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Regional Director's Speeches
Acceptance Speech on the Occasion of The Lingkod Ng Bayan Award Rites
William Faulkner, the Nobel Prize Awardee, had once said this line when he accepted the NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE, and I would like to recreate what he said through this line:
I feel that this award was not made to me as a man, but to my work – a life’s work in the pursuit for quality and excellence for the service of God and country.
I feel that this award is only mine in trust, for what I have achieved is motivated not out of ambition, but it sprang from my honest intention to serve and translate the mission-vision of the National Statistics Office INTO REALITY.
Indeed, this award is only mine in trust, for what I conceptualized and actualized through the introduction of the Barangay Civil Registration System was dedicated to the fulfillment of giving each and every invicible citizen his / her identity.
This might be called a dream, but with the concerted efforts of my colleagues and with the strong support of NSO Administrators , WE DARED TO MAKE THAT DREAM COME TRUE.
Please allow me then to consecrate this award to GOD ALMIGHTY and to dedicate this to the 84 million Filipinos who we will continuously serve with passion and commitment.
THANK YOU.
NEDA Inspirational Message
Success doesn’t happen by accident. The most successful activity. The most successful activity of any organizations possess a leader who are equipping others around them, either a governmental or private one. When a leader is dedicated to the equipping process, the level of performance within the whole group rises dramatically. That is what I observed with the statistical community through RSCC in the Region. What I’m saying is that we are lucky the region is headed by a leader with the qualities inherent in the person of Dir. Myra Balandra. It is through her unquestionable leadership that positioned the RSCC to a higher level of performance as manifested by the different activities we have had during the celebration of this year’s National Statistics Month.
However, I believe that nothing of significance is ever achieved by an individual acting alone although we admire solo achievement as no lone individual can do anything of value. Hence, I wish also to congratulate the other agencies and partners who made some personal sacrifice, either time or monetary to make the NSM a success. Yes, sometimes you have to sacrifice some small efforts of your own in order to accomplish a bigger result with someone else. And look at the result. The group has successfully done tremendous accomplishments this year.
It all started with a big bang on October 3 by a motorcade participated by several agencies and followed by a lined of several activities like research presentation, exhibits, essay, oratorical and slogan contest and now this Statistical quiz.
Our theme for this year’s celebration is “Modernizing Agriculture and Fishery Through Quality Statistics”. With this theme, I believe that the Administration is committed to a meaningful implementation of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act. As agriculture modernized, safeguard are put in place to guarantee that intensified production does not undermine the integrity of the environment. The administration espouses policies that promote environment-friendly technologies and sustainable farming practices that conserve natural resources.
36th Fire Service Recognition Ceremony
December 18, 2009,Midleton Apartelle, Cagayan de Oro City
My respect to the men and women of the Bureau of Fire Protection of this region specially to Director Eleuterio Iturriaga, Supt Lindy Lauzon and to my Friend and Collegue from Capitol University, Supt Alan Aladano, OFFICERS AND MEN, Good Morning..
I am indeed proud to have been invited to Speak before this group to grace the recognition of the Fire Service Recognition Day to give honor and due recognition to deserving officers and personnel who have demonstrated exemplary behavior, outstanding performance, heroic deeds, extraordinary acts or services and exhibited superior accomplishments which contributed to the overall mission to the bureau, in the light of public service.
Am reminded of a story in the small town where I grew up. One summer day, there was a big fire that engulf the mansion house of the mayor of the town. The fire department of the town could not contain the fire, so they thought of asking help from neighboring town though they were hesitant because it was known that the fire truck of the town was dilapidated. Yet they asked they assistance. In a few minutes they heard a seren and the Fire truck was coming and it went direct to the building. The Chief of the Fire department of our town was surprised of the extraordinary courage shown by the neighboring fire department. In a short while the fire was contained. Happy and amused, the Mayor awarded a considerable cash prize to the Fire chief of the neighboring town. When asked by the News Reporter, the Chief said that he will use the money to fix the brake of their fire truck. For whatever reason, it was a manifestation of courage and passion to help their comrades in time of need.
REDEFINING THE WORH “HERO”
But heroism for me is not only displayed in time of fire or conflagration like what happened to 9/11 which according to Pres, Bush, the Fire fighters at that time help in redefining the word “Hero”. In one occasion again from my hometown, I heard our neighbor who was a firefighter, Kapoy daw ila trabaho kay wala sunog”.(May his soul rest in peace). Maybe its not. The National Statistics Office was perceived before was perceived that it exist only “In order to Count People” which is done once in every ten years. What we did is simply to create the demand. We tried to see where we can of help. We found out that several of our brothers and sisters who were abroad were denied when interviewed at the Foreign Embasies. Reason- their birth or marriage certificates where fake. We have young graduates who cannot take board examinations because their names or surnames in their birth certificates where misspelled, some of constituents could not avail of health benefits from Philhealth because they have no birth certificates or some could not claim their insurance benefits because they have not birth or marriage records, and so on. We tried our best to prove to these end users that we have a way of solving their predicaments by offering them our genuine and prestigious documents that they can rely on. This time we at least 1,000 clients a day here at Cagayan de Oro City and just this month we have about 23,000 total clients that we find time in containing them. This is where office creativity came in when we conceptualized the Barangay Civil Registration and the Empowerment of the Tribal chieftains thereby solving the long line of clients starting 4:00 in the morning.
Create the Demand is the byword.. but in the case of your Bureau- it does not mean that you have to burn houses just to have works.. In fact, you should be commended if there is no fire incident in a given time, as shown to our statistics that there were only about 75 fire incidents in the second quarter of 2009 with an estimated total amount of fire damage to property of PhP25,920,000.00.
THINK OUT OF THE BOX AND ENHANCED COMPETENCIES
What we need is to think out of the box- and enhanced competencies. A life devoted to government service, while ultimately rewarding, calls one to accept the limitations and challenges the profession entails, including that of the reality of diminishing ‘psychic’ returns derived from the job. In the long run, the everyday drudgery and tediousness of work take its toll on even the most steadfast of commitments and the most creative mind. The Career Executive Officers, enables public managers to literally “leap” over this roadblock which is designed to provide a dynamic learning environment that creates, shares and applies knowledge, skills, lessons, insights and experiences in leading an organization and in addressing governance problems.
Our Agency Auditor was made to explain by their higher authorities why for almost three (3) years, he has not made any negative findings from NSO, but he argued that instead of reprimanding him, he should be commended because he has successful in educating us on how to spend the money accordingly. For BFP heroism will not only be displayed if there is fire but on how to avoid fire. The group of Dr. Aladano who give lectures to the Building Officials coming from different cities and municipalities of Mindanao on the proper procedure in implementing the fire code last October is the best example of display of heroism in avoiding fire.
Your agencies does not only require a courageous men and women to face eventualities but it also requires kind of passion and motivation needed to face the challenges which you face every now and then. There are lots of heroes among your- silent heroes a that. Hence, My salute to you all.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.
Andres Bonifacio College Founding Anniversary on
December 30, 2008
My Respect to President Sancho Amatong of this College, My dear Teachers, My Fellow Alumni, my Friends, Good Afternoon.
There is no amount of words to express my nostalgic feeling this time, standing before you my former teachers, my classmates and school mates. Truly indeed, my greatest honor to speak before this distinguished audience and looking at these wonderful innovations introduced in my dea alma mater.
I am surprise to see the new buildings inside the campus. I thought its all the same when I left the College 20 years ago because the improvements are not visible if you will not get inside.
I will always remember those days I have seen and experienced more than 20 yearsFor who would forget the late Tiya Edad Amatong whom my late mother Antonia will approach almost every examination day requesting that I will be allowed to take the examination with that promissory note. Who would forget the late Jobo Amatong whom we will approached whenever we need something even for his signature for another promissory note. Who would forget Atty Ernesto Amatong, the then President of ABC who will sometimes set down with us at the benches asking the meaning of Prima Facie Evidence? This and many more nostalgic events in my life here at ABC.
Yes, I am not here to talk about my unforgettable moments but on the life of Andres Bonifacio.
MESSAGE C/MCRs REGIONAL CONFERENCE
Pines Hotel, Bukidnon Province
February 28-29, 2008Today is a very important day for the Civil Registrars and NSO since it is supposed to be the culmination Civil Registration Month with its theme “ Tamang Rehistro Daan sa Kinabukasan Mo”.It is indeed a very simple theme- since it focused on Tamang Rehistro—but why give emphasis on Tamang Rehistro when we have been doing this work for quite some time and how to make it a Daan sa Kinabusan Mo?Gipasabot ba nga dili eksakto ang ato nga ginahimo nga pagrehistro busa dili makab-ot ang maayong kaugmaon sa atong mga igsoon nga nagkinahanglan sa ato nga servicio.
My fellow workers in civil registration, before we will address that issue, please allow me first to tell you my experience last Tuesday night while I was having dinner in one of the restaurants in Cagayan de Oro City. After our dinner one of the Waitresses came to me with reddish eyes. I was apprehensive when she approached me I was thinking she has sore eye or pisokot. But when she started talking to me sa tingog nga medyo nagkurog, naluoy ko so I listened. She told me that her husband who is a Chemical Engineer is now in Manila kay nakadawat siya response sa iya gi aplayan og trabaho sa Singapore. He was hired as Assistant Chemist in one of the plastic company with a salary of 1,200 singaporean dollae. And the news was that palargahon dayon siya after 15 days and that is supposed to be on March 5.. Nalipay daw kayo iya husband og nagtawag dayon siya sa iya asawa.So wala na siya mopauli og nag prepare na siya papers sa Manila like NBI clearance or passport. When he went to NSO to get his Birth Certificate ang migula sa Security paper is Alberto Rodrigue(s) apan ang iya gidalaAlberto Rodriguez. The problem is when he ask what to do, he was informed to file a petition for correction of spelling. When he asked how long is the process he was told that at least 30 days daw. Nadismaya intawon ang Bana. When he called his wife, he was crying kay nawala man ang mahayag unta nila nga kaugmaon gumikan lang sa usa ka simply nga sayop sa ato buhatan.In fact I tried to help her kay taga Sindangan ra ba intawon ang maong biktima og taga Dipolog baya pud ko.
So the issue is how to make registration Tama?
Do not rely so much in your Clerk kay basin naka mind set siya nga kon unsa iya nasa mind mao pud iya isulat- like that Rodriguez to Rodrigues.
Every now and then please make a simple briefing to your staff about new procedures and latest issuances about civil registration.
If possible give them the opportunity to attend some training and seminars about civil registration.
My friends, Administrator is supposed to give the Message but since she is not her hence I am do her part. But the topic assigned to me by our President Lacbain is “ NSOs Issues and Concern”. Hence, please allow me to give our concern which are as follow:
We are concerned on the money that have been in the possession of our Cashier for more than a year now. That is supposed to be made as a capital for the Cooperative that we planned to put up.Naglubog ra ang cuarta sa vault ni Mrs. Padayhag og sayang kay wala mag earned og interest. In fact some quarters are proposing nga bahinbahinon na lang daw sa mga LCRs but I am against with the idea kay grabeh kalisod ang ato giagian before naabot nato nga maong curta. Bali ka daghan criticism nadawat nato ana labi nga ang NSO kay kuno nangkuwarta apan wala lang sila masayod nga duna ta noble nga tinguha. Busa we have to decide about that money today.
About sa awarding sa mga civil registrars. Sa pagkatinood ako nasayod nga kon tinuoron gyod nato basin hapit tanan awardee coming from Region 10. Ang problem lang gud nato mao nga usahay kapoyan ta maghimo og reports sa ato nga mga activities. Ang mao nga reports mao ang basihan during the deliberation sa awarding. Busa mao man gain nga Nia si Engr. Apellado mag present karon unsaon nga simply lang ang pag prepare sa Narrative Report. Bisan usa lang ka page, tama. Na guilty man gud ang NSO Region kay for 16 years sige mi maka topnocher sa awarding dayon kamo amo partners only very few maka award. Pareha man gud na sa nagsakay ta og barko og nalunod apan kami ra ang nagbuhi-buhi nga malibre.
Also about the issue that the duty of civil registrar is purely Ministerial in which I want to prove these people wrong. First unsa man ang meaning sa Ministerial Duty as embodied in the Administrative of 1978? It says a duty is Ministerial where its discharge by the officer concerned is imperative and requires neither judgment nor discretion in his part.
Meanwhile, the operative act of Civil Registration . Rule 9 of AO No.1 ,Series of 1993 states:
The Civil Registrar shall see to it that a) appropriate form is used, b) form is properly and completely filled up; c) antries are correct; and d) proper attachments are submitted;
In case the entries are found incomplete or incorrect, the civil registrar shall require the person concerned to fill up the document completely or to correct the entries, as the case may be.
On the other hand, Under Memo Circular No.2001-92 issued by DILG Undersecretary Eduardo Soliman odated 26 July 2001 addressed to all Governors, City/Municipal Mayors, DILD Regional Directors and all others concerned, states” The need for permanent civil registrars has been reiterated with the enactment of RA 9048, which took effect 22 April 2001. That law expanded on the basic quasi-judicial duties and functions of the Civil Registrars as provided under par. C,Section 479 of RA 7160.
Another is about the vacancies of some positions in the Association. VP Mar of Jimenez was already of the service while Treasurer Ann has left us and now in the United States. So it is just necessary that we have to have fill up these officers or maybe the present officers need a new mandate, in which you will decide that today.
Another concern is the coming August 5-7, 2008 National Workshop of CR in Davao City. To be honest, I am hesitant to call a meeting of LCRs because of some feedback nga nanguarta na pud ang NSO. Of course this is not true to all cities/municipalities but nevertheless there are some who are critical of our having meetings with corresponding registration fee. Most especially is that some LGE considered Civil Registration as there last priority which is always not true.These work is noble and in fact all people must have Birth certificate but not all people need drivers license, or passport or other kinds of credentials. It is just a matter of Raising a Bar of our significance. We should make ourselves Significant in the locality like most of you are doing by creating a demand if the demand is not there. Philhealth for instance, BCRS, Mass Wedding and making the Mayors and Councilors as sponsors, etc.Or maybe present to the Sanggunian your income from office. In fact it this reason that Ms Alma will be presenting a paper today on how to make us Significant and that our presence will make a difference in the city or municipality.
Perhaps, I have already said a lot but just allow me to end this message by giving you this story since it is our Civil Registration anniversary. Actually 77 years na an CR since it approved Feb. 27, 1931. There was this couple celebrating their 77 wedding anniversary. There reminishes their younger days. They went to a movie, then having fine dining, then check-in sa fine hotel. Next morning gidala ang husband sa hospital on complaint of severe stomach ache. The findings of the Doctor is na-impacho kay naka inom gatas nga pan-os.
Thank you and God Bless Us All.
