South Cotabato, Philippines – The Provincial Government of South Cotabato has made history as the first local government unit (LGU) in the province to be certified under the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management, more commonly known as PRIME HRM.
Freda Liza Gazo, Provincial Human Resource Management Officer, explained that PRIME HRM is designed to strengthen the professionalism and maturity of human resource practices in government.
“At Level 1, agencies are assessed only for compliance with CSC rules in four core area recruitment, performance management, learning and development, and rewards and recognition. But at Level 2, the evaluation is already evidence-based. Standards and operating procedures must be documented and approved by the CSC,” Gazo said.
The Provincial Government of South Cotabato presented these systems and manuals, supported by automation processes that speed up recruitment and appointments. For instance, once the governor signs an appointment, it automatically takes effect after submission and validation, unlike in Level 1 where additional CSC review was still required.
“This achievement is not just for the PHRMO but for the entire provincial government. It shows our commitment to merit and fitness in appointments and to continuously improving employee development,” Gazo emphasized.
The province is now setting its sights higher. By 2028, Provincial Government of South Cotabato hopes to reach PRIME HRM Level 4 the highest level, where all HR systems are fully integrated and automated. To get there, the province must first qualify for Level 3, which focuses on the integration of all four HR core areas.
Gazo credited mentors and the Civil Service Commission for guiding the office through the process.
“We have requested their assistance and undergone trainings to prepare our personnel. This journey is not easy, but with collaboration and dedication, we believe we can achieve Level 3 and eventually Level 4,” she said.
She also highlighted the importance of maintaining the integrity of appointments.
“PRIME HRM assesses the maturity level of an agency. It means the Civil Service has confidence that, on your own, you can implement systems properly. That is why every appointment must pass the standards of merit and qualification set by the CSC. In our case, we are proud that no appointments have been disapproved,” Gazo added.
With this milestone, Provincial Government of South Cotabato has set the bar for other LGUs in the province, proving that strong systems and accountable governance can pave the way for better public service.
