Binay cites CESO role in good governance

MANILA, Philippines - Good governance is also highly dependent on the efficiency of Career Executive Service Officers (CESOs) in various government agencies, Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday.

Binay told the 10th Annual Career Executive Service Conference in Heritage Hotel in Pasay City that the government must attract the best men and women to join government service to enhance the people’s trust in government.

“In my years as a public official, I have long believed that government needs to be able to attract, develop and retain the best men and women,” Binay said.

Like the private sector, Binay said the government would be more competitive if it employs the best and the brightest men and women.

“If corporations compete to hire the best people in order to realize their sales targets or expansion plans, then is it not important for government, an institution concerned with the welfare of each Filipino, to get people who are just as good?” he remarked.

Binay said CESOs are “linchpins” in the government’s efforts to reinvigorate the civil service and enhance the public’s trust in public servants.

“You are the cogs in the machinery that is government and your service heavily influences the culture that your agencies shall develop and hold over time,” Binay said.

“The best laid plans of our elected leaders shall amount to nothing more than brilliant discourse, if these cannot be efficiently and promptly implemented,” Binay added.

He said the limited resources available to government offices have taught CESOs to be creative in order to maximize outputs.

One clear advantage of the private sector, Binay said, lies in their exposure to current technologies and trends, their ability to devote resources to research and development, and their ability to redirect their organizations quickly.

“Like you, I know the sacrifice that all have made in order to answer the calling of public service. I am aware that at times, the realities of daily life make it tempting to cross over into the private sector, where compensation is well beyond what we earn,” Binay said.  

Binay also urged CESOs to let their professionalism shine as they apply themselves fully to their vocation and live up to their oaths in office.

“But I believe that all of you can match if not surpass anything that our private sector counterparts can accomplish, given the proper access and opportunities. And few corporations can claim to have charted the destiny of an entire nation,” Binay said.