ILOILO City – “We should not only make public service a career. We should go beyond making public service as a career.”
This was the essence of the keynote speech of Civil Service Commission (CSC) Region 6 director Nelson Sarmiento during the celebration of the 125th Philippine Independence Day at the Plaza Libertad here yesterday.
Sarmiento stressed that the freedom fought for by our forefathers that everyone is enjoying now comes with lots of challenges.
“Subong siguro, iba nga freedom ang aton dapat tan-awon and a lot of things which bother us which affect our daily lives are really challenges of freedom, such as freedom against poverty, freedom against the effect of global warming,” said Sarmiento.
He stressed the role of public servants in these dealings is very crucial.
“Ang aton subong mission sa Civil Service Commission gawing lingkod bayani ang bawat kawani. Indi na kinanglan nga magdala kita sang armas, indi na kinanglan nga isakripisyo ta ang lawas ta para mangin baganihan,” said Sarmiento.
He added that the challenge now is “how do we become servant heroes. And in fact that should be the core of our existence. For being in the public service, there is only one reason for all of us why we are here and that is to deliver the kind of public service we are all mandated to do.”
The CSC regional director emphasized that giving justice to what our heroes fought for is the real honor, service and justice that everyone can offer to them.
“We, as public servants, can make a difference in the way we exercise our true freedom and to help find a new dimension of loving our country,” he added.
He further said that the 125th Independence Day celebration should be a high time to reflect on how we can strengthen and further address the seeming and enduring problem of the country.
“As public servants kahit wala sang may nagatan-aw, we should be guided in doing the right things always,” he stressed.
He added, “The challenge is we should not only make public service as a career, we should go beyond making public service as a career. We should be able to make a difference in the lives of our people. We start from ourselves and we start from making how can we further improve the way we deliver the kind of service that we should deliver to one another,” he added.
For his part, Police Regional Office 6 acting regional director, Police Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, who also served as keynote speaker during the city’s Independence Day celebration, stressed that the celebration is not merely a date on a calendar but a symbol of the Filipinos’ collective will and resilience as a nation.
He said it is a reminder of the countless men and women who dedicated their lives to securing Filipino’s freedom and preserving democratic values.
“Independence is not just a one-time event. It is an ongoing journey that requires constant vigilance and active participation from each one of us. Our freedom is not a privilege bestowed upon us; it is a responsibility we must uphold and cherish. It is our duty to protect and nurture the principles of justice, equality and freedom that the Philippines was built upon,” he said.
He also echoed that while looking forward to the future, the challenges that confront the country today should be forgotten. He cited that challenges such as poverty, inequality, proliferation of fake news, incompetence in public service, climate change, and other pressing issues demand immediate action.
“Let us address these challenges with determination, empathy, and sense of urgency. Together, we can create a society that is not only prosperous but also compassionate where no one is left behind,” Villaflor added./PN
