“I’d like to commend Miss Elvira Cruz of DSWD Travel Clearance Section in Legarda Manila for the nice and pleasant assistance given me today.”
This was the simple yet meaningful text message sent by Ms. Cecilia G. Reynon lodged at the Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB) of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on February 27, 2014, which the CSC relayed to the Department of Social Welfare and Development thru its letter dated February 28, 2014 addressed to Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman.
According to Ms. Elvira Cruz, Social Welfare Officer II assigned at the Travel Clearance Section of DSWD-NCR, it was a usual Thursday morning on February 27, 2014 when Ms. Reynon applied for a travel clearance of her nephew who will travel with her to spend vacation with his parents abroad.
Ms. Cruz was the social worker assigned to handle Ms. Reynon’s application and while the former is checking the documentary requirements, the latter asked if the certificate may be issued within the day since it will be hard for Ms. Reynon who seemed to be in her late 50s, to return to the field office. She lives in dela Paz, Pasig City.
Upon the assessment of Ms. Cruz, since Ms. Reynon has complete requirements needed to facilitate the travel clearance of her nephew, and there was no applicant in the priority lane at that time, she said “yes ma’am, we may issue the certificate within the day.”
”Do you think what time should I come back to claim the certificate?,” Ms. Reynon asked.
“You may came back at 4:00pm Ma’am… you may go to SM Manila if you want Ma’am then you may also have your lunch there,” Ms. Cruz said.
When it was 4:10pm, Ms. Reynon returned to Ms. Cruz and said while grinning “Hi, may I now claim the travel clearance of my nephew?… Nga pala, hindi ako nagpunta sa SM Manila… nag Divisoria ako.” Then they laughed together.
After Ms. Cruz handed the certificate to Ms. Reynon, she then left the travel clearance section with a smile and thankfulness that she will already book the flight with her nephew.
Ms. Cruz who was recognized by DSWD-NCR Regional Director Ma. Alicia S. Bonoan during the flag ceremony on March 17, 2014, is still surprised that her prompt and joyful travel clearance facilitation was recognized by a client.
“Being joyful is in my personality. I won’t deny that there were times that I felt like losing my temper yet, I controlled it because the moment we start talking to our clients, we are not only representing ourselves, but the Department as well,” Ms. Cruz said.
This commendation inspired not only Ms. Cruz who is now in her 25th years of service at DSWD-NCR, but also all staff and officials of the field office to continue to serve with commitment and a smile to the clients of the Department.