Ateam from the Civil Service Commission headed by CSC Cebu South Field office led by Nissi Cherith Asis noted some areas that need improvement during their surprise visit to the Minglanilla municipal hall in southern Cebu to implement the Anti-Red Tape Act (Arta) watch.
The team proceeded directly to the budget office during noon break but the door was locked.
A municipal employee seated at the lounge area told them that the budget staff may still be out taking a break.
A staff from the adjacent mayor’s office, together with the municipal local government officer, came out to inquire from them the purpose of their visit.
They replied by asking if there was someone inside the budget office. The municipal employees said that the staff may be at the restroom.
Ratchila Anor, Human Resource Management officer of Minglanilla, assisted the team during their visit.
At 12:54 p.m., a staff of the Municipal Budget Office arrived, opened the door with her key and turned on the lights as she got in.
She explained that the municipal budget officer was inside the office but requested to turn off the lights so she can take a rest as she had fever. The budget officer just came back that day from a two-day official activity.
The team was invited into the mayor’s office, where only upon entering when the lights were turned on.
The mayor was out of the office then for an official function at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.
The team noted that each table in the mayor’s office has a name of the employee occupying it and a tag mounted on tall “sticks” bore a greeting, “Hi.”
The team also noted that the Citizen’s Charter was posted in big tarpaulins in both the first and second floors, though not in all the departments.
There were also anti-fixer posters and “No Noon Break” signages.
But a signage giving priority to senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities could not be easily noticed as it was already partly smeared with moisture.
There were no directions as to where the location of the offices are although each office had proper labels on their doors.
Most of the employees wore IDs, while a few others did not.
After their visit, Asis asked the municipal officials to comply with the Arta provisions, such as the “No Noon Break Policy,” the posting of the Citizen’s Charter in all offices, posting of directional signs, the wearing of readable ID cards/nameplates, and the employee’s behavior.
In behalf of the mayor and vice mayor, Anor and the local DILG officer welcomed Asis’ recommendations.