Senator Robin Padilla urged the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to open a clearer path for indigenous peoples (IPs) to enter government service during the Senate budget briefing for the CSC on October 13.
Padilla said many IP leaders meet education and experience requirements but stall on civil service eligibility.
He asked the CSC to either grant a special eligibility to qualified IPs or ease passing requirements for those who take the civil service exam.
“Ano po ang puso ng Civil Service Commission sa ating mga IPs? Padilla asked, noting the country is marking Indigenous Peoples Month.
He added that government must match public praise with concrete measures that help IP communities access regular plantilla positions.
CSC Chairperson Marilyn Yap said the commission has no IP-specific program but follows an inclusive policy on recruitment, training, and services.
“As of now, walang specific na program for indigenous peoples but there is a standing policy,” she said, adding that all standard entry qualifications still apply: education, experience, training, and eligibility.
Yap presented data showing 70,180 IPs are in government as of June 2025.
Of these, 57.60% are job order and contract of service workers, while 42.40% hold career and non-career posts. By gender, 57.60% are female and 42.40% are male.
On possible remedies, Yap said the CSC is already implementing a “preferential rating” scheme for certain exam takers and is studying how IPs could benefit.
“As long as their score is not less than 70%, dadagdagan po ng 10 points para makaabot sila sa 80% na passing score,” she said, explaining that the matter is under commission deliberation and constrained by existing laws.
Padilla asked the commission to consider a lighter add-on or a lower threshold to speed up inclusion.
“Kung 75 ang passing grade, gawin na lang ang 70 points na added. 5 na lang,” he said, arguing that administrative action would be faster than waiting for new legislation.
Yap said the CSC would explore adjustments within its authority and coordinate with Padilla’s office, while any broader grant of special eligibility for IPs would likely require a law.
