Saludo sa Civil Service
 04 September 2008

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SEPTEMBER is Civil Service Month. The Civil Service Commission, headed by its new Chairman Ricardo Saludo, spearheads this celebration and coordinates all activities pursuant to this year’s theme: "Republic Service - Kabalikat ng Bayan sa panahon ng Paghamon."

Over the years, isolated stories about bad experiences in transacting with government employees have culminated in the impression that people in government are generally lazy, inefficient, corrupt, discourteous, etc.

Such a poor regard for the country’s civil servants is unfair, to say the least. While there are bad eggs, they are not the rule.

Considering the conditions of work and the demands they are expected to meet, it is awe-inspiring that government employees continue to report for work and perform their duties, ensuring that government provides services to its citizens.

People like Maria Rebecca Presentacion, an elementary school head teacher who daily braves the steep and slippery slopes of Oriental Mindoro to teach Mangyans. Her commitment to her vocation and her students led her to establish partnerships with local and foreign donors for the construction of classrooms. Through her efforts, Mangyan children now learn the ABCs in two classrooms, where potable water is provided and an access bridge built.

Senior Police Officer 2 Geroilan Mudanza, saw peace and order can be best attained in a productive community. In pursuit of this paradigm, SPO 2 Mendoza provided poor farmers in six Mindoro barangays with cattle, launched community projects for fisherfolk, rebel returnees and landless farmers, and resettled 100 Aetas. Through his efforts, the community was organized as a potent force assisting the police, leading to the arrest of some of the community’s most wanted criminals.

Then there are those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of the civil service, such as Assistant Solicitor General Nestor Ballacillo and Las Piñas District Public Attorney Teresita Vidamo, both of whom died in the service.

Asst. Solicitor General Ballacillo worked long hours and prosecuted major cases. He was the legal hound in the recovery of hundreds of millions of dollars in Marcos wealth, and the multibillion-peso Meralco refund to consumers.

Public Atty. Vidamo, on the other hand, served as defense counsel of indigents against landlords. As counsel for indigents, she was not above spending her own money to help a poor client attend hearings. She also extended paralegal services to inmates at the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa.

These people are just some of the brighter lights of the civil service. No doubt, a greater majority of civil servants bring honor to the title "civil servants" through the selfless and quality service they render day in and day out.

Like the faceless public elementary and high school teacher who give their all and more to teach in crowded classrooms. Like the nameless traffic enforcer who stands daily under the punishing heat of the sun to ensure that people get to work on time. And the countless employees of the different frontline service offices of government, who work tirelessly and anonymously to deliver the thousands upon thousands of requests for official documents.

Civil service is a noble profession. This month’s occasion should be an opportunity for people to reconsider the notion that government employees are bad people. Let us appreciate them for collectively being a stabilizing force in Philippine society. For that, let us give them respect.

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