CSC urged to fast-track creation of system for online civil service exam

The Senate finance subcommittee on Friday urged the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to fast-track the creation of online civil service examination system in a bid to fill the unoccupied plantilla positions in various government agencies amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The concern was raised by Senator Imee Marcos during the Senate panel’s deliberation of CSC’s proposed P1.896 billion budget for 2022.

During the hearing, Marcos questioned the cancellation of computerized examinations amid the pandemic.

CSC Chairperson Alicia Dela Rosa-Bala explained that even if the tests are already computerized, examiners are still required to go to the CSC regional offices to take the examinations.

She said the computerized examinations were also halted due to the travel restrictions brought about by the pandemic.

“Anong klaseng computerized kung hindi naman virtual? Bakit pupunta pa [sa regional offices]?” Marcos asked.

(What kind of computerized exam is this if it is not a virtual test? Why do they need to go to the regional offices?)

Dela Rosa-Bala said they are currently developing the online examination system.

However, Marcos pointed out that concerns and discussions on establishing the system have been going on for two years already.

“We understand, but we have to identify the appropriate vendors that will meet our requirements for the purpose. Right now, we have developed the terms of reference,” the CSC chairperson said.

Marcos said discussions on the term of reference mean the development of the system is still at the early stage of implementation.

“Kung nasa level pa ‘yan ng TOR kailan pa yan ma-implement?” she said.

(If that is at the level of TOR discussion, then when can we implement this?)

“This is at utmost urgency, as you know, there are thousands of unfilled plantilla positions and yet you are not qualifying anyone for a long, long period under the pandemic. So I need a schedule,” Marcos added

Dela Rosa-Bala told the senator that they are already finalizing the system and they will discuss it with the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

“Based on our schedule, hopefully, we are able to finish the development of the system within the year,” she said.

Dela Rosa-Bala also committed to the committee that the CSC will hold the online examination by first quarter of next year.

“[By] first quarter of next year, we will already be conducting an online examination,” she said.

For 2020, Dela Rosa-Bala said the commission was able to conduct only one pen-and-paper test for Foreign Service Officers, while they were able to facilitate two computerized examinations. These tests were all held prior to the declaration of the national health emergency.

For 2021, the CSC was able to hold three pen and paper examinations following the requests made by some government agencies. There are two pending tests scheduled at the latter part of the year.

The Senate panel has endorsed the CSC’s 2022 budget to the plenary as well as the P73 million proposed budget of the Career Executive Service Board for 2022. --KBK, GMA News