Revitalizing the CESO Pool as the Government Executive Resource Pool and Providing Guidelines Therefor

July 13, 2017

CESB RESOLUTION NO. 1362-17

REVITALIZING THE CESO POOL AS THE GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE RESOURCE POOL AND PROVIDING GUIDELINES THEREFOR

WHEREAS, Presidential Decree (PD) Number 1, as implemented through the Integrated Reorganization Plan (IRP), created the Career Executive Service (CES) "to form a continuing pool of well-selected and development-oriented career administrators who shall provide competent and faithful service";

WHEREAS, the policy intent of PD 1 was to make available a pool of talent and expertise drawn from Career Executive Service Officers (CESOs) that can be harnessed to support the developmental thrusts of the civil service;

WHEREAS, the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2017 (Republic Act Number (10924), under CSC-CESB Special Provision Number 1, provided for the establishment of a Government Executive Resource Pool, with an allocated budget of Five Million Pesos (PhP5,000,000.00) for members of the CES "who are qualified or have availed of the Government Executive Resource Pool x x x";

WHEREAS, there is a need for policy and implementation guidelines to revitalize the CESO Pool and ensure concrete mechanisms and processes that support the management of the Government Executive Resource Pool in a manner that provides for a developmental program to restore confidence in the CES, maximize CESO performance, support CES mobility and placement efforts, and showcase public service innovations and best practices;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Board hereby RESOLVES, as it hereby RESOLVED to adopt and implement the following guidelines:

I

Program Name and Rationale

Program Name. The CESO Pool Program is hereby renamed as the Government Executive Resource Pool Program, hereinafter referred to as "GERP Program", in accordance with CSC-CESB Special Provision Number 1 of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2017 (Republic Act Number (10924).

Program Rationale. The revitalization of the CESO Pool Program into the GERP Program ensures the realization of the legal mandate of the members of the CES to provide continuing competent and faithful service, and policy and program stability in pursuit of national development goals.

The revitalized GERP Program further supports and complements the mobility principle of the CES, providing for the reassignment or transfer of CESOs from one position to another and from one department, bureau or office to another, as the interest of public service may require.

The GERP Program shall also be a platform for conceptualizing, formulating and implementing a relevant and responsive continuing lifelong learning program, and training and career development for the members of the CES.

II

Program Objectives

The GERP Program seeks to promote the efficient and fair implementation of the development-oriented principle of mobility in the CES system while upholding the Constitutionally-guaranteed right to tenure of CESOs. It also aims to provide diverse and relevant opportunities to foster lifelong learning and continuing career development of CESOs.

III

Coverage

The guidelines prescribed in this Resolution shall apply to all CESOs and CES eligibles who are incumbents of CES positions. CESOs refer to officials who possess CES eligibility and have been appointed to CES ranks by the President.

IV

GERP Program Tracks and Mechanisms for Availment

Program Tracks. There shall be two (2) tracks by which CESOs may avail of the revitalized GERP Program:

(1) The Job Placement or Rotation Initiative. This track provides the mechanism to support the transfer, reassignment or placement of CESOs from the agency of original appointment to another agency as the exigency of the service requires. ETHIDa

This is open for availment by CESOs whose placement in the GERP Program is made by the agency or department head of the concerned CESO. For this purpose, the agency or department head refers to the Member of the Cabinet or the Secretary of the concerned national government agency.

(2) The CES Public Service Career Enrichment. This track provides the platform for pursuing professional development endeavors that support continuing knowledge management, replicating best practices in public governance, documenting pertinent policies, regulations and program processes, among other development-oriented initiatives that the Board shall approve.

CESOs and CES eligibles who meet the qualifications criteria set in this guidelines may avail of this track by submitting the Intent to Participate in the CES Public Service Career Enrichment, duly endorsed by the concerned agency or department head.

There shall be two (2) types of CES Public Service Career Enrichment, namely:

2.1 Professional Advancement refers to the professional development and/or creative work chosen by the CESO. It enriches agency knowledge resources and expands the technical, artistic, and/or professional fields with the CESO's scholarly inputs.

2.1.1 Kinds of Public Service CareerEnrichment through Professional Advancement

a. Full-time fellowships for engagement in part- or full-time teaching, research, publications work in a local, national, international academic research or training institution;

b. Full-time scholarships or enrolment in advanced post-graduate or specialized studies locally or abroad; and

c. Pursuit of creative/artistic endeavors in the fields of art not covered under items (a) and (b).

2.2 Public Service Reforms and Innovations refer to fresh, creative, and meaningful opportunities for applying competencies and standards outside of work, focusing on public service reforms and/or development initiatives.

2.2.1 Kinds of Public Service Career Enrichment through Public Service Reforms and Innovations

a. Postings/attachments in other national government agencies (NGAs), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), state universities and colleges (SUCs) or local government units (LGUs);

b. Postings/attachments in local/international organizations engaged in development, such as, but not limited to the Galing Pook Foundation, Gawad Kalinga, United Nations Volunteers (UNV), and Greenpeace; and

c. Involvement in voluntary development work focused on felt needs and challenges in the fields of environment, health, general administration, security, peace and order, economy, and education.

Program Mechanisms. The following criteria, procedures and mechanics shall govern the placement or participation of CESOs in the GERP Program under the two tracks of the program:

a. The Job Placement or Rotation Initiative Track

1. Qualification Criteria. Only CESOs who are incumbents of CES positions shall qualify for transfer, reassignment or placement through the GERP Program.

2. Procedures and Mechanics of Entry.

2.1 The Head of Agency shall inform the CESO in writing, copy furnished the Career Executive Service Board (CESB), of the intention to place the CESO in the GERP Program under the Job Placement or Rotation Initiative Track, substantiating therein the exigencies of the service that justify the placement, such as, but not limited to:

a. A CESO who is placed in the Program for cause;

b. A CESO who is placed in the Program for want of capacity to perform his/her respective duties and responsibilities;

c. A CESO who differs with the policy directions of his/her agency head; and

d. A CESO who has lost the confidence of his/her agency head, the application of which shall comply with the following guidelines:

i. The loss of confidence should not be simulated;

ii. It should not be used as a subterfuge for causes which are improper, illegal or unjustified;

iii. It should not be arbitrarily asserted in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary;

iv. It must be genuine, not a mere afterthought to justify earlier action taken in bad faith; and

v. It must be substantial and not arbitrary, whimsical, capricious or concocted.

2.2 However, and for this purpose, alleged acts or omissions on the part of the CESO which constitute existing grounds for administrative or criminal offenses in the civil service that warrant the filing of appropriate charges shall not be considered as a valid ground to place the CESO in the GERP;

2.3 Within fifteen (15) days from receipt of such notice from the Head of Agency, the CESO may, in writing, contest his/her placement in the GERP program and provide justifiable reasons for evaluation by the CESB;

2.4 In case of a contested placement in the GERP Program, the CESB Chairperson shall convene mediation meetings between the Head of Agency or his/her duly designated representative and the CESO to facilitate an arrangement that shall serve the best interest of the service;

2.5 If the CESO does not contest the request for placement in the GERP Program, the CESB Chairperson shall, within fifteen (15) days, issue the GERP Facilitated Placement Order. This Order shall indicate the following: cSEDTC

2.5.1 That the CESO shall be transferred to the GERP Program and avail of facilitated placement under the Job Placement or Rotation Initiative;

2.5.2 That in no case shall the CESO stay in the Program for more than six (6) months;

2.5.3 That within the six-month facilitated placement of the CESO in the GERP Program, the CESB Chairperson shall:

a. Exercise supervision over the concerned CESO;

b. Assign to the CESO special projects/specific undertakings that will benefit most from his/her expertise; and

c. Evaluate the CESO's performance on the assigned task.

2.5.4 That during the six-month facilitated placement in the GERP Program the CESO shall:

a. Formulate a Work Plan

a.1. The work plan shall be approved by the CESB Chairperson and shall vary depending on the following criteria:

i. Capability and expertise of the CESO;

ii. Areas for improvement of the CESO; and

iii. Requirements of the Office of the CESB Chairperson.

a.2. Moreover, the work plan shall include the following:

i. Specific programs, projects, and activities;

ii. Impact indicator and target outputs for identified programs, projects, and activities; and

iii. Timeframe set to accomplish the identified programs, projects, and activities.

b. Undergo Performance Evaluation

b.1. The performance of a CESO during the facilitated placement in the GERP Program shall be evaluated in accordance with:

i. The output based on the assigned work plan;

ii. Job-related behavior in accomplishing the assigned work plan; and

iii. Interventions for capability building and/or enhancement to address previously identified areas for improvement. SDAaTC

2.6 While the CESO is in the GERP Program the CESB, within the six-month period, shall:

a. Conduct mediation activities and concrete interventions with the mother agency of the CESO where issues can be elevated and resolved to help address and identify the competency and developmental opportunities of the official within the agency; and

b. Exert facilitated placement efforts through identification of agencies with specific competency needs and consultations with the head of agencies for purposes of seamless matching of an official with an agency and for possible transfer of the CESO to other national government agencies or departments;

2.7 After the six-month facilitated placement of the CESO in the GERP Program, the CESB shall work towards the return of the CESO to his/her mother agency;

a. If the facilitated placement, transfer or reassignment efforts succeed, the CESB shall ensure that the issuance of appointment papers is facilitated by the receiving agency or department.

b. However, if the facilitated placement, transfer or reassignment efforts do not succeed neither the return of the CESO to his/her mother agency is possible, the CESO shall be deemed to have vacated his/her position in the mother agency at the end of the period of placement in the GERP Program.

b. The CES Public Service Career Enrichment Track

1. Qualification Criteria.

CESOs and CES eligibles who obtained an "Outstanding" performance rating for two (2) consecutive rating periods are qualified to participate in the CES Public Service Career Enrichment.

In cognizance of exemplary accomplishments of CESOs and CES eligibles, the CESB shall accord priority to recipients of CESB and CSC honor awards, as well as competitive/merit-driven agency-based awards within the last five (5) years immediately preceding the year of application.

The CESO or CES eligible who intends to participate must not have any pending administrative or criminal case against him/her, or has not been penalized and/or convicted in an administrative or criminal case filed against him/her.

2. Frequency of Availment.

A CESO or CES eligible may avail of the CES Public Service Career Enrichment once in every seven (7) years.

3. Mechanics for Participation in the CES Public Service Career Enrichment Track.

3.1 A CESO or CES eligible who is interested to participate in the CES Public Service Career Enhancement Track must submit his/her Intent to Participate duly endorsed by the Head of Agency, accompanied by the proposed Program of Work, and supported by clearances from the Civil Service Commission (CSC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) and Sandiganbayan;

3.2 The CES Governing Board shall evaluate the submitted Intent to Participate and proposed Program of Work, and render a decision on whether to admit the applicant to the CES Public Service Career Enrichment Track;

3.3 The CES Governing Board may also invite motu proprio a qualified CESO or CES eligible to the CES Public Service Career Enrichment Track;

3.4 Once approved by the CESB, the CESO or CES eligible shall sign the CES Public Service Career Enrichment Contract which provides for the duties and responsibilities of participants in the Program.

Program Implementation Scope and Guidelines

(1) Duration. The duration of the GERP Program, either under the Job Placement or Rotation Initiative or under the CES Public Service Career Enrichment, shall be for a minimum period of three (3) months to a maximum period of six (6) months.

(2) Policies on Personnel Actions.

2.1 Entry to the GERP Program under the CES Public Service Career Enrichment through Public Service Reforms and Innovations shall be effected through secondment or detail in other NGAs, GOCCs, SUCs and LGUs, which involves the movement of an official from one department or agency, which is temporary in nature, which may not require the issuance of an appointment and which may involve increase in compensation.

2.2 An official may be placed in a same position from one department to another, as the interest of public service may require, provided that such placement involves no diminution of rank and benefits. Acceptance, however, should be voluntary on the part of the official.

2.3 After the third (3rd) month of secondment or detail of the official, the mother agency may fill up the temporary vacated position of its incumbent placed on the GERP Program through a substitute appointment. Moreover, the substitute appointment shall be effective only until the return of the participant from the GERP Program.

(3) Payment of Salaries, Benefits and Allowances. Salaries, benefits and allowances of a CESO or CES eligible while in the GERP Program shall be shouldered by his/her mother agency for the first three (3) months. Beyond the third (3rd) month until the sixth (6th) month, such shall be borne by the GERP fund.

(4) Duties and Responsibilities of Participants in the GERP Program. The participant in the GERP Program shall strictly observe the prescribed office hours, if any, under the Job Placement or Rotation Initiative or under the CES Public Service Career Enrichment. The participant shall submit to the CESB official documentation that he/she abided by the required attendance under the applicable track of the GERP Program at the end thereof.

(5) Pre-Termination. Participation in the GERP Program may be pre-terminated either by the participant or by his/her agency without adverse consequences in the following instances:

5.1 When the GERP Program is completed earlier than planned; and

5.2 When there is/are humanitarian/meritorious reasons to pre-terminate the participation in the GERP Program.

(6) Non-Compliance with the Terms of Entry. Non-compliance with the terms of entry to the GERP Program shall cause the cancellation of the participant's Intent to Participate, or of the ongoing availment of the GERP Program. Further, the grant of said privilege shall be permanently forfeited. acEHCD

Administration and Supervision of the GERP Program. The CESB Secretariat shall render secretariat and technical support in the administration of the GERP Program and shall perform functions including but not limited to:

(1) Maintaining an updated inventory of skills/expertise of CESOs and CES eligibles, and of vacancies in government;

(2) Executing and monitoring of GERP Program placements;

(3) Processing of requests, preparation of pertinent documents/contracts/reports; and

(4) Documentation.

V

Repealing Clause

CSC-CESB Joint Circular No. 2, Series of 2002 ("Revised Guidelines on the Administration of the Career Executive Service Officer [CESO] Pool") is hereby superseded accordingly.

VI

Effectivity of the New Guidelines

These guidelines shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

APPROVED this 13th day of July 2017 in Quezon City, Philippines.

(SGD.) ALICIA DELA ROSA-BALA, CESO IChairperson

(SGD.) CHARITO R. ELEGIRMember

(SGD.) EVANGELINE C. CRUZADOMember

ROLANDO L. METINMember

(SGD.) ELBA S. CRUZMember

ALBERTO A. BERNARDOMember

(SGD.) ERWIN M. ENADMember

Attested by:

(SGD.) CARMELA M. CONTIBoard Secretary III