An expert team of extensionists from Rizal Technological University (RTU) successfully administered the program “The Primer: Public Sector Reorganization for Integrated

Manpower Excellence and Reengineering of the LGU” on April 6-10, 2026, in the Municipality of Paluan, Occidental Mindoro, as part of the broader institutional initiative called RTU ACE (Reaching Training Unlocking Abilities for Community Empowerment): Driving Organizational Excellence and Digital Governance Transformation.

Under the program, university experts on human resource management aimed to improve and strengthen the Paluan Local Government Unit’s human capital through a series of assessments and a review of the LGU’s current employee status, employment policies, and programs.

A key issue that emerged during the discussions was the professional development of several LGU personnel who do not yet fully meet the Qualification Standards prescribed by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). This gap limits their eligibility for permanent appointment, promotion, and advancement to higher-level positions, and poses challenges to succession planning and long-term workforce sustainability. Compounding this concern is the absence of a structured, competency-based learning and development framework, which limits the LGU’s capacity to address these gaps systematically and sustainably.

The LGU also recognized the need to review and rationalize its organizational and workforce structure to ensure human resources, functions, and staffing lines are aligned with current operational demands and service delivery requirements. Concerns such as overlapping functions, outdated job descriptions, and misalignment between the organizational structure and actual workloads were identified as areas requiring attention. These issues highlight the importance of undertaking organization development (OD) and operations re-engineering interventions grounded in sound human resource management principles.

As part of the engagement, the team carried out a series of activities beginning with project initiation and a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. This included a courtesy call and project orientation with LGU officials, followed by a review of existing HR policies, organizational charts, staffing patterns, and other relevant documents. The team also conducted HR systems and workforce assessments with destaffing heads and selected personnel, as well as focus group discussions.

Subsequently, job analysis and workforce re-engineering were conducted through workshops that validated duties, responsibilities, and competencies for each position. Positions were mapped against CSC Qualification Standards, and consultation meetings were held to validate initial findings.

Following the series of assessments and consultations, the team consolidated its findings and formally presented them to Hon. Michael D. Diaz, Mayor of Paluan, together with Hon. Jasmin T. Fernandez, the Vice Mayor, and members of the administrative leadership team, to support informed decision-making and guide the LGU’s organizational strengthening efforts.

The program was spearheaded by Dr. Rodolfo L. Ducut, with the support of a dedicated extension team composed of Dr. Maria Isabel D. Dizon, Dr. Rome Sheriff G. Montoya, Dr. Jessie F. Sergote, and Assoc. Prof. Mary Anne S. Rubio, Instr. Jean T. Francisco, Instr. Carlie H. Momongan, Instr. Ralph Michael S. Imperial, Instr. John Carlo A. Consignado, Instr. Shentelle Lei Masalonga, Instr. Pauline Mae D. Lisiguez, Instr. Joy Lyn G. Ropero, and Instr. Vanessa M. Aurelio.

In its conclusion, the program reaffirmed that meaningful public sector transformation begins with people, processes, and purpose working in harmony for the common good. Guided by the shared commitment that development must be inclusive and community-driven, the initiative echoes its enduring mantra “Mula sa komunidad, para sa komunidad.”