WV HR practitioners converge in Boracay; urged to be orgs’ tacticians, collaborators

By Niño Manaog

Extension Associate

Capiz State University

On Aug. 14–16, 2013, a total of 420 human resource (HR) managers and personnel of local government units (LGUs), government-owned and/or controlled corporations (GOCCs), national government agencies (NGAs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs) across Western Visayas came together for the 4th Human Resource Management Practitioners Regional Congress at the Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center in Yapak, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan.

The Malay Ati Choir was one of the numbers that opened the congress.

Spearheaded by the Regional Council of Human Resource Management Practitioners - Western Visayas led by its president, Mr. Johnny Dariagan and anchored on the theme HRMPs: Catalysts in Enhancing Competencies of Human Resources toward Good Governance, the congress featured one keynote speech and two success stories in best practices and good governance.

Dir. Martinez

In his keynote speech, Commissioner Robert S. Martinez of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) urged the participants to be both tacticians and collaborators of their own organizations. Citing Singapore as perhaps the least corrupt Asian country owing to its transparency and performance in “successfully delivering public goods,” Martinez encouraged HR managers and personnel to look at each of their roles as an immense “responsibility” even as they need to “renew their sense of mission.”  Martinez also highlighted the importance of strategy and collaboration to produce and improve the quality of HRs and “enhanced better services delivery.” For Martinez, “developing people” is one of the foremost roles of the HR division.

The opening program featured Gov. Jorge “ER” Ejercito Estregan of the province of Laguna,  2011 Presidential Lingkod Bayan awardee for outstanding performance in local governance, who shared his best practices and achievements for the said province.

Gov. Ejercito

Bringing with him the heads of the province of Laguna, Ejercito presented his cutting-edge innovations and programs in administration and governance, infrastructure, basic social services and tourism, among others, which all helped to improve the local government he has served—first as three-term mayor of Pagsanjan from 2003 to 2010, and then as governor of Laguna from 2010 to date.

Dr. Magallanes

In the second day, the congress featured Dr. Editha L. Magallanes, SUC President III of the Capiz State University (CapSU), awarded the Dangal ng Bayan by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in 2012. Among others, Magallanes took pride in CapSU’s best practices, citing that upgrading the human resource (HR) of the institution is virtually enhancing the organization itself. According to Magallanes, this and other practices have helped propel the continuous growth of the sole state university in the province of Capiz.

Hosted by the Aklan Council of Human Resource Management Practitioners led by Ms. Ma Cynthia Aranas, the congress concluded with group dynamics activities which helped identify the issues and concerns of the HR managers across Western Visayas.

The congress was fully supported by the CSC Region 6 headed by Dir. Rodolfo Encajonado and graciously hosted by the Aklan Council of Human Resource Management Practitioners headed by its president, Ma. Cecile Ignacio of Kalibo Water District.

Capiz delegates relish the last moments of the congress.