MANILA – Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Karlo Nograles has called on the country’s 1,573 new doctors to always adhere to their solemn oath of safeguarding the health of others as they embark on their journey as licensed physicians.
Nograles made the call during the oath-taking ceremonies for the newly-minted doctors at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City last April 19.
“(This day’s) oath-taking is not merely a ceremony to practice medicine; it is a solemn act and eternal promise to adhere closely to the ethical and professional values of the medical profession. As you begin your work as licensed physicians and realize your aspirations and your goals, may you always remember the reason for choosing this path, to safeguard the health of others,” said Nograles in his keynote speech.
He also reminded the new doctors not to compromise integrity as they live their dreams; to strive to pay it forward by being a mentor to others; and that public service is a public trust.
Nograles also said being a doctor goes beyond the practice as a means of livelihood.
“It is a vocation and a humanitarian calling to take the road less traveled to make a difference in the lives of the Filipino people,” Nograles said, citing Dr. Jose Jonas D. Del Rosario from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), and Dr. Annie Claire Pekas from Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital (LHMRH).
The two doctors were recognized and awarded by the CSC through its Honor Awards Program for their commitment to stay in public service despite the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Whether you choose to enter government or practice in private hospitals and institutions, as doctors, you are foremost, public servants, and you must, at all times, be accountable to the people; serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency; act with patriotism and justice; and lead modest lives,” Nograles said.
CSC welcomes high trust, approval ratings
On Tuesday, Nograles expressed his gratitude to the Filipino people for trusting the agency as it performs its mandate as the central human resource agency of the Philippine government.
This after the results of the recent 2023 Pahayag First Quarter Survey by Publicus Asia conducted last March 2-6 showed that the CSC ranked 9th among the most trusted, and 10th among the most approved government agencies.
“Isang karangalan para sa CSC ang mapabilang sa pinagkakatiwalaan at sinasang-ayunang institusyon ng gobyerno. Makakaasa ang sambayanan na ating iingatan ang tiwalang ito at pag-iibayuhin pa ang ating mga ginagawang programa at serbisyo tungo sa mas mahusay na serbisyo sibil ng bansa (It is an honor for the CSC to be among the most trusted and approved government institutions. We assure the public that we will preserve this trust, and further boost our programs and services towards a more effective public service),” Nograles in a press statement.
He noted that the recognition is a product of CSC’s well-crafted policies and programs in 2022 aimed to improve the 1.8-million public sector workforce as the country strives to build back better after the height of the pandemic.
Among CSC’s most notable policies issued last year is CSC Resolution No. 2200209, which allowed the adoption of flexible work arrangements in the civil service; the continuing registration of public sector employee organizations (PSEOs) in order to further strengthen employee welfare; the continued implementation of the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management or PRIME-HRM; and the efforts of the CSC’s Civil Service Institute to provide training and personnel development interventions to government officials and employees; among others.
“These accomplishments would not be possible without the dedication and effort of each and every CSC employee to make the institution the leader in empowering people in human resource,” Nograles said.
“Ang mabilis at maayos nating pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan ang nagsilbing daan upang makamit natin ang pagkilalang ito. Kaya’t patuloy nating itaguyod ang pangunahing adhikain ng burukrasya – na paglingkuran ng tapat at mahusay ang sambayanang Pilipino (The quick and efficient delivery of services to our people has paved the way in attaining this recognition. That’s why we will continue to promote the main objective of the bureaucracy – to honestly and effectively serve the Filipino people),” Nograles said. (With a report from Jose Cielito Reganit/PNA)