The Civil Service Commission (CSC) on Tuesday urged government agencies to pursue digital transformation not just to improve efficiency and delivery of public service, but also to ensure continuous service in times of crisis. 'I call on the heads of agencies, supported by their human resource (HR) and information technology (IT) officers, to provide the necessary leadership and resources that will enable their respective organizations to make best use of digital technology for improved governance,' CSC chairperson Karlo Nograles said in a statement. Nograles said the pandemic has underscored the importance of embracing digital technologies and harnessing a digitally capable and future-ready workforce to withstand crises and disruptions in public services. He said expediting the digital transformation within the government is one of the specified measures outlined in Chapter 14 of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, aimed at streamlining and strengthening government functions, systems, and mechanisms. This entails various endeavors such as strengthening the legal and institutional framework for digital public service delivery; adopting paperless, cashless, and data-empowered transactions; and developing the capacity of civil servants. Nograles, however, stressed that digital transformation is not simply about moving from manual or analog to digital tools. 'You cannot just decide to shift to online services without enabling your people to understand and operate the technology; without making adjustments to internal rules and procedures; or without ensuring that your clientele is capable of using the technology. Digital transformation requires holistic change within the organization, and a clear strategy based on a sound assessment of the clients' needs,' he said. 'The ultimate goal is to promote good governance and improve bureaucratic efficiency.' CSC Initiatives As the central human resource institution of the Philippine government, Nograles said the CSC is also undertaking its own digital transformation journey. 'The CSC is faced with the mammoth task of transforming a 123-year-old bureaucracy into an agile, smart, and future-ready workforce. The CSC needs to find ways to increase its own capability as an institution, thus, the imperative to embrace innovation, technology and change,' he said. To efficiently manage internal workflows and create a seamless workplace experience, the CSC developed the Smart Workplace Initiative, which involved transforming the workplace into a co-working space suitable for hybrid and mobile work set-up through internet accessibility; shifting to the paperless and real-time Human Resource Information System (HRIS) that serves as a centralized repository of a CSC employee's data; and utilization of the Knowledge Management Portal that provides eServices for CSC employees. In response to the emerging trends in public service, the CSC also established the Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO). Previously operating as a division within the Integrated Records Management Office, ICTO has now been established as a separate entity exclusively focused on ICT initiatives. Its primary objective is to oversee the current and future IT programs while promoting digital literacy and facilitating the Commission's transformation towards digitalization. 'For a streamlined and digitalized services and to ensure uninterrupted delivery of government services, we enhanced our Online Registration, Appointment, and Scheduling System or ORAS in 2020 to accommodate online applications for frontline services, as well as online submission of requests and payments,' Nograles said. The Civil Service Institute, as the training and development arm of the Commission, also maximized the opportunity to reach a wider coverage of learners by transitioning from face-to-face seminars to online learning, making the programs more cost-effective and aligned with the new learning needs of civil servants. He said the CSC is also preparing the Digital Feedback Management System (DFMS), which will utilize artificial intelligence and natural language processing to converse with clients and attend to their concerns. Through the DFMS, the Commission is hoping to provide enhanced customer experience for the public and deliver instant information 24/7, he said. 'The CSC is committed to becoming the leader in empowering human resources and delivering efficient services to its stakeholders. Our digital transformation efforts align with this vision, utilizing innovative technologies to enhance employee efficiency and provide better services to the public in the new normal,' Nograles said. (PNA)

Source: Philippines News Agency