The Department of Social and Welfare Development (DSWD) offers a wide range of occupations to Filipinos. All vacant positions are open to all Filipinos regardless of their social status, class, political affiliation, age, gender, civil status, disability, religion, ethnicity, or other factors or circumstances. However, applicants must meet all the qualifications and requirements set by the DSWD.
Applicants who want to work within a specific department or agency in the Philippine government must take the Civil Service Exam (CSE) organized by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). This exam will assess the applicants’ competence and eligibility to handle the role they want to apply to. Applicants must reach the passing score set by the CSE for Career Service Subprofessional Eligibility (CSSE) and Career Service Professional Eligibility (CSPE) applicants.
Basic Qualification for Civil Service Examination
All applicants for any department or agency in the Philippine government must first meet the basic qualifications set by the Civil Service Commission.
Applicants must be:
- Filipino citizen
- At least 18 years old at the time of application
- Has not been found guilty of a crime involving moral turpitude or of infamous, disgraceful, or immoral conduct, dishonesty, drunkenness, or addiction to drugs;
- Has not been previously found guilty of offenses relative to, or in connection with the conduct of a civil service examination; and
- Has not been dismissed from the service for cause.
Requirements
The Civil Service Exam (CSE) requires applicants to provide documents to apply; some eligibility requires additional and special documents. Here is the list of basic documents you need to prepare.
Basic Documentary Requirements:
- Application Form (https://csc.gov.ph/phocadownload/userupload/erpo/forms/SPELS/CS%20Form%20101-H.pdf)
- 3 pcs. ID picture with the following specifications:
- Passport size
- White background
- Bare face showing left and right ears
- Full printed name tag with a signature above it
- format: FIRST NAME-MIDDLE INITIAL-LAST NAME-EXTENSION NAME
- Name tag with signature must be written on white paper and not computerized
- Applicants must hold the name tag while taking the picture
- Original and photocopy of valid government-issued identification card. Acceptable IDs are as follows:
- Company ID
- School ID
- GSSIS UMID
- SSS ID
- Passport
- Driver’s License
- PRC License
- BIR/TIN ID
- Police Clearance
- Voter’s ID
- Philhealth ID
- Postal ID
- Barangay ID
- Original and photocopy of Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA)
- Original and photocopy of Marriage Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) (for married women)
- Certification of No Pending Case/Non-Conviction of Any Offense (https://csc.gov.ph/phocadownload/userupload/erpo/forms/SPELS/SPEL%20Form%201.pdf)
- If the applicant is filing through a representative, he or she must have the following documents
- Authorization letter from the applicant
- Original and photocopy of valid government-issued identification card of the representative
Filing of Application
Applicants must gather all the documentary requirements and make sure they are complete and valid. Only complete requirements will make sure your application is valid. Applicants can apply in person, through a representative, conduit CSC regional office, registered mail/courier, or electronic mail/email. Applicants must also pay the Evaluation and Processing Fees of Php 500.
In Person
This mode of filing is suitable for applicants who have time and resources to go to the CSC Regional Office. Some offices prefer this kind of method as this will allow them to interview the applicant.
Through a Representative
If you are going to send your application through a representative, make sure that your representative has proper documents such as a letter of authorization and valid government-issued identification. You also have to know that applicants are still required to appear in person in CSC to receive the acceptance of COE. Representatives are not allowed to receive them.
Conduit CSC Regional Office
If the applicants’ current location is far from the authorized CSC Regional Office which will release the COE, the applicants can file their application to the nearest CSC Regional Office. The Regional Office will act as a middleman between the applicant and the authorized CSC RO in accepting the application and releasing the COE of the applicants. However, this method might take time due to communication issues between the two offices.
Through Registered Mail/Courier
Applicants may send their application through post office or other couriers such as LBC. However, the CSC RO is not responsible for any delays or loss of documents due to the couriers’ negligence.
Electronic Mail or Email
This method is by far the most convenient, especially for those who don’t have the time and resources to go to the office. Applicants can send scanned copies of their application form and other documents to the CSC RO’s official email address. Once your application has been approved, you have to send the original copies of the documents to CSC RO before the release of COE.
Application Process
There are only two (2) stages of application for the CSC.
Stage 1: Evaluation of Application
The first stage is where applicants send their application to the CSC and wait for the evaluation and verification of their documents.
Stage 2: Processing of Certification of Eligibility (COE)
The second stage is where the CSC will process and release the COE of the applicants. Applicants must get their COE in person.
In case your application has been disqualified, you can file a Motion of Reconsideration (MR) with the CSC RO within fifteen (15) days of receiving the Notice of Disapproval/Disqualification.
Eligibilities Granted under Special Laws and CSC Issuances
Taking the Career Service Examination is not the only way to acquire Civil Service Eligibility. There are 11 different eligibilities under special laws such as:
- Bar/Board Eligibility (RA 1080)
- Barangay Health Worker Eligibility (RA 7883)
- Barangay Nutrition Scholar Eligibility (PD 1569)
- Barangay Official Eligibility (RA 7160)
- Electronic Data Processing Specialist Eligibility (CSC Res. 1302714)
- Honor Graduate Eligibility (PD 907)
- Sangunian Member Eligibility (RA 10156)
- Scientific and Technological Specialist Eligibility (PD 997)
- Skills Eligibility – Category II (CSC MC 11, s. 1996, as Amended)
- Veteran Preference Rating (EO 132/790)
- Career Service Eligibility – Preference Rating (CSE-PR)
Summary
Some jobs in the Department of Social and Welfare Development (DSWD) do not require any eligibility but most Job Vacancies that offer higher salaries do. If you are not under any Special Laws or CSC Issuance, it is much better to take the Career Service Examination. This exam can help you in your path to working in a government agency.