Manila:The University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG) Dean Kristoffer Berse has called for the government to evaluate public servants based on their competencies in addition to their credentials to tackle job mismatches and vacancies, thereby enhancing service delivery.
According to Philippines News Agency, Berse emphasized the need for a competency-based human resource management system during his speech at the Civil Service Commission's (CSC) BANYUHAY National Public Service Summit. This system would align recruitment, training, promotion, and performance evaluation with actual job requirements.
Berse highlighted the need to update the revised Qualification Standards (QS) Manual from 1997 to reflect the current demands of government work, including the need for expertise in data analytics, artificial intelligence, and strategic foresight. He noted that the present QS do not consider the work realities of today and need revision to anticipate future needs.
He pointed out that as of June 30, 2026, there were 224,999 vacant plantilla positions in the government, with significant vacancies in both national and local government units. Berse advocated for the transition to a competency-based HRM framework to meet evolving public service demands and emphasized the importance of digitalization in requiring new skills and changing approaches to government work.
The CSC and UP NCPAG are engaged in a project to develop new qualification standards, aiming to review existing standards, identify emerging competency requirements, and establish a system for periodic updates. This initiative seeks to address the challenges in attracting and retaining skilled personnel by defining essential competencies and utilizing measurable indicators for employee evaluation.
Berse also called for reforms extending beyond hiring, including employee development, recognition, succession planning, and performance management, with a focus on collaboration between the government and educational institutions preparing future public servants. The summit gathered government leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss civil service transformation through various innovative and reformative approaches.
