Commitment is a word not foreign to PhilHealth Regional Office (PRO) VIII employees. For one, these public servants encountered this when they took their oath of office. Second, service pledge is recited every Monday during the flag ceremony.

But for PRO VIII employees who attended the training on "Harnessing Emotional Quotient for Positive Organizational Behavior" at Patio Victoria, Tacloban City, there couldn’t have been a better time to renew their commitment to themselves, and, albeit less formal, to the public.

With all personnel gathered, top brass and rank and file alike, it was the perfect time to look back at the year that was and to celebrate their achievements—all the hard work they put to serve the nation.

Also, the employees renewed their vow of support and commitment to their new Regional Vice President, Renato Limsiaco, Jr., who is back to the region after his stint as Senior Manager of Comptrollership Department. He previously served as the region’s Field Operations Division Chief. The “commitment rites” were also witnessed by Gregorio C. Rulloda, OIC-Senior Vice President for Fund Management Sector, and Dr. Leo Douglas Cardona, Jr., Vice President for Area III.

Teresita Albert, resource speaker, facilitated activities that highlighted the importance of self-awareness especially knowing one's blind spots, positive feedbacking to people, and relationship management among employees in order to achieve not only the change they desire for themselves but also for the organization as a whole.

“Seek first to understand then to be understood,” the late American author Stephen Covey once said. The activities helped the employees bury the hatchet and settle their differences. It was a fitting activity to wrap up the year and welcome a new one together.

As they say, a new year calls for new beginnings. In PRO VIII, they did this with a renewed dedication and a new direction. Aware of the change that needs to start from within, the employees are inspired more than ever to perform better for the people they had pledged to serve. (END) (Marvin Delco A. Tamondong)