#Publicserviceinitiatives

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Canada Celebrates National Public Service Week

Prime Minister Trudeau Honors Public Servants' Dedication, Highlighting Their Vital Role in Building a Fairer, Safer, and More Prosperous Canada National Public Service Week is a time to honor the dedication and hard work of Canada's public servants. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau marked the occasion by issuing a heartfelt statement recognizing their invaluable contributions to the nation. This annual celebration underscores the essential role that public servants play in shaping Canada's future.  

Recognizing Public Servants' Contributions

Prime Minister Trudeau's statement highlighted the diverse responsibilities that public servants undertake, from developing policies to rolling out critical programs.   "Today, I join Canadians across the country in marking the beginning of National Public Service Week. This is an opportunity to recognize the invaluable role of Canada’s public service and its workforce in building a country that is fairer, safer, and more prosperous for everyone," said Trudeau.   Public servants are at the forefront of addressing Canadians' top priorities. Their efforts range from creating policies to improve housing availability and healthcare to providing essential services that support Canadians in their daily lives. The Prime Minister emphasized that the country's progress and well-being are largely due to the dedication and expertise of its public service.   Advancing Workplace Wellness and Inclusion The Canadian government is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for public servants. Initiatives like the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service are pivotal in this regard. The government has also made significant investments to enhance workplace wellness and accessibility.   In his statement, Trudeau acknowledged these efforts, saying, "Our public service is taking leadership to drive progress, advance renewed conversations on values and ethics, and create environments where employees always feel valued and respected. This work builds on our ongoing efforts to improve workplace wellness and accessibility, as well as encourage greater diversity and inclusion."  

Acknowledging Ongoing Challenges

Despite the recognition and celebration, National Public Service Week also brings attention to the challenges faced by public servants. Issues such as the Phoenix pay system debacle, the problematic transition to Canada Life for public service health benefits, recent strikes, and return-to-office mandates have affected morale and trust. The Association of Canadian Executive Employees (ACEE) has called for a boycott of employer-led National Public Service Week activities this year. Public servants are encouraged to celebrate the week through grassroots initiatives, such as sharing stories of outstanding colleagues and participating in advocacy campaigns.   Celebrating Achievements and Looking Forward National Public Service Week is not just about acknowledging the past and present contributions of public servants but also about looking forward to the future. Prime Minister Trudeau's statement serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to build a public service that reflects Canada's diversity and continues to meet the nation's evolving needs. "On behalf of the Government of Canada, to our federal public servants: I thank each and every one of you for your dedication and expertise. It’s because of your service that we can keep working to make Canada even better," Trudeau concluded.  

The Core Values of the Public Service

The statement also reaffirmed the core values that guide the Public Service of Canada: - Respect for Democracy: Upholding Canadian parliamentary democracy and its institutions by acting in a non-partisan and impartial manner. - Respect for People: Treating all individuals with respect, dignity, and fairness. - Integrity: Maintaining the highest ethical standards to conserve public confidence in honesty, fairness, and impartiality. - Stewardship: Responsibly using and caring for public resources for both the short and long term. - Excellence: Striving for excellence in policy, program, and service delivery for the benefit of Canadians.   Activities and Participation Despite the call for a boycott, various activities are planned to celebrate National Public Service Week. Public servants are encouraged to share stories of their peers' dedication and engage in advocacy efforts. While participation in employer-organized events may be low, these personal and community-driven initiatives highlight the true spirit of public service.   To Sum Up National Public Service Week is a vital opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Canada's public servants. Through their dedication and hard work, they continue to make significant strides in building a fairer, safer, and more prosperous nation. Prime Minister Trudeau's statement not only honors their efforts but also reaffirms the government's commitment to supporting and enhancing the public service for the benefit of all Canadians.   Sources: THX News & The Canadian Government.   Read the full article

[thxnews]

All Saints' Day Break: Philippines Government Arrangement

  A Reprieve for Government Employees

All Saints Day Break Philippines The Office of the President (OP) issued a memorandum circular on Friday, granting government employees the opportunity to observe All Saints' Day on November 1, 2023, with a unique arrangement.   Work from Home and Asynchronous Classes Memorandum Circular No. 38, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, formally announced a work-from-home arrangement for government employees and asynchronous classes for public schools on Tuesday, October 31. This proactive measure enables civil servants to properly commemorate the occasion, facilitating their travel to various regions across the country.  

Exception for Essential Services

While the circular extends flexibility to government employees, Executive Secretary Bersamin clarified that agencies responsible for delivering basic and health services, disaster response, and other vital functions must maintain their usual in-person operations to provide necessary services.   Private Sector's Discretion Additionally, the memorandum recognizes that private companies and private schools have the discretion in deciding whether to implement a similar arrangement for work and classes.  

Philippines Public Servants and the Presidency

Positive Relations in Recent Years Over the past two years, the relationship between Philippines public servants and the Office of the President has generally been positive. President Marcos Jr. has prioritized building constructive relationships with public servants and has appointed qualified and experienced individuals to key positions within his cabinet.   Concerns Over Transparency and Accountability However, this positive dynamic has not been without its challenges. Concerns have arisen regarding the Marcos Jr. administration's commitment to transparency and accountability in its actions and decision-making processes.  

Collaboration in Budget Allocation

A crucial area of collaboration between public servants and the Office of the President lies in the allocation of the government's budget. The Office of the President is responsible for distributing budgetary resources to various government agencies and programs, while public servants play a pivotal role in executing the budget and delivering essential services to the Filipino people.  

Policy Development and Implementation

Another significant sphere of cooperation involves the formulation and implementation of government policies. The Office of the President is tasked with creating and shaping policies, while public servants bear the responsibility of putting them into practice and ensuring they benefit the public.  

Balancing Positivity and Accountability

In summary, the relationship between Philippines public servants and the Office of the President has shown positive developments in recent years. Yet, despite these positive developments, concerns persist regarding the administration's commitment to transparency and accountability. This situation underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing positive collaboration with the need for robust oversight.   Sources: THX News & Philippine Information Agency. Read the full article