This blog entry is not about my affection for that Polynesian island country led by a woman prime minister named Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa. It is just an acronym, actually a pun. It stands for Silent Address as Municipal OIC Administrator. In short, SAMOA.
On July 1, 2022, by Special Order No. 22-SO-1, Series of 2022, I was designated by Hon. Mayor Walter “Bong” B. Marquez of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. Therefore, like my principal, October 10, 2022, marks my first 100 days in the Office of the Municipal Administrator. These are my thoughts about reaching a century mark on my new designation here in this Local Government Unit.
May I always keep in mind that my position is just a speck of my whole being.
I downed three months in Office and nine more to complete my one year. Still a long, long way. Everything depends on the mayor who designated me for this position.
The 100-day concept has its roots in France, where the idea of "Cent Jours" (Hundred Days) refers to the period of 1815 between Napoleon Bonaparte's return to Paris from exile on the island of Elba and his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, says History Channel. But it was U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt who institutionalized it.
SAMOA is my parody version of SOMA or State of the Municipal Address. The SOMA is a report customarily given annually by the mayors in the Philippines. Since it is established by custom rather than law, it is not compulsory; nonetheless but it has legal bases in Sections 444(b)(1)(iii); 445(b)(iii), and 465(b)(iii) of the Local Government Code (LDC). Sablayan’s BBM calls it the State of the Local Government Address, not SOMA.
Here in the Municipality of Sablayan, we religiously follow such an informative tradition in line with the ideals of Transparency in governance. Mayor Bong will render his speech on his 100th day as mayor on Monday, October 10, 2022. Incidentally, as per Presidential Proclamation No. 63, on October 10 of every year, “Local Government Day” is commemorated. He will report and present his achievements to his constituents. He will not waste this opportunity of setting the tone for his administration. This is the moment of transition so he has to talk to the people.
If the SOMA or the State of Local Government Address usually covers Transparency, Accountability, Participation, and Administrative, Social, and Economic Governance, my SAMOA mainly revolves around Organizational Development. My Office covers two facets of general dimensions: Administrative Services and Human Resources. Though the Local Enterprise and Investment Development Promotions Office (LEIDPO) is under the Office of the Municipal Administrator's organizational structure, it has its independent thrusts and operation.
Generally, my Office oversees various income-generating facilities such as the public market, grand terminal, slaughterhouse, municipal port, etc. Still, the LEIDPO under Ms. Erminda V. Vicedo directly operates it. We now manage through other public utilities such as the sports complex and the sporting facilities inside it, such as the swimming pool. Also included are the astrodome and the municipal public cemetery. In the spirit of Transparency and the right to information, we now report to you, dear reader, our accomplishments for the period.
My staff, Brenda Catalan, Relly De Vera, Clarita Rosario, Noelyn May Santos, Leonora Urieta, King Labadan, Kent Gayo, MJ Mabagos, Edna Urieta, Agnes Dangeros, Rad Santos, Helen Ramos, Jenny Ann Lineses, Froilan Fernandez, Ariel Serna, and special mention to Mr. Medel Q. Bundang and Ms. Buena Fe F. Quiatchon, my predecessor, comprehensively prepared a short breakdown of our department's significant achievements for the first 100 days:
We initiated the conduct of Gender Sensitivity Training is an effective way to reduce gender barriers in the workplace and community. The training also provides a platform to heighten awareness of LGU employees on gender needs and to protect gender interests towards achieving an equally varied role in society.
The training was held on September 12-14, and September 19-21 at the Adventure Camp and was facilitated by GFPS Members and the Technical Working Group.
As part of the Health and Safety Welfare Program, the symposium on Mental Health was provided to LGU employees on September 27-28, 2022, to imbibe and practice a work-life balance amidst the challenges brought about by the pandemic.
The conduct of this activity is also consistent with Republic Act 11036, also known as the Mental Health Act, as well as the Memorandum Circular (MC) no. 4, series of 2020 of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on Mental Health Program in the public sector which directs all constitutional bodies, departments, agencies and offices of the National Government to develop an agency mental health program.
The Resource Person was Dr. Sahlee Montevirgen Sajo from the Department of Health, Regional Office.
The Civil Service Commission Region IV-B recognized the Municipal Government of Sablayan for the extraordinary services rendered by its officials and employees, driven by admirable courage and dedication in performing duties amid the COVID-19 health crisis.
In a virtual ceremony held on September 20, 2022, the CSC Regional Office conferred the certificate of recognition to the LGU Sablayan through this representation, MHO Dr. Meldie O. Driza-Soriano, and HRMO III, Medel Q. Bundang.
The LGU Sablayan kicked off the month-long celebration of the 122nd Philippine Civil Service Anniversary with a Holy Mass officiated by Fr. Rolly Villanueva, followed by a motorcade on September 5, 2022. After the motorcade, the teams convened at the Sablayan Sports Complex for the Zumba competition, athletics, and parlor games.
The Office of the Municipal Administrator led the activity through the Human Resource Management Division headed by HRMOIII, Medel Q. Bundang. This year's celebration is anchored on the theme "Transforming Public Service in the Next Decade: Honing Agile and Future-Ready Servant-Heroes."
The event is punctuated by a Sports Festival and Culmination Activity, including a Singing and Dancing Competition and a Search for G. at Bb. Lingkod Bayani 2022.
The Performance Management Team (PMT) facilitated the
calibration of the Office Performance Commitment Review (OPCR and the Department's
Performance Commitment Review of all offices/departments in the LGU Sablayan
for the first semester last August 20-29, 2022.
With the entry of the new administration, the newly appointed workforce was provided with an orientation and induction program to introduce them to the organization and work environment and help them to align with their new position, responsibilities, and work culture.
Through these programs, essential information was given to new employees for the best possible start and integration into the organization, which will help them grow and reach their full potential. Different activities were conducted in the LGU Main and extension offices by the HR Division.
There are still things that need to be done. Primarily is about the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM). This is under CSC Memorandum Circular No. 19, series of 2016. It has four (4) pillars or core areas: Recruitment, Selection, and Placement; Learning and Development; Performance Management; and Rewards and Recognition.
We will work double time to get accreditation from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to strengthen our drive further to cultivate excellence in the workplace. We will respond to Mayor Bong's firm resolve to advance the human capital of this local government with the help of its officials like you and me.
This is an essential life value among Samoans worldwide: ‘o le ala i le pule o le tautua’ (the pathway to leadership is through service).
May all of us be continuously reminded of this adage
from Samoa.
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(Photo: From L to R: Yours truly, Jayrome S. Dela Cruz, Municipal Accountant; Edward J. Cabalbag, GSO; Erminda V. Vicedo, LEIDPO; Luzviminda C. Alto, MPDC; Vice-Mayor Edwin N. Mintu; Mayor Bong Marquez; Fe T. Santos, Budget Officer; Atty. Melvie Silverio-Dacayanan, Municipal Civil Registrar; Lily D. Dangupon, Municipal Assessor; Mary Joie S. Angway, MSWDO; Arcris D. Canillo, MDRRMO; Reynaldo A. Factor, Municipal Agriculturist; and, Robert P. Duquil, MENRO.
Not in the photo: Engr. Admer Trillana, Municipal Engineer; Greg Sagana, Municipal Treasurer, and Dr. Meldie Soriano, Municipal Health Officer.)
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