The Philippine Civil Service Commission (CSC) has cited the local government of Mabalacat City for its frontline services that “immensely contributed to the fight against COVID-19”.

Mabalacat City is among the 10 cities from Central Luzon that have been awarded during the virtual Appreciation Program for Frontline Government Workers held on September 27, 2021 hosted by the CSC.

“Ang pagkilala po na gaya nito ay tunay pong nakakapawi ng pagod at hirap na dala ng pandemyang ito. Iniaalay po ng pamahalaang lungsod ang gantimpalang ito sa ating mga kabalen sa Mabalacat lalo na sa ating mga frontline health care workers na bagamat hapo na rin ay pinipili pa rin ang magsilbi para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan,” said Mayor Garbo.

It is under Mayor Garbo’s helm that the Executive Order 104 was signed which created the Mabalacat City COVID-19 Response Integrated System (CRIS) to mobilize a well-defined local government framework that will focus on the prevention, contact tracing, isolation and reintegration of residents of Mabalacat City.

Aside from CRIS, Mayor Garbo established a city-run isolation and vaccine storage facility while intensifying the city’s immunization program against COVID-19 through the launch of an online registration system, as well as the activation of all rural health units and the establishment of vaccination hubs scattered across the city.

Garbo, who is also a health care professional, formed the Mabalacat City’s compendium of Vaccination Programs for healthcare workers, senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, OFWs, economic frontliners (BPOs, small-medium scale businesses, and tourism), transportation sector, and the general public.

The mayor has also established partnerships with SM City Clark, Clark Development Corporation (CDC), non-government organizations, and private companies to expand the city’s vaccination coverage to achieve herd immunity.
As of September 21, 2021, the Mabalacat City Government has inoculated more than 210,000 Mabalaqueños against the dreaded virus.

Meanwhile, various government agencies and health care facilities were also given fitting recognitions during the virtual ceremonies. In her message, CSC Commissioner Alicia Dela Rosa-Bala said that the appreciation program is part of the nationwide celebration of the 121st Philippine Civil Service Anniversary.

“We celebrate the anniversary to commemorate the establishment of the Philippine Civil Service by virtue of Public Act No. 5 on 19 September 1900. September is a special month because it is the anniversary of the whole civil service,” said CSC Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala.

“We are also celebrating the achievements of government workers who continue to serve despite our challenging situation. We salute you and thank you for your commitment to duty and sacrifice,” the CSC commissioner added.
The celebration dubbed, “Transforming Public Service in the Next Decade: Honing Agile and Future-Ready Servant Heroes”, is a fete to the strides made by the CSC towards strategic reforms that propelled public service in the new normal.