Mayor Celso Lobregat will lead the over 2,000 city government officials and employees in the kick off program for the month long celebration of the 110th anniversary of Civil Service Commission that will coincide with the flag raising ceremony in front of City Hall at 8 a.m. today.

Themed “Responsive, Accessible, Courteous and Effective (RACE) Public Service”, the program will, the program will start with an opening prayer and the pambansang awit and the Juramiento de un Empleado de Gobierno or government employees’ pledge.

The activity will be highlighted by the taped voice messages of President Noynoy Aquino and Civil Service Commission chairperson Hon. Francisco Duque III.

Mayor Lobregat will also give his civil service message where he is expected to cite the important role of city government workers in the fulfillment of the city’s vision and mission.

Acting City Legal Officer Norberto Patriarca will announce the basis and the activities for the CSC month-long celebration.

The celebration of 110th civil service anniversary will be simultaneous in all government agencies during the flag raising ceremonies today. The president’s taped message will be played.

The President has lauded the work of government employees, saying in Filipino, “I am happy to have you on my side in our continued fight to build a government that would not turn away from its responsibilities to the country.” 

Every September, government employees commemorate the establishment of the civil service system in 1900 by the Second Philippine Commission through Public Law No. 5. The country has some 1.4 million people working for the government.

Civil Service Commission (CSC) chair Francisco Duque III said that the bureaucracy needs the right direction, strategy and speed to win the race against mediocrity, graft, corruption, and setbacks caused by limited resources and increased public expectations.