Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1408)
The main purpose of Presidential Decree No. 1408 is to confer civil service eligibility to Electronic Data Processing (EDP) specialists based on their qualifications and proficiency, to facilitate their recruitment into government service.
The Civil Service Commission, upon certification of proficiency by the National Computer Center through the National Computer Institute, is authorized to confer civil service eligibility to Electronic Data Processing Specialists.
An Electronic Data Processing Specialist is defined as a person who has at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent and has been issued a certificate of proficiency in areas such as Electronic Data Processing Systems and Analysis and Design, Computer Programming, or Computer Operation.
The areas of proficiency are Electronic Data Processing Systems and Analysis and Design, Computer Programming, and Computer Operation.
The National Computer Center, through the National Computer Institute, is responsible for assessing the competence of Electronic Data Processing personnel, issuing certificates of proficiency, and jointly working with the Civil Service Commission in certifying those qualified for eligibility.
Section 3 mandates that the Civil Service Commission and the National Computer Center jointly assess the competence or proficiency of those presently holding Electronic Data Processing positions and certify those qualified for the grant of civil service eligibility.
The conferment is based on the issuance of a certificate of proficiency by the National Computer Institute, evidencing that the applicant is proficient in their field of specialization.
The conferment of civil service eligibility shall lapse five years from the date of the decree, June 8, 1978.
Section 1 establishes the policy that the government shall support the development of computer technology and attract Electronic Data Processing personnel into the public service.
The Civil Service Commission and National Computer Center are tasked to prescribe training courses for Electronic Data Processing specialists, and those determined proficient through training will be issued certificates of proficiency.
The decree relies on the Constitution and civil service provisions allowing merit and fitness for government employment to be determined by means other than competitive exams when highly technical qualifications are involved, as with scientific and technological personnel like EDP specialists.