DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 4 December) – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is supporting a proposed bill to grant Civil Service eligibility to medalists of the ongoing Southeast Asian Games (SEAGames) and their coaches.
CSC Commissioner Aileen Lizada told reporters that Iligan Rep. Frederick Siao phoned her about his proposed bill to grant Civil Service eligibility to SEAGames medalists and coaches.
Siao told MindaNews on Wednesday that he is sill in the process of finalizing his proposed bill.
But even before he files the bill, Siao has gotten the support of the CSC.
Lizada said she informed CSC chair Alicia dela Rosa-Bala and Commissioner Leopoldo Roberto Valderosa about Siao’s proposal and both support the move.
She said the CSC chair relayed a message for Siao that the CSC was willing to provide technical assistance in the drafting of the law if needed.
Lizada said the SEAGames medalists “bring international honor and recognition to our country” and the country must take care of its athletes.
She said medalists granted eligibility could be employed in the sports offices of local government units. “They can help our future athletes or those who are still training, impart their skills, their knowledge and share their experience to our trainees,” Lizada said, adding this would also boost the morale of athletes.
“It is high time we give due recognition and honor to our athletes as they give back due recognition and honor to our country,” Lizada added.
As of 7 p.m. on December 4, the Philippines is still number one in the 11-country competition with 117 medals – 56 gold, 40 silver and 21 bronze.
On the grant of eligibility to coaches, Lizada said “the victories of the athletes ay due po sa coaches. Let us include them in the discussion. Kasi they can be the coaches sa grassroots level po – LGU, so we can train our youth at an early age. Start them young po.”
Lizada explained that there are other means of acquiring civil service eligibility aside from passing the pen and paper test.
She cited the Honor Graduate eligibility, which is granted when one graduates from a four-year college course with honors.
The CSC has actually been granting 11 different eligibilities under special laws to qualified individuals.
According to the CSC website, these are: Bar/Board Eligibility under RA 1080; Barangay Health Worker Eligibility under RA 7883; Barangay Nutrition Scholar Eligibility under PD 1569; Barangay Official Eligibility under RA 7160; Electronic Data Processing Specialist Eligibility under CSC Res. 90-083; Foreign School Honor Graduate Eligibility under CSC Res. 1302714; Honor Graduate Eligibility under PD 907; Sanggunian Member Eligibility under RA 10156; Scientific and Technological Specialist Eligibility under PD 997; Skills Eligibility – Category II under CSC MC 11, s. 1996, as amended; and Veteran Preference Rating under EO 132/ 790. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
