Teodoro calls for civil service rules review

DEFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday called for a reevaluation of civil service rules, particularly to accommodate the evolving nature of national security threats and the specialized skill sets needed to address them while rewarding public servants for their exemplary performance. Teodoro recommended such changes during the 124th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary celebration of the Department of National Defense while recognizing individuals across its bureaus for the 2024 DND-wide Exemplary Supervisors and employees awards at Camp Aguinaldo officers club. "These individuals were recognized for their dedication, leadership, and contributions to the Department's mission of safeguarding national security and public service," Teodoro said. Teodoro, together with Fe Lacaba, head of the DND-CSC Field Office and Arsenio Andolong, officer in charge, Office of Human Resource, led the awarding ceremony and conferred awards to six exemplary supervisors and six exemplary employees from various DND-wide offices, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), Government Arsenal (GA), and Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC). The awardees include Joan Marabut and Engr. Jenie Lynn Fuentes from the DND Proper; Mr. Joas Karl Cruz and Engr. Ruel Lizaso from the AFP; Ms. Maria Eloisa Santelices and Ms. Sonia Grace Asuncion from PVAO; Ms. Gee Lyn Basa and Ms. Zenaida Taccaban from NDCP; Mr. Giovanni Cortez and Mr. Luisito Haciñas from GA; and Dr. Karl Marvin Tan and Ms. Althea Galvan, PMT from VMMC. The defense chief lauded the awardees for their well-deserved recognition, emphasizing that their dedication and hard work are critical to the continued progress and efficiency within the organization. He expressed his appreciation for the strides made in improving the physical work environment in the department, including better office space and ergonomic upgrades, while acknowledging that much remains to be done in terms of creating a more sustainable and agile workforce. Highlighting the unique challenges faced by the DND, Teodoro said that existing regulations and constraints hinder the organization's ability to fully carry out its mission. "Working under the current legal environment is not doing us any good. We need to create an agile, evolving, and operationally secure organization," Teodoro said. He further emphasized the importance of fostering a workforce equipped not just with academic qualifications, but with practical expertise, particularly in critical fields such as cybersecurity. Also, the Defense chief urged cooperation from the CSC and members of the constitutional regulation, recognizing that changes in policy and legislation are essential to support the mission of the department. Teodoro vowed to reward employees within the bounds of the law, while stressing the need for heightened performance standards. "I will be also unstinting for the benefits of our family, for you, especially. However, I will be demanding more of performance and accuracy, because that is my job, as a mentor, for everyone. And in the same standard I put on everyone, I put on myself," he said.