COTABATO CITY – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan
has challenged the region’s civil servants to commit themselves to the highest standards of civil service through upholding the moral and ethical standards as they serve the country and deliver basic services to the people.

In saluting the regional government’s personnel whom he described as “heroes,” the ARMM chief executive hurled the challenge as the autonomous government that covers the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu and the city of Marawi kicked off its celebration of the month-long 109th anniversary of Philippine Civil Service at the ARMM capitol complex here.

He asked all the personnel of the regional government, the local government units (LGUs), government-owned and controlled corporations and state universities and colleges to join the observance to foster a better public service and also cultivate camaraderie and cooperation among themselves.

ARMM Executive Secretary Oscar Sampulna represented and read the regional governor’s speech for the celebrations.

“I hope this celebration will further inspire each of us to keep up with the principles of being an ideal and efficient public servant. The ARMM regional leadership is committed to providing a working environment conducive to the professional growth and development of government employees,”
said Ampatuan in a statement from the ARMM’s Bureau of Public Information (BPI).

ARMM-BPI Executive Director Hadji Samson Gogo said the celebration’s central objective is to bestow recognition on public servants that have displayed “exemplary performances towards a quality and productive services to the public.”

The celebration’s theme is “Honoring our Heroes in Republic Service – Responsive, Ethical Public Servants with Vision, Impact, Commitment and Excellence.”

Gogo said the Civil Service Commission in the region (CSC-ARMM) is stressing “the devotion, honesty, excellence and sacrifices of heroes in service both the public and the republic.”

CSC Chairman Ricardo L. Saludo described how a public servant ought to be: “A public servant should be ethical in the highest order of principle and imbue our life with deepest integrity to remain public trust and support,” adding the public servant always puts the interest and welfare of the people first.

On the other hand, CSC-ARMM Assistant Commissioner Elmer R. Bartolata cited CSC Memorandum
Circular No. 27, Series of 2009, “that the best way for public servants to honor the heroes among us, is not just to extol and reward their achievements, but to emulate their example through republic service.”