Source: http://www.gov.

ph/
Source Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Focus: Citizen Engagement
Country: Philippines
Created: May 25, 2009

The Department of Budget and Management has already approved the Rationalization Plan of
seven government agencies.

The seven agencies include the Office of the President, the Office of the Vice President, the
Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Budget and Management; Department of
Science and Technology; Department of Tourism and the Civil Service Commission.

The applications of the rest of the agencies are still pending at the Department of Budget
and Management for approval.

This was learned yesterday by the Philippine Information Agency after it made a call to the
DBM upon the request of the Department of Labor and Employment Region 8, the chairman of this
year's celebration of the 111th Philippine Independence Day celebration.

DOLE8 said that the agencies which have not yet rationalized have been ordered to temporarily
fill up vacant plantilla positions from among the displaced workers and their dependents
which are registered with DOLE.

The directive was contained in the Executive Order 782 signed by President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo in order institute measures to assist workers affected by the current financial
crisis.

The agencies have up to June 1 to submit the number of jobs that will be generated from each
one of them. This is to help minimize the impact of the current global financial crisis which
is already being felt through the retrenchment of workers.

The awarding of appointments and contracts is one of the highlights in this year's
Independence Day Celebration, DOLE 8 said.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
WHAT IS THE RATIONALIZATION PLAN (RAT PLAN)?
The Rationalization Program was mandated for government agencies in October 2004 through
Executive Order (EO) 366

The goal is to improve the quality and efficiency of government services

Offices will be reorganized to do this
HOW WILL THE RAT PLAN IMPACT THE ORGANIZATION?
The new structure is process-oriented, meaning, offices are there to perform
specific functions
Ex: BEE, BSE, and BALS have been reorganized to form the Bureau of Curriculum
Development and Bureau of Learning Delivery
The new structure also takes into account changes in the DepEds strategic
directions and technology (ICT, DRRM, etc.)
WHO ARE INCLUDED IN THE RAT PLAN?
Central Office
Regional Offices

Division office Proper

Casual and Contractual Employees funded under GAA-PS with appointment attested by CSC

NOT included: Schools, DepEd-ARMM, Attached Agencies, COS (GAA-MOOE),

and COS (foreign-funded)
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AFFECTED?
Affected means that their current position is not in the new structure OR there
are fewer items provided in the new structure
All affected employees are provided options, whether they want to remain in
government service or retire/be separated with benefits
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR AFFECTED EMPLOYEES?
Remain in government service
Express intent to be placed in a comparable position and go through the
placement process
If the employee is qualified, he/she may be placed in a comparable position within the same job
group with same Salary Grade (SG) or up to 3 SG levels higher

It means they might change their position or job title or office but will still be working for DepEd
using their skills/knowledge

Convert item to Co-Terminus with the Incumbent (CTI) status

CTI status is still a REGULAR plantilla item. Employees who choose CTI will retain their salary
grade and rank, and are still entitled to the government benefits attached to their position
(except for those given due to performance of specific functions i.e. RATA for the division chief)
It means they can choose to hold on to their item until they choose to retire,
resign, or get appointed to another position.
They will be assigned to where their services and skills are needed.

For those interested to apply for the new or higher vacant positions, they can also choose CTI
status while applying for new positions in the new structure. If they get appointed, the old item
will be abolished. In the event that they dont get appointed, they can retain the CTI status

Retirement / separation under EO 366

It means they choose not to work for government anymore. They will get more benefits than
regular retirement or separation, meaning aside from what they would have gotten from GSIS,
they will also get additional incentives from government (through DBM) under EO 366

For employees choosing this option, they cannot be appointed to a regular position in
government agencies for the next 5 years (except in hospitals or public schools)

*TAKE NOTE: For regular employees holding plantilla items:

No one will lose their rank or position level.
No one will be forced to retire. It is voluntary.
 No one will be forced out or retrenched from the organization
For the casual and contractual employees:
Contracts of casual and contractual employees are extended beyond Dec 15 with approval from
DBM

For more information, check this page: http://www.teacherph.com/deped-rationalization-

program
If you are included in the Rationalization Plan and wish to discuss your options further, you may
approach your respective head of office/unit. You may also contact the Rat Plan Helpdesk via
email: ratplanhelpdesk@deped.gov.ph

In 2006, the Department of Education (DepEd) submitted to the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM) its Rationalization Plan/Program in line with Executive Order No. 366 dated
October 4, 2004 entitled "Directing A Strategic Review of the Operations and Organizations of
the Executive Branch and Providing Options and Incentives for Government Employees Who
May Be Affected By The Rationalization of the Functions and Agencies of the Executive
Branch."

The review seeks to fulfill the following purposes:

a. Focusing government efforts and resources on its vital/core services; and

b. Improving the quality and efficiency of government services delivery by eliminating/minimizing

overlaps and duplications, and improving agency performance through the rationalization of
service delivery and support systems.

In 2006, the DepEd Rationalization Plan/Program aimed at achieving the following goals:

a. A leaner central office focused on agenda-setting, policy-making, research, standards

formulation and overall leadership;

b. A re-engineered regional office set up to provide field leadership in the enforcement of

standards. Corollary to this, the regional office to be a technical support service hub for
divisions;

c. A re-engineered schools division office with a core competence in leadership and supervision;
and

d. High performing schools (as measured by high Education for All (EFA) performance indicators
and high national test results).

However, the 2006 Rationalization Plan/Program has not been approved to date, for the DepEd has
experienced changes in priorities, thrusts and directions. Thus, the current management requested
from the DBM that the DepEd be given the opportunity to review and resubmit a revised plan in line
with Republic Act No. 9155 entitled "An Act Instituting A Framework of Governance for Basic
Education, Establishing Authority and Accountability, Renaming the Department of
Education, Culture and Sports As the Department of Education, and for Other Purposes" and
the new policies, thrusts and directions of the agency.

In September 2010, the DBM returned the plan to DepEd to "give management more time to
thoroughly review the functions, the organizational structure and the staffing complement with the
following reminders:

a. Have the same or lower number of positions as compared to its filled items at the start of the
rationalization effort in 2005;

b. Not to exceed the Personnel Services (PS) level of the Department at the start of the
rationalization effort in the aforesaid year; and

c. The rationalization should be based on the core functions of the Department.

This is because the rationalization program is intended to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the
government operation with the use of existing resources of government through the rechanneling of
said resources to priority areas of concern.

In this connection, this Department will be reviewing and redrafting the rationalization plan/program,
through its reconstituted Change Management Teams (CMTs) and its sub-teams, a team of consultants
under management's supervision is now doing several rounds of pre-drafting and consultations in a
separate Memorandum.

From the DepEd management, the following guidelines and policy directions are to be followed as
provided in EO No. 366 in designing the rationalization plan/program and its consequent effects:

a. The preparation of the rationalization plan/program shall go through a process of consultations

and validations. Please note that the first round of regional consultations was already
conducted in August-September 2011, and was carried out through the efforts of the Visayas
regions and selected divisions. Further consultations will be conducted as such: the second
round of consultations with the different associations; and the third round with the field
executives.

The Central Office consultations to be led by the CMT will commence in early October. The process will be
participatory and reiterative; hence, there will also be three (3) rounds of discussions with the different groups.

b. The rationalization plan/program is expected/targeted to be submitted by the end of

December 2011;

c. The implementation of the Rationalization Plan/Program will follow Section 20 of EO No. 366
which states: "The DBM shall issue the implementing guidelines for the effective
implementation of this EO, including the mechanisms for the agency utilization of savings,
provided that savings shall not be used for the creation of new positions and hiring of
additional personnel, either on contractual, casual, consultancy or job order basis."

d. No one will lose their rank or position level. The options available as prescribed by EO No. 366
include the following:

i. New assignments which will be at the same level or higher than their current position
if their qualification so merits it.
 ii. Movement (lateral or to a higher post) in a different level of the DepEd organization
(e.g. from division to district)

e. Professional development programs such as retooling will be provided to assist the personnel
in the transition to adjusted/new tasks:

i. No one will be forced out or retrenched from the organization other than by natural
attrition. This wi11 be the option followed by management unless an employee opts to
explore other career options within or outside the organization. Help will be provided
for such employees (e.g. job leads, training, career transition counseling); and

ii. No one will be forced to retire unless the person volunteers. Those who will opt to
retire wi11 be provided retirement benefits defined in EO No. 366.

Read
more: http://www.affordablecebu.com/load/philippine_government/deped_rationalization_plan_progra
m/5-1-0-2007#ixzz4aVnAjEvw

CSC clarifies rule on rationalization

POSTED BY LEO JAMORIN FEBRUARY 27, 2009

CSC clarifies rule on rationalization State employees whose posts are abolished under Executive Order

No. 366 or the rationalization plan can opt to stay in government or avail of the generous separation

package. This was clarified yesterday by Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chair Ricardo L. Saludo. The

CSC chief also cautioned government employees against irresponsible alarmists who only create an

atmosphere of confusion and dissent.

Under the law, affected personnel with permanent or temporary appointment who would opt to remain

in government service shall be placed in other agencies by the CSC where additional personnel are

required. Affected personnel, with appointments attested by the CSC, whether hired on a permanent or

temporary basis, who would opt to retire or be separated from the service shall be given the option to

avail themselves of retirement schemes

The CSC Chief also pointed out that police, teachers and health worker posts will not be affected by the

Executive Order 366. Initially, those affected by the reorganization will stay with CSC until they are

reassigned to their new posts, Chair Saludo expressed

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed in 2004 Executive Order No. 366, Directing A Strategic

Review of the Operations and Organizations of the Executive Branch and Providing Options and

Incentives for Government Employees Who May Be Affected by the Rationalization of the Functions and

Agencies of the Executive Branch.

The law directs agencies to prepare a rationalization plan to identify posts that are

redundant/outdated or no longer relevant to the accomplishment of the major final outputs of the

particular agency. The review of agency operations and structure also aim to improve the quality and

efficiency of government services.