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Are you exempted from taking career service exam?

By Sally Atento-Altea


LEGAZPI CITY --- Certain laws and regulations provide eligibility for government service beyond just passing the traditional Civil Service Exam – Paper and Pencil Test.


According to Daisy Bragais, the director of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for Bicol, special eligibilities are awarded to qualified individuals who meet specific criteria, including the following basic qualifications:


1) Must be a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines;


2) At least 18 years of age at the time of application;


3) Must not have been found guilty of crime involving moral turpitude, immoral conduct, or dishonesty;


4) Must not have been found guilty of offenses related to civil service examinations; and


5) Must not have been dismissed from the service for cause.


Here are five eligibilities granted under special laws and CSC issuances.


1. Skills Eligibility – Category II (CSC MC 11)


Bragais said this eligibility is granted to individuals whose work performance is not measurable by written exams. Those who complete at least one year of very satisfactory work performance under temporary status can apply for this eligibility.


“We have the CSC Memorandum Circular 11 that grants eligibility to skilled workers. For example, a temporary worker in a skilled trade like carpentry can be eligible for permanent status after a year of proven actual work performance,” she said.


This may include plant electrician, automotive mechanic, heavy equipment operator, laboratory technician, shrine curator, carpenter, draftsman, plumber, and others.


2. Bar/Board Eligibility (RA 1080)


Under Republic Act 1080, individuals who pass the bar exams or licensure exams administered by the Supreme Court (SC) or the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) are automatically recognized as civil service eligible.


Bragais clarified that board exams for four-year degree courses are equivalent to second-level eligibility, while those for two-year courses correspond to first-level eligibility.


3. Barangay Official Eligibility (RA 7160)


Elected and appointed barangay officials who have completed at least one term of office are eligible for appointment to first-level positions in the career service.


This includes barangay captains, regular members of the Sangguniang Barangay, Sangguniang Kabataan chairmen, as well as appointed barangay treasurers and secretaries.


4. Honor Graduate Eligibility (PD 907)


Graduates who have earned honors—such as summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude—can apply for the Honor Graduate Eligibility (HGE), which is recognized for first and second-level government positions.


Under Presidential Decree (PD) No. 907, this eligibility is available to bachelor’s degree graduates, whether from conventional learning or Open Distance Learning (ODL), regardless of the time taken to complete the degree.


5. Sanggunian Member Eligibility (RA 10156)


Elected members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Panlungsod and Panlalawigan with at least six years of aggregated service are qualified for the grant of the Sanggunian Member Eligibility (SME).


Bragais explained that city or municipal councilors, as well as provincial board members, can avail of SME for first and second-level positions.


Members who have served for a combined total of nine years and hold a college degree qualify for second-level eligibility, while those who have served at least six years without completing their degree can still be granted first-level eligibility.


The CSC has a total of eleven eligibilities. For further information, visit your nearest CSC office or check the official CSC website at https://csc.gov.ph/special-eligibilities. (SAA/PIA5/Albay)

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