The UPLB Human Resources Development Office (UPLB HRDO) recently hosted a two-day benchmarking for the UP Manila HRDO Team (UPM HRDO). 

The benchmarking, held on May 13-14, 2024, focused on the preparation of UP Manila for Level II of the CSC’s Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM).

Per CSC Memorandum Circular No. 3 series of 2012, PRIME-HRM is a mechanism that empowers government agencies by developing their human resource management competencies, systems, and practices toward HR excellence, resulting in exceptional public service.

Michael Antonio F. Mendoza, UP Manila HRDO director, underscored the importance of progressing to PRIME-HRM Level II. He said that he sees it as a crucial step toward cultivating a responsive, efficient, and health-centered human resource system.

“Health human resources is a building block to a responsive health system.  [Therefore,] as the Health Sciences Center, UP Manila must continually improve and nurture its personnel to fulfill its mandate. In this regard, a responsive and efficient human resources development office becomes an essential player,” he explained.

Director Mendoza said that knowing the meticulous attention that UPLB pays to small details and the workarounds it employs in documenting requirements, preparing for assessments, and enhancing the participation of management and staff has been extremely beneficial to the UP Manila HRDO personnel.

“These insights may not be captured fully if this was not a face-to-face activity. The willingness of the UPLB HRDO to share their experiences made for a fruitful benchmarking activity,” he added.

Upholding the “One UP, One HR” motto, UPLB HRDO is dedicated to assisting other UP constituent universities in achieving PRIME HRM Level II accreditation.

During the event, Rosalyn Mabel M. Jimera, administrative officer and section chief of the Position Classification and Staff Development Section, and Supervising Administrative Officer Ricardo Amiel V. Reveche, facilitated the activities.

HRDO Director Roderick C. Javar and Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Administration Eugene Raymond P. Crudo were also present to welcome the UP Manila HRDO Team.

In 2023, UPLB attained PRIME-HRM Maturity Level II certification in the four HR systems: Recruitment, Selection, and Placement, Learning and Development, Performance Management, and Rewards and Recognition.

This accomplishment positions UPLB as the second UP constituent university to have advanced to the second maturity level under PRIME-HRM.

Gearing towards integrated HR systems, the UPLB HRDO will focus on expediting its efforts and resources in preparation for the PRIME-HRM Level III accreditation. 

“Since the focus for Level III is integration, we are currently preparing our data and revisiting the competencies developed way back in 2020, which will play a big role in integrating the four HR systems and hopefully, into one application that is now being developed,” Jimera said. 

HRDO also plans to coordinate with the director of the Civil Service Commission Field Office for the proper orientation on the evidence requirements, which will enable them to apply for the PRIME-HRM Level III accreditation in the coming years. (Yra Bautista)