Final PSEEAP Interventions Conducted in LGU-Sorsogon City

Towards the end of the PSEEAP Implementation in Sorsogon City, the Ateneo de Naga University-Center for Local Governance conducted three (3) runs of training on Public Service Ethics and Accountability (PSEA) on January 26-27, 2009 (1st Batch); January 29-30, 2009 (2nd Batch), and February 4-5, 2009 (3rd Batch) as part of the Public Service Excellence, Ethics and Accountability Program (PSEEAP) in the City.

The PSEA, which serves as a practical tool for creating and enhancing the culture of public service and accountability in the local government, aims to translate the formulated plans and commitment into actions to prevent, detect, and correct corrupt acts. It is a product of the Transparency Accountable Governance (TAG) developed by the Philippine Civil Service Commission (PCSC) in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). During the implementation of the TAG Project of The Asia Foundation (TAF), both the PCSC and UNPD permitted the TAF to adapt the  module.

The Departments/Offices covered for the three (3) runs of the PSEA were the City Mayor’s Office, City Administrator’s Office, City Treasurers Office, City Planning & Development Office, City Public Market Office, City Assessor’s Office, City Health Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, City Human Resource Office, Permits and Licenses Department, City Agricultural Services Office, City Accountant’s Office, City Civil Registrar Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Budget Office, City Veterinary Office, City Legal Office, and City Public Information Office.

In line with this training, a Management Reporting on PSEA was conducted on February 11, 2009. The participants presented to their respective Office Heads the Action Plans formulated during the training including their commitment in the implementation of the PSEA. Among the Office Heads present during the activity were Mr. Roberto Jamoralin, Dr. Alexander Destura, Ms. Angelita Licup, Ms. Adeline Detera, Mr. Ronando Gerona, and Dr. Rommel Japson.

The Monitoring of the entire implementation of the Program followed on February 12, 2009. It was a follow-through activity of the Monitoring of the PSEP implementation done on January 28, 2009. The status of the Action Plans prepared by the three (3) batches were also monitored, specifically determining if their formulated plans were already being implemented by the concerned offices.

After the series of interventions conducted to the Local Government Unit of Sorosogon City, a Celebration of Accomplishments (CelAc) was held on February 13, 2009. Looking back at the formulated Service Standards, Service Values, Performance Pledges, and Service Improvement Recommendations of each Department, the status of the implementation of the Service Improvement Recommendations (SIRs) were assessed. The major impact of the training on Basic Customer Service Skills (BCSS) to the personnel and the customers was also generated. The participants were requested to come-up with an action plan for the next six (6) months in order for them to put to work the Service Vision of each department.

These activities were handled by Ms. Benita Michele S. Ciudadano, Mr. Duke Thomas G. Dolorical and Ms. Marianne C. Ayo-Permale.

To end the implementation, a Graduation ceremony of the PSEEAP trainees was held on the evening of February 13, 2009 at the Aniceta Hall in Centro, Sorsogon City. The culminating activity was graced by the presence of Second Secretary Emma Sandblad of the British Embassy, Mr. Eric Aseo of The Asia Foundation, Dr. Malu C. Barcillano of CLG and Ms. Lorna Figueroa of the LGU of Sorsogon City.