By Michelle Ducut
The Civil Service Commission in Bicol (CSC-5) awarded special eligibilities to more than 3,600 individuals from January 1 to November 30, 2024, allowing them to qualify for government service without taking the traditional career service examination. During a media event on Tuesday at the CSC regional office in Barangay Rawis, Legazpi City, CSC-5 Director Daisy Punzalan-Bragais explained that passing the career service examination is not the only way to obtain civil service eligibility. She encouraged individuals who qualify to take advantage of the special privileges offered by the commission.
Bragais noted that the highest number of special eligibilities granted this year were to honor graduates, in accordance with Presidential Decree 907. She also highlighted other categories of special eligibility, including those for barangay health workers, barangay nutrition scholars, barangay officials, electronic data processing specialists, sanggunian members, scientific and technological specialists, skilled workers under Category II, veterans under the preference rating program, and recipients of the Career Service Eligibility-Preference Rating. She added that applicants for these special eligibilities are required to submit necessary certifications, such as proof of service from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, to validate their qualifications.
Bragais also reported that CSC-5 recorded more than 5,000 passers in the Career Service Examination-Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) in 2024. She advised aspiring examinees to review general knowledge thoroughly, particularly mathematics, as some takers performed well in English but struggled with mathematical components. Looking to the future, she announced that the CSC plans to launch a new examination platform in 2025, which will allow examinees to bring their laptops for the career service exam, similar to the bar examinations. She emphasized that this innovation is designed to enhance convenience and accessibility for examinees.
Bragais reiterated the commission’s commitment to providing opportunities for individuals seeking government employment through both traditional and alternative eligibility routes. These efforts aim to ensure a capable and diverse workforce in the Bicol region.