PENRO South Cotabato Oath Taking

 Some newly appointed and promoted employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-South Cotabato formally took their oath of office in simple rites held on June 1, 2016 at FB Hotel, Koronadal City.

The much-awaited event was held following the issuance of appointments last March 21 in line with the implementation of the Rationalization Plan under Executive Order No. 366.

In his opening remarks, Engr. Mama G. Samaon, DENR-South Cotabato Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO), emphasized the significance of the event. Samaon said the oath-taking is a renewal of commitment or a reaffirmation of the mandate of the employees to uphold environmental laws and defend the Constitution of the Republic.

“We (appointees) are all obliged to take our oath (of office) to strengthen our individual commitments in the delivery of quality public service,” PENRO Samaon said.

The oath-taking was administered by DENR XII Regional Director Datu Tungko M. Saikol who said that the oath-taking is a renewal of one’s vow to the Republic. “That’s the essence of having an oath-taking; you will be reminded of your duty to our government.” Nevertheless, Saikol reminded everyone that an appointment is not a guarantee of one’s stay in government service. “It’s not an assurance that if you are appointed you can no longer be removed because under certain grounds you can be separated from the service.”

 The Regional Director also expressed the hardship he encountered as member/end-user of the Central Office-based Special Selection and Promotion Board for Region XII. “Personally, I experienced sleepless nights during the deliberations.” He noted how hard for them to select the right person for every position because of the stiff competition among applicants. “At the same time, we were faced with the problem of having to finish everything before the election ban on March 25, 2016.” Based on COMELEC Resolution No. 10030, no head or appointing officer of any national and local government office shall promote, appoint or hire new personnel from March 25 to May 08, 2016.

 “It was really a challenge for the DENR top management to cope with the election ban but our faith was very strong that you will be appointed before the election ban. Fortunately we were able to make it,” Saikol said.

 Assistant Regional Director for Management Services Muripaga T. Umpar also challenged the newly sworn-in employees based on the premise of the British historian Lord Acton who said: “All power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Umpar said that under the new administration, President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte promised to minimize, if not totally eliminate, corruption in the government within six months  from assumption of duty

 “This is the challenge for all of us: we must put a stop to corruption.” “It is easy to say but hard to do, but if you have the commitment as you have sworn before us, there is no reason that you cannot be soldiers of the environment and natural resources,” Umpar said.

 Of the total 447 individuals extended original appointments or promotions region wide, 63 of them belong to the DENR in South Cotabato broken down as follows: Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), Koronadal City - 16; CENRO-Banga - 29; and CENRO-General Santos City - 18. (VR Firmalino/MCLocsin)

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Regional Director Datu Tungko M. Saikol administers the oath taking ceremony for some employees of DENR XII PENRO South Cotabato at FB Hotel, Koronadal City on June 1, 2016. The employees are either promoted or are appointed to a specific position in relation to the implementation of the DENR Rationalization Plan or Executive Order 366.