Following reports about the surge of walk-in clients at the Social Security System branch in Diliman, Quezon City, Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Karlo Nograles reminded all government instrumentalities to be prepared for such eventualities in their offices as the government relaxes COVID-19 protocols.

Referring to a national campaign introduced by the government during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chairperson Nograles said, “Laging Handa was our rallying call during the pandemic because it emphasizes a brand of responsive service that addresses the various needs of our constituents."

"It is not only a theme that should guide government action during nationwide emergencies; it should reflect a collective culture of foresight and preparedness.”

While the CSC chief acknowledged that government agencies and government-owned-and-controlled corporations (GOCCs) would have to adjust to a greater influx of clients with the easing of government restrictions, he expressed confidence that "government departments and GOCCs will be able to step up in terms of service delivery as the country transitions to the next normal."

According to Nograles, “there will be a period of adjustment, as everyone shifts from being used to spending an extraordinary amount of time online to going back to face-to-face encounters, but I believe that government and GOCC officials and personnel have not forgotten how to serve the people in a truly efficient manner."

Chairperson Nograles added that the capacity of government to provide quality programs and services depends on the quality of its civil servants, and that the CSC stands ready to help government offices better fulfil their mandates.

“CSC is prepared to work with government agencies to improve their human resource systems and processes toward improving public service delivery,” he said.

One of the CSC’s major HR programs is the PRIME-HRM, or Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management, which assesses, assists, and awards government agencies in terms of their four core HRM areas: recruitment, selection, and placement; performance management; learning and development; and rewards and recognition.