SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Government employees in Zambales were urged to uphold compassion, integrity and competence in public service as the province marked the 126th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary on Sept. 3 at the Subic Gymnasium here.
The celebration brought together employees from national government agencies, local government units and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), highlighting the anniversary theme “Puso, Dangal at Galing Para sa Bayan.”
In his opening remarks, SBMA Deputy Administrator for Administration Vicente Evidente said the anniversary provides an opportunity for government workers to reflect on the responsibilities that come with being a public servant.
“Public service” means serving constituents, listening to their needs and treating them with genuine care, Evidente said.
He emphasized that dangal, or honor, is not derived from the position or rank held by a government employee but from how one performs the responsibilities entrusted by the public.
“We bring honor to our work as public servants by putting the welfare of citizens above personal interest and personal gain,” Evidente said, stressing the importance of integrity, honesty and accountability in government service.
He also underscored galing, or excellence, which he said requires competence and a willingness to go beyond the ordinary demands of duty.
Evidente, who represented SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, welcomed the participants to the Subic Bay Freeport and thanked the organizers, SBMA Human Resource Department, including the Council of Personnel Officers, for bringing together public servants from different government offices.
Meanwhile, Hazel Helen Salonga, senior human resource specialist of the Civil Service Commission Zambales Field Office, reminded government workers that the Civil Service Anniversary is not only a celebration of the Civil Service Commission but of all public servants.
Salonga said government employees face demanding clients and various challenges in their daily work, but these should not diminish their commitment to serve.
She stressed that government service carries with it a high level of accountability, particularly because employees make decisions that directly affect citizens and their access to government services.
“Hindi lang tayo 8-to-5,” Salonga said, noting that public service sometimes requires employees to respond to the needs of constituents beyond regular office hours.
She also described public service as a vocation and encouraged employees to continuously improve their skills.
“Learning is a continuous process,” Salonga said, emphasizing that government workers must continue developing their competence to provide better and more effective service.
For his part, San Antonio Mayor Arvin “Dok” Antipolo thanked the organizers and government employees for their work and contributions to public service.
Antipolo said the anniversary provided an opportunity for government workers to set aside differences in rank and position.
“Today, we are all equal. There is no mayor, no supervisor, no department head. All of us are fellow government employees,” he said.
He also underscored the importance of combining compassion with competence and integrity in delivering government services.
According to Antipolo, having a good heart alone is not enough. Public servants must also demonstrate dangal at galing to make people feel that government is responsive, accessible and genuinely concerned about their welfare.
He said the work of government employees at every level eventually reaches communities and benefits ordinary citizens.
“This is your day. This is a special day. You are all appreciated,” Antipolo told fellow government workers.
The Sept. 3 celebration at the Subic Gymnasium gathered public servants from Zambales, including personnel from national government agencies, provincial and municipal governments and other public institutions.
The officials’ messages centered on a common call for government employees to make puso, dangal at galing the foundation of their daily work and translate these values into more responsive, accountable and effective service to the Filipino people.