Manila – Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Karlo Nograles on Tuesday heralded a new era of enhancements for the civil service following the smooth Congressional approval of its PHP1 billion budget for 2025, aimed at bolstering modernization, digital initiatives, and capacity building across the sector.
According to Philippines News Agency, Nograles outlined the CSC’s plans to leverage the newly approved funds to advance various programs that include digitalization of services and the enhancement of training for civil servants. “The CSC has been focusing on enhancing the skills of our civil servants at all levels post-pandemic. We’ve been advancing our digital initiatives, which includes the procurement of digital examination programs set to launch this year,” Nograles explained in a news release. He also highlighted the accelerated conduct of HR-related fora nationwide aimed at equipping government personnel more effectively.
Nograles, a former legislator, emphasized the CSC’s efficient use of funds, with a 98.02 percent budget utilization rate from 2019 to 2023. He articulated a vision for heightened efficiency and governance, reflecting his commitment to enhancing public service delivery. “Efficiency and good governance have been key mantras for our big team at the CSC. We aim to strengthen the capacity of government personnel to more effectively serve the public,” he stated.
Under his leadership, the CSC has actively recognized outstanding civil servants, facilitated direct public engagements such as job fairs and tree plantings, and refined eligibility exams to attract more individuals to government service. During the recent budget hearing at the House of Representatives, Nograles addressed Congressional concerns about filling vacant government positions and adapting to flexible workplace arrangements.
He reassured that while individual agencies are responsible for filling vacancies, the CSC is committed to monitoring and reassessing core qualifications. “One urgent task for us, for instance, is the need to increase teachers’ salaries to solve career progression concerns,” he noted. Additionally, he mentioned the CSC’s implementation of a flexi-hybrid work setup in its central and regional offices since last August to ensure uninterrupted frontline service.
Nograles concluded by affirming the CSC’s dedication to refining government operations: “Your CSC is silently but effectively working behind the scenes to develop a growing government bureaucracy into an efficient and effective instrument of public service. That’s our primary purpose and ultimate goal.”