Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3459

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative WOWO FORTES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160) has created
mandatory and optional offices and positions in the provinces, cities, and
municipalities, and given their respective duties and functions. The occupants of the
said positions are expected to assist the Local Chief Executives (LCEs) in running the
affairs of the local government units (LGUs)

Noteworthy to point out, however, is the absence of a Human Resource
Management Officer (HRM Officer) and General Services Officer (GS Officer)
positions in RA 7160.

Considering that LGU personnel is the “frontline” contact between government
and the public and that human resources is our most important resource, an office
should be created in each of every LGU to take care of recruitment, career
development, rewards and incentives, performance management, discipline
employee relations and the whole gamut of HRM. Meanwhile, the General Services
Office (GSO) plays one of the vital roles in the local government as it provides diverse
range of routine general services such as, but not limited to: 1) supply and
procurement works, 2) building and ground maintenance, 3) inventory of government
property and vehicles and 4) other duties and functions as may be prescribed by the
Local Government Code

It is imperative to have a GSO in an LGU for the acceleration of the delivery of
its services by smoothing out the congestion in the bureaucracy and ensuring the
uniformity of general services management of the local govemment unit. Along with
this, is the importance of the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) in the
delivery of public service. in order to perform the mandate of every office in the LGU
it is important that competent and credible employees or officials are placed in the
different positions in the plantilla of the LGUs. The hiring of employees or officials to
fill important positions should not be thought of as a trial and error process. Itis in the
best interest of the LGU and of public service, both financially and organizationally. to
get the right individuals for the different positions.

In order to deliver efficient and effective service to the public, it is highly
proposed that HRMO and GSO be created in all local government units.


On behaif of the peopie of the Second District of Sorsogon and for the common
good of the people, approval of this bill is earnestly sought

é
ATTY. WOVAO\FORTES
Reprebbniptive

Second District, Pyopinte of Sorsogon


Nineteenth Congress of the
Republic of the Philippines
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

3459

H. B. No.

introduced by Representative WOWO FORTES

AN ACT CREATING THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICE AND
GENERAL SERVICES OFFICE IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, AND
DEFINING THEIR FUNCTIONS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in the
Congress assembled.

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as “An Act Creating the Human
Resource Management Office (HRMO) and General Services Office (GSO) in the
Local Government Units (LGUs).”

SEC. 2. Creation. - The HRMO and GSO are hereby created as mandatory
offices in the province, city, and in the first to third-class municipalities, For the fourth
to sixth-class municipalities, the creation of the office is optional but the creation of the
Human Resource Management Officer (HRM Officer) and General Services Officer
(GS Officer) position shall be mandatory. The HRMO and GSO shall be headed by the
HRM Officer and GS Officer, respectively, with the rank of a Department Head. The
HRMO and GSO or the position of HRM Officer and GS Officer shall be created within
‘one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act.

The creation of the HRM Officer and GS Officer in the fourth to sixth class
municipalities shall be exempted from the budget ceiling on personnel services.

SEC. 3. Qualifications. Powers, and Duties of HRM Officer —

(a) No person shall be appointed Department Head of the HRMO unless he/she
is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the iocal government unit concerned, of
good moral character, a holder of a college degree preferably in psychology, public
administration or law, and a first-grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He/She
must have acquired experience in human resource management or organization
development for at least five (5) years in the case of the province or city, and three (3)
years in the case of the municipality, and have undergone a certification program for
HRMO to be conducted by the Civil Service Commission


(b) The HRM Officer shall take charge of the HRMO and. shall

1. Formulate a human resource development plan that will enhance
personnel management processes in the local govemment unit
concerned with emphasis in the areas of recruitment and selection
career development, performance management, welfare, rewards, and
incentives for service excellence, for the approval of the Local Chief
Executive (LCE);

2. institutionalize a centralized record of human resource documents such
as appointments, personal data sheets, service records, statement of
assets and liabilities, leave credits, and other pertinent personnel
records

3. Conduct continuing human resource development programs, and other
capacity-building interventions to enhance the competency of
employees and officials;

4, Monitor and evaluate the implementation of performance management
systems in the local government unit concerned in accordance with Civil
Service rules and regulations

5. Advise the governor or the mayor, as the case may be, and the
sanggunian on matters pertaining to Civil Service rules and regulations
on recruitment, selection and placement (RSP), learning and
development (L&D), performance management (PM) and rewards and
recognition (R&R) and other HR policies such as leave benefits
employee welfare and discipline

Ensure that Civil Service Law and rules on personnel matters are

properly executed:

7. Establish linkages/partnership with HR organizations and other LGUs:
and

»

(c) Exercise such other powers and perform such other functions and duties as
may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

SEC. 4. Qualifications, Powers, and Duties of GS Officer. -

(a) No person shall be appointed general services officer unless he is a citizen
of the Philippines, a resident of the local government unit concerned, of good moral
character, a holder of a college degree on public administration, business
administration and management from a recognized college or university, and a first-
grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He must have acquired experience in
general services, including management of supply, property, solid waste disposal, and
general sanitation of at least five (5) years in the case of the provincial or city general
services officer, and at least three (3) years in the case of the municipal general
services officer.

(b) The GS Officer shall take charge of the GSO and shalt:
1, Formulate measures for the consideration of the Sanggunian and

provide technical assistance and support to the LCE in carrying out
measures to ensure the basic services and provision of adequate


facilities pursuant to Section 17 of the Local Government Code of 1991
which general services expertise and technical support services;

2. Develop plans and strategies and upon approval thereof by the Local
Chief Executive implement the same, particularly those which have to
do with the general services supportive of the welfare of their
constituents;

3. Take custody of and be accountable for all properties, real properties,
real or personal, owned by the local government unit and those granted
to it in the form of donation, reparation, assistance and counterpart of
joint projects;

4, Assign building or land space to local officials or other public officials,
who by law, are entitled to such space, with the approval of LCE;

5. Recommend to the LCE, as the case may be, the reasonable rental rates
for local government properties, whether real or personal, which will be
leased to public or private entities by the local government;

6. Perform archival and record management with respect to records of
offices and departments of the LGU; and

7. Perform all other functions pertaining to supply and property
management hereto performed by the local government treasurer and
enforce policies on records, creation, maintenance and disposal

(c) Exercise such other powers and perform such other functions and duties as
may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The position of Department Heads for HRMO and
GSO shall be included in the plantilla of personnel in the LGU concerned approved by
the appropriate body. The appropriation or budget item number of the position shall
be approved by the Sanggunian concemed,

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force
and effect

SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,