CSC grants eligibility to Sanggunian members

MANILA -- Former Sanggunian members can now continue their government service through the Sanggunian Member Eligibility (SME), the Civil Service Commission (CSC) said on Thursday.

In a statement, the CSC said the SME is granted to certain Sanggunian members pursuant to Republic Act No. 10156 or An Act Conferring upon Members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Panlalawigan the Appropriate Civil Service Eligibility under Certain Circumstances, and for Other Purposes.

The SME includes the vice mayor, as presiding officer for the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod; the vice governor, as presiding officer for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan; and the regular Sanggunian Members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

CSC said Sanggunian members who were not elected at large or by a political district are not entitled to the grant of eligibility.

“(These are the) presi

dent of provincial, city, or municipal chapter of the Liga ng mga Barangay; president of the panlalawigan, panlungsod, and pambayang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan; and sectoral representatives to the Sanggunian Panlalawigan, Bayan, or Panlungsod,” the CSC said.

The SME has two levels - the first level is for those who have served as Sanggunian Member for an aggregate period of six years, and have completed at least 72 units leading to a baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree, while the second level is for those who have served as Sanggunian Member for an aggregate period of nine years, and have completed a baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree.

“For both levels, baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree program taken should be recognized by the Commission on Higher Education from a private higher education institution in the Philippines or from a state or local college with baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree included in its charter or duly approved by its Board of Trustees or Board of Regents,” the CSC said.

The aggregate period is the actual number of years of service as Sanggunian member, based on official records of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. It includes accumulated years of service in any Sanggunian, and in one or more Sanggunian.

“The first level SME shall be comparable to Career Service Subprofessional Eligibility appropriate for entrance and promotion to first level career service positions, while the second level SME shall be comparable to Career Service Professional Eligibility appropriate for entrance and promotion to second level career service positions,” the CSC added.

The commission said interested members who have completed their service requirements before May 2013 can no longer apply for the eligibility while those who were elected in the May 2013 elections, and thereafter, may file the application for the grant of SME within two years upon meeting the required number of years of service.