employees. Indeed, CSCRO5 was very fortunate of having Director Ayon as part of its roster of power-directors. She had been in this office for almost four years and is considered as one of the finest Field Directors this region ever had. Shes known for her quick wit, optimism and spontaneity, not to mention her being a good trainer, and facilitator. Its always hard to say goodbye, and its never easy to let go of someone like Dir. Ayon. She will definitely be missed by CSC Region 5, but career opportunity and dedication to public service made her decide to accept the challenge of being assigned in Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as Director III. Being an adventurer herself, Mindanao will be part of her great CSC escapade. As a way of expressing our gratitude for her unequaled service, a travelling bag was given as a token coupled with warm hugs and kisses by friends and colleagues. A photo-op culminated the tribute.

#Zarah Z. Arroyo, PS I

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EDITORIAL BOARD
Editor-in-Chief:

MS. SHARON FARIDA A. FLORES

Acting Division Chief, PALD

Managing Editors:

EUNIDA N. JALMANZAR
Admin. Officer IV
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has partnered with Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) for the conduct of career service examinations (CSE) to visually impaired people. In simple rites held on October 24 at the CSC central office in Quezon City, the Commission signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with RBI to secure the latters technical cooperation in translating the CSE to Braille, and in setting up computers that can interface with computer-literate visually impaired examinees. In the said agreement, RBI shall also assess the readiness of visually impaired examination applicants to take either the computer-based or the Braille-based mode. The signatories to the MOA are CSC Chair Francisco T. Duque III and RBI Executive Director Randy Weisser. The CSC has never exempted persons with disabilities (PWDs), including the visually impaired, from taking the examination and from entering government service. In fact, we want to make it easier for them so that more PWDs would consider public service as a career., said Duque. At present, the CSE is administered to visually impaired individuals guided by two examiners per examinee. The first examiner reads the test item to the examinee, who listens and dictates his/her Ms. Alicia P. Salinas Ms. Emylin O. Severo PS II (LSD) Sr. PS (HRD)

Layout Editor:

ZARAH Z. ARROYO
Personnel Specialist I

Editorial Consultants:

ATTY. DAISY P. BRAGAIS

Assistant Regional Director

DIR. CECILIA R. NIETO

Regional Director

Contributors:

answer. The second examiner shades the corresponding an swer choice in the answer sheet. The CSC said that while this has helped visually impaired examinees in the previous years, there is a need to improve the process to avoid cheating and make it less cumbersome. The Braille-based and computer-based test for visually impaired individuals is expected to become available within six (6) months from the signing of the MOA. According to 2005 data from the National Council for Disability Affairs, there are 2, 373 PWDs employed in government.

The Bicol Racer is a monthly publication spearheaded by the Public Assistance & Liaison D i vi si o n ( P A L D). For comments/suggestions and contributions, please send it through e-mail at cscro5pald@yahoo.com or please submit them in softcopy at CSCRO5 PALD, Rawis, Legazpi City care of Ms. Zarah Arroyo.

cscregion5@yahoo.com cscregion5hrd@yahoo.com cscregion5pald@yahoo.com cscregion5esd@yahoo.com cscregion5psed@yahoo.com cscregion5msd@yahoo.com cscro5csfo@yahoo.com cscro5mfo@yahoo.com

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