THE Civil Service Commission (CSC), through its 2016 Anti-Red Tape Act (Arta) Report Card Survey (RCS), has given the City Government of Bago an "excellent" grade in terms of the public's perception on the quality, efficiency, and adequacy of services it provides.
Cadiz City, on the other hand, was given a descriptive rating of "failed" by the agency, based on the results of its latest RCS released Monday.
Bago City is the only local government unit (LGU) in Negros Occidental included in the 140 agencies, sectors, and institutions in the country that received the highest ratings.
The figure comprised only 12.62 percent of the total 1,109 government service offices surveyed by the CSC from March to December last year.
CSC, in its website, said the RCS measures the service offices' compliance with the provisions of Arta such as posting of the Citizen's Charter, anti-fixer initiatives, wearing of ID or having nameplates for service providers, having Public Assistance and Complaints Desk, and observance of "No Noon Break" policy.
It also determines overall client satisfaction in terms of overall service quality of the agency, and perception on physical setup and basic facilities of the office, the agency said.
Selection of target agencies was based on high-density transactions and number of complaints or feedback received. Focus was also given to local government units and agencies providing social services, it added.
Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo Tuesday said the "excellent" rating given by the CSC is a testament to the dedication and hardwork of the city government employees.
Yulo said the credit belongs to all City Hall workers, from the utility workers up to the department heads, who are continuing their tasks of addressing the needs of the people.
"We are deeply honored and humbled by this rating which will further inspire us to do more for our people," he said, adding that "it is the fulfillment of seeing our clientele served to their satisfaction that motivates us."
Cadiz City Mayor Patrick Escalante, meanwhile, said they are not yet aware of the CSC report that gave them the lowest rating.
Escalante, however, said that regardless of the agency's survey results, the city government is strictly implementing Republic Act 9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.
"We have the mandate to always provide efficient delivery of services to our constituents by ensuring that there are no under-the-table transactions within the City Hall," he said, adding that "if there is a need to further improve, we will work for it."
Aside from Bago City, CSC graded Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Sipalay Branch, Silay City Water District, Victorias City Water District, and Himamaylan City Water District as "excellent."
The cities of Bacolod, Kabankalan and Sagay and towns of E.B. Magalona, Binalbagan and Hinigaran were given "good" ratings.
The same quantitative measure of public's perception was given to LBP-Cadiz City Branch and water districts in cities of Cadiz, Bago, Talisay, Bacolod, Kabankalan, La Carlota and Sagay, and in Binalbagan town.
Himamaylan City and Carlos Hilado Memorial State College-Main Campus in Bacolod City, on the other hand, obtained "acceptable" ratings.
All in all, majority, 739 or 66.64 percent, of the government service offices surveyed obtained a median rating of "good."
The remaining 15 offices, or 1.35 percent were "outstanding"; 87 offices, or 7.84 percent were "acceptable"; and 127 offices, or 11.45 percent failed the RCS.
Of the 1,109 service offices, 597 include first to sixth class cities and municipalities, 213 local water districts, 53 state universities and colleges, and 100 LBP branches.