MESSAGE OF CHAIRPERSON KARLO A. B. NOGRALES
2024 CES Leadership Conclave
20 March 2024

A wonderful Wednesday morning to our Keynote Speaker Hon. Alfredo Benitez, Mayor of Bacolod City, to our resource persons – former Career Executive Service Governing Board Member, Dr. Serafin Talisayon; 2010 Presidential Gawad CES Awardee, Dr. Urdujah G. Alvarado, CESO II; 2012 Presidential Gawad CES Awardee, Dr. Ramir B. Uytico, CESO III; and our host and moderator, 2007 Presidential Gawad CES Awardee, Milagros Rimando, CESO II. To our CESB officials, the 2024 CES Leadership Conclave attendees, CES Officers, CES eligibles, and on-stream candidates from different agencies across the country, maayong aga sa inyo tanan nga ara dira sa Bacolod!

Today, March 20, marks our first big CES learning event for 2024, and the return to bridging distance by bringing learning events to the regions. This year, we continue to walk the path of the 50th milestone and carry the banner of the same theme, “Transcendence: CE5O Leadership Beyond Limits.”

Although 50 years have passed and we are at the cusp of a new era, the CES mission to maintain continuity and stability in the civil service, and serve as a critical link between government and the Filipino people, remains as the core of the CES’ existence in the bureaucracy.

We all know that this mission is easier said than done. The reasons that make this mission difficult are varied and complex and in the interest of time, I will quickly share three reasons why.

First, the reality is that leaders all over the world will continue to navigate unprecedented landscapes. According to a recent McKinsey Public Sector webinar discussing key leadership challenges for 2024 and beyond, it has never been harder to work in government with leaders facing a host of challenges that include declining trust, talent shortages, and economic uncertainties.

Second, leaders face the reality of serving the needs of a vastly diverse citizenry. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for the problems that confront our society and government’s number one client – its citizens – are becoming more aware and empowered. Armed with social media, citizens’ demands, be it big or small, can be magnified and highly publicized in an instant. Yet on another hand, we still have families and communities who are unreached or receive meager assistance from their government. We have already done so much to promote human and social development but there is still a lot of work left to be done.

Finally, leaders are bracing for the inescapable impact of technology in our lives and how it affects the way we do our work. For the past decades, we had to keep up with the use of the internet, smartphones and smart technology, cloud and cloud computing to name a few, and these days, we are also grappling to learn more about big data, the pros and cons of AI, and other technological gains and hurdles.

Amidst these problems, and the ever changing, challenging, and complex reality, the CESB will continue to rally and support the members of the CES to remain committed and focused on fulfilling the leadership mission.
Beginning with the self, and finding strength and inspiration from fellow leaders, we shall continue to march on and perform our duties with patriotism, integrity, excellence, spirituality, and utmost regard for the people we serve.

Today’s CES Leadership Conclave rests on these realities and ideals. It is my hope that as the day progresses you find a deeper sense of self, your passion for public service is reignited, and that you are reminded that you belong to a community of leaders that you can engage for collaboration, and draw support and inspiration.

May today’s CES learning event inspire you and serve you well!