Arrogant, dishonest city employees warned

By Danny Killip

BAGUIO CITY - The Civil Service Commission-Cordillera Administrative Region, the agency overseeing government personnel, warned city employees to treat taxpayers and clients with due respect and care or face sanctions.

This is in view of increasing number of complaints reaching the Commission against government employees nationwide mostly for arrogance, dishonesty, reporting to work under the influence of liquor, loafing and receiving “juicy gratitude” among others.

According to Carlota Pauly of the CSC-CAR, just a simple violation of the civil service law, rules and regulation can result to suspension or dismissal of a government employee and in fact, many government employees have been suspended or dismissed after due process because of these complaints.

She said clients are now vigilant and well updated on their rights when transacting businesses within government offices that employees should always be upright in discharging their duties.

Pauly said that CSC-CAR has hired researchers to validate the provisions of the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) such as the wearing of IDs, the creation of public assistance and complaint desk, observance of the “No Noon/Lunch Break “policy and the posting of Citizens Charter in all government offices.

“These researchers will visit government offices unannounced to observe the activities within a government office/s with some posing as clients.  These researchers will also interview clients to get their sides on the frontline services given by the service provider,” she said.

This prompted the City Government of Baguio to conduct training on basic customer service skills to improve their confidence in responding or servicing client needs.

Aside from trainings, the City Government also gives cash reward to employees who render outstanding performance.

Recently, Mayor Mauricio Domogan formed a monitoring committee to assure that all offices in the City government are complying with the requirements of ARTA.