More than 300 general services officers from local government units in the region gathered at Rakdell Inn in Virac last week for the three-day 4th Philippine Association of General Services Officers (PAGSO) Bicol Convention at Rakdell Inn in Virac.
Held from Feb. 19 to 21 with the theme “Connecting LGUs Through Excellence,” the GSOs were provided with updates from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) on insurance for government properties, a preview of the New Procurement Law under Republic Act 12009, the One-Time Cleansing of Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE), and the Revised Manual on the Disposal of Government Properties.
Also presented were best practices of selected Bicol GSOs and the group’s position paper for the mandatory creation of GSO positions in LGUs.
The regional conventions’ resource speaker was retired Chief Archivist Estrella Domingo of the National Archives of the Philippines (NAP).
Also present were Gov. Joseph Cua, GSIS Vice President for South Luzon Ireen Dimaano, Virac Councilor Lemuel Surtida who represented Mayor Samuel Laynes, and Camarines Norte Provincial GSO Engr. Eden Borja, who is the PAGSO RV regional president and executive vice president of PAGSO, Inc.
GSOs are vital to the delivery of basic services of an LGU as it is tasked with the procurement, care, utilization, and disposal of supplies, materials, equipment and assets of the LGU as well as take custody of its properties.
Specifically, its functions and duties extend to the maintenance and repair of office equipment, provision of janitorial services; safeguarding and inventory of properties as well as disposition of unserviceable properties; assigning of building or land space to local officials; recommend reasonable rental rates for local government properties for lease; dissemination of information regarding prices, shipping and other costs of supplies, and other items commonly used by the LGU; and archival and record management with respect to records of offices and departments.