SSS Catanduanes gets Seal of Excellence Award

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, May 14 (PIA) -- Social Security System (SSS) Catanduanes branch received the Citizen’s Satisfaction Center Seal of Excellence Award of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

CSC Catanduanes provincial director Maria Guia DV. Garcia said that the award was conferred by virtue of CSC Resolution Number 1200656 promulgated in April 23, 2012 granting the said award to SSS branch here

Section 10 of the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007 states that all offices and agencies providing frontline services shall be subjected to a Report Card Survey (RCS) to be initiated by the Civil Service Commission, in coordination with the Development Academy of the Philippines, which shall be used to obtain feedback on how provisions in the Citizen’s Charter are being followed and how the agency is performing.

The CSC has conducted the RCS in fifty (50) selected government agencies from July 1- August 31, 2011.

In Catanduanes, the RCS was conducted at Social Security System,(SSS)- Catanduanes Branch in July 2011 and February-March 2012.

In conducting the RCS, Garcia explained that interviewers were guided by the RCS Survey Instruments which include the Manual Instructions (MOI), Survey Questionnaire (SQ) and Inspection Checklist (IC).

The items in the SQ and IC were assigned a corresponding number of points, which add up to a maximum of 1200 points. In the case of SSS Catanduanes, 30 clients who availed of the frontline of the agency services were interviewed, which results showed that the agency has obtained excellent rating in the RCS Report Card.

In line with this, an awarding ceremony is tentatively scheduled this June. A cash reward of P75,000 pesos shall be granted to SSS Catanduanes which shall be used for the purchase of equipment and/or other materials and services that will improve the delivery of its frontline services and shall be charged from the ARTA fund of the CSC.

A wall-mountable glass seal that bears the CSC Seal of Excellence Award Symbol will also be given to SSS. (MAL/EAB-PIA Catanduanes)



DA allots P10M for Bicol livelihood projects

By Analiza S. Macatangay

PILI, CAMARINES SUR, May 14 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture has allotted P10 million for livelihood projects of the fisheries sector in the region.

The funds will be distributed among eleven fisherfolks' organizations in the region, nine local government units and one university from the province of Camarines Norte.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) V regional director Dennis Del Socorro said that the livelihood projects will be concentrated on mangrove propagation in the various coastlines in the region, construction of fish cages with ten units of bottom set gillnets, four units of engines for motorized banca, two units of fishing vessel and three sets of bamboo fish cages.

Certificate of awards were also awarded to the fisherfolk recipients of Camarines Norte, including the awarding of Aquasilvi culture project, mangrove rehabilitation project, seaweeds input assistance and various fishing paraphernalia. A community-based multi species hatchery project was also awarded to Camarines Norte State College (CNSC).

Fishing paraphernalia which include ten bottom set gill nets, four units of marine engine, two units of motorized banca and three units of fish cage net were also raffled off.

Aside from the said projects, DA Secretary Proceso Alcala also distributed ten goats to selected fishermen and one module of sheep composed of three (3) females sheep or ewe and one ram for additional source of livelihood.

During his Bicol visit, Alcala also took time to listen to the local government officials and fisherfolks’ concern regarding the services and programs of BFAR and DA. The fruitful exchange of thoughts aims to solicit the real condition of the agriculture sector in the country.

The said visit is also in line with the month long celebration of the Farmer’s and Fisherfolk’s month with the theme “Sapat na Pagkain, Sama Sama Nating Kamtin.”

Alcala is determined to bring into fore the various services of the national government while it steadfastly focuses its efforts to attain self sufficiency in rice, along with other major stables before the end of 2013. (MAL/LSM-PIA Camarines Sur)