CSA Defends Proposed FY 2025 Budget at the House of Representatives

Authorities of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), on December 16, 2024, appeared before the House of Representatives for its much-anticipated budget hearing. The Agency was represented at the lower house of the legislature by its Director-General, Hon. Josiah F. Joekai, Jr. Accompanying the CSA boss was the Agency’s Deputy Director-General for Administration and Finance, Hon. Dahnu Mianyan, and Comptroller, Mr. Boakai J. Varney.

The team honored the invitation following their absence from the previous hearing and demonstrated thorough preparedness by referencing key highlights from the Agency’s 2024 Annual Report.

During the session, the CSA team underscored significant cost-saving actions achieved through the Employee Status Regularization Project (ESRP) and a reduction in consultancy services. Institutional strengthening efforts were highlighted, including the operationalization of the National Testing Center and the reconstitution of the Civil Service Board of Appeals, both aimed at enhancing good governance and operational efficiency.

The hearing also focused on improvements to retirement and pension processes, such as pre-retirement counseling and enhanced redundancy management. Comparing the budget for 2024 to the proposed fiscal budget for 2025, the CSA presented its strategic vision for achieving improved service delivery outcomes.

Additionally, proposed payroll system reforms were discussed, including plans to phase out mobile money salary payments, a system often exploited by double-dippers. The CSA also emphasized the need to encourage more formalized banking solutions, particularly through the push and pull method to promote creditability.

Discussions were held on the transition of payroll processes from the Alternative Temporary Automated Payroll System (ATAPS) to the Civil Service Management (CSM) System, with the implementation of the latter offering direct and transparent payroll data for civil servants. These reforms are designed to streamline payment processes and bolster fiscal accountability.

While the CSA’s reform initiatives under the leadership of Hon. Josiah F. Joekai, Jr. attracted mixed reactions from lawmakers—a reflection of concerns that led to the omission of the previous budget hearing—the Agency remains optimistic that its comprehensive presentation will positively influence decisions regarding the 2025 fiscal year envelope.