QUEZON CITY -- Over 4,500 human resource (HR) practitioners and government leaders gathered at the country's biggest HR conference during the 2023 Public Sector HR Symposium held on 26-27 September 2023 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC), through the Civil Service Institute, spearheaded the learning conference with the theme "Cultivating a Dynamic Culture for Resilient and Sustainable Public Sector Organizations."

This event focused on the strategic responsibilities of government leaders and HR professionals in cultivating a dynamic culture to promote resilience and sustainability within the public sector workforce and organizations.

In his keynote message, CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles underscored the critical role of the CSC as the central HR institution of the Philippine bureaucracy in revolutionizing the HR management for the 1.9 million government workforce.

"A bureaucracy marked by dynamic employees, sustainable management and leadership, and resilient organizations can readily adapt to abrupt changes and is capable of withstanding difficulties, therefore ensuring uninterrupted service delivery. By leveraging digital tools and innovation, we can streamline processes, enhance service delivery, and empower our civil servants to serve the public with greater efficiency and effectiveness," said Chairperson Nograles.

The two-day event featured plenary sessions by esteemed experts from both the public and private sectors who showcased their dynamic approaches in transforming their processes, systems, structures, infrastructures, and human resources.

The lineup of speakers comprised Dr. Moya Collett, the Acting Australian Ambassador to the Philippines; Ms. Michiru Tamanai, Managing Director of Lotus Global Advance Pte. Ltd. and a former HR professional at UNICEF, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization; Ms. Mega Irena, Assistant Director and Head of the Labour and Civil Service Division at the ASEAN Secretariat; Mr. Roderick M. Napulan, Director IV at the Department of Health; and Ms. Maureen Madiano-Vinas, a teacher at the Department of Education.

Attendees were also treated to valuable insights and exemplary approaches for fostering dynamism at the individual, organizational, and societal levels, presented by a lineup of speakers that included Cezar R. Pedraza, Director IV at the Department of Science and Technology; Rosemarie G. Edillon, Undersecretary at the National Economic and Development Authority; Lizan E. Perante-Calina, Dean of the Development Academy of the Philippines; Thelma T. Vecina, Executive Director of the Local Government Academy; and Reginald Ugaddan, Director of the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance, along with Professor Emeritus Alex B. Brillantes Jr.

The CSC also launched two new systems during the event, the CSC Learning Management System (CSC-LMS) and the Online Appointment Processing System (CSC-OAPS).

Chairperson Nograles emphasized the significance of the CSC-LMS in government service, stating, "The CSC-LMS is more than just a platform. It is a testament to our unwavering dedication to continuous learning wherever you are, and whenever you want it to be."

Meanwhile, CSC Commissioner Alvin R. Acosta noted that the CSC-OAPS, set to be rolled out in phases next year, will streamline and improve the processing of appointments in the government by facilitating its evaluation and attestation.

The ceremonial ribbon-cutting of the CSC-LMS Booth at the Symposium was led by Assistant Commissioners Ariel G. Ronquillo and Jo Ann M. Burgos, along with Acting Assistant Commissioners Judith Dongallo-Chicano, Karin Litz P. Zerna, and Nerissa B. Canguilan.

During the Symposium, a segment was also allocated to honor 48 exceptional accredited external assessors of the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) by the CSC.

Participants also had the opportunity to explore the exhibit booths of numerous organizations, including the Australia Awards and Alumni Engagement Program; PLDT Inc.; Business Maker Academy, Inc.; Asea Metrics HR Solutions; Ateneo De Manila University Center for Organization Research and Development; Personnel Officers Associations of the Philippines, Inc.; BusinessCoach, Inc.; Center for Empowerment Seminars and Workshops Inc.; Guthrie-Jensen Consultants, Inc.; R. Walker Business Consulting; Human Resource Innovations and Solutions; and The Profiles Group of Companies.

The 2023 Public Sector HR Symposium was one of the highlights of the 123rd Philippine Civil Service Anniversary celebration. (CSC)