By Vir B. Lumicao
Many vacancies need to be filled up in the government
service back home and those who pass next Sunday’s civil service examination for
Hong Kong-based OFWs would be eligible to fill up those vacancies, an official
of the Civil Service Commission said.
Fernando Porio, director of the CSC’s Examination,
Recruitment & Placement Office, also said that the holding of the
first-ever exam for Filipinos in Hong Kong, is part of the government’s
reintegration plan for returning OFWs.
He said the CSC could also hold the exam in other countries
where there are OFWs, as long as the overseas posts concerned would make a
request
Close to 1,100 examinees will sit for the test this Sunday,
Nov 27, at the Delia Memorial School Hip Wo in Kwuntong. Of these, more than 100 are from Macau.
Those who pass the exam would be eligible to join government
agencies once they decide to return home.
Porio said the CSC is excited to hold the exam in Hong Kong as
it would mean helping Filipinos who would like to go home and enter government
service.
Porio arrived in Hong Kong with two assistants on Saturday,
Nov 19, for the orientation of the close to 80 volunteers who will act as
proctors and watchers. The rest of his eight-man team will arrive this Friday.
“There are a number of vacancies that need to be filled up
(in government offices),” Porio told The SUN during an interview at the Philippine
Overseas Labor Office.
“These are first- and second-level positions to be filled
up, some administrative, some clerical and professional positions. Marami,” he said.
Porio said the idea of holding the first ever civil service
exam in Hong Kong was meant to enable returning OFWs to work for the government.
This was reportedly communicated to CSC chair Alicia dela Rosa-Bala by Labor
Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
“They told us that
this is their (the government’s) intention and we support them. (Our) chairwoman,
in her formal reply to the secretary of labor and employment said we are fully
supportive whatever program the government has for the overseas Filipinos,”
Porio said.
He admitted that there are still many political appointees among
government employees, but said there certain standards used in vetting appointments.
“Hindi mawawala iyan (political influence)… But in any
position like heads of offices, meron naman ang CSC ng qualification standards
that all offices abide by,” he said.
