(Eagle News Service) – The heads of state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) led by President Rodrigo Duterte formally signed the declaration on the role of the civil service as a catalyst to achieve the regional bloc’s 2025 vision on Saturday.
The declaration–signed at the Philippine International Convention Center—underscores the significance of the civil service as the backbone of good governance in the region, and its role for an enhanced cross-sectoral cooperation in ASEAN community building.
It provides support for further regional integration, and the contribution of the civil service in the attainment of the sustainable development goals through continuing initiatives to higher standards of professionalism, efficiency, effectiveness, participatory approach, responsiveness, transparency and accountability of civil service.
In a press statement, Civil Service Commission Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala said the declaration places a premium on the role of civil service in supporting the people-oriented, people-centered ASEAN under the Philippine chairmanship of ASEAN 2017.
The declaration also commits the ASEAN member-states to promote cooperation in the development and the implementation of capacity building programs; sharing of best practices in critical areas of concern, such as environment promotion, climate change, disaster management, health, gender equality.
It envisions to raise the professional standards and capability of civil servants as well as their protective welfare, especially those who are performing critical roles during disasters and other hazardous situations.
The declaration on the role of the civil service also encourages the strengthening of alliance building, partnership with the the ASEAN member-states as well as with ASEAN dialogue partners, regional and multilateral organizations, the civil society, private sector and other stakeholders.
Chair Bala disclosed that the ASEAN heads of civil service will be meeting in November to exchange views and draw up concrete action plans to implement the declaration.
-Caesar Vallejos