CSC gets $500,000 grant for e-governance project

By Alexander Villafania, INQ7.net

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) recently received a 500,000 US dollar grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for an e-governance project aimed at improving the selection process for civil servants but is more inclined at reducing political favoritism.

The project, funded by the Japan Fund for Information and Communications Technology (JFICT), is expected to ensure a more rational, transparent and cost-efficient decision-making process for the country’s civil service system.

Malacañang will provide a counterpart fund of 250,000 US dollars for the project’s total estimated cost of 750,000 US dollars.

The project has three phases spread out over 16 months. The first entails the development, installation and operation of a common database on personnel information for all incoming and incumbent civil servants.

The database will ensure that screening of civil service is done in accordance with policies. It would also help insulate the civil service from political patronage and ensure the selection of the most competent candidates.

The second phase is the creation of an Internet portal for third level (Cabinet level) government executives wherein they could use interactive multimedia tools for acquiring and sharing information and transacting business with partner agencies. The third phase is an online learning facility on management concepts.

ADB Senior Financial Management Specialist Emma Yang said the CSC project will rely heavily on ICT as tools for public administration reforms and to improve public service delivery.

“The collective strength of this segment of the civil service is a potent force that can be mobilized for large-scale initiatives for civil service reforms," Yang said.