City hall workers in ASEAN - inspired clothing
By Keren Anne Bernadas
CITY Hall workers have expressed their enthusiasm and support for the revised dress code recently implemented by the Civil Service Commission for all public officials and employees, whether they are working on-site or under flexible arrangements.
The new guidelines require employees to wear ASEAN-inspired clothing on the first Monday of every month, while Filipiniana-inspired attire is to be worn on all subsequent working Mondays.
This initiative is backed by Memorandum Circular 16 issued by the city government in 2024. Acting City Human Resource Management Officer Anselmo Maño said this effort promotes professionalism and fosters cultural pride among Filipinos.
Maño announced that casual, elective, and permanent employees receive a clothing allowance of ₱7,000 from the national government to comply with the new dress code.
The dress code was implemented on Wednesday morning, following the release of the clothing allowance, which happened last Friday. The deadline for full compliance is at the end of February, and department heads will be responsible for monitoring adherence to the dress code.
Maño also clarified that the allowance should not be treated as a “bonus” but should be used for the prescribed attire.
“Government workers can accessorize and be creative and innovative as much as they can for them to use the money for its purpose,” he said.
Margarita Romina Baryon, Naga City Health Office staff, expressed her positive views on the dress code.
“It is giving a certain aura like it evokes abundance – which means more than luxury or having much money but it’s holistic kind of abundance and elegance,” she said. “Nowadays, I find our very own national costumes are not trashy. It presents a demure and impressive vibe.”
“It is also good to appreciate the culture of ASEAN countries especially the eastern areas which are known for their extroverted, reflective and peaceful characteristics,” Baryon added.
Christopher Antonio from the Naga City Treasurer’s Office looks forward to every Monday due to the dress code. He stated, “I think it’s great. We get to dress up and stand out as government workers in society.”
“Alongside this, we are grateful for the clothing allowance. We can recycle, reuse, and redesign our outfits come Monday. This policy is also gender-sensitive so I am allowed to cross-dress according to the gender that I have chosen, so I still dress up with decency” he said.
Rosemarie Santiago from the Naga City Population and Nutrition Office and Angelica Navia from the Naga City Procurement Office shared that affordable Filipiniana and ASEAN-inspired clothing are easily found online. They also suggested creatively adding accessories and modern outfits to fit the theme.
Jamie Reblando from the Senior Citizens Affairs Office shared the same sentiment, saying, “I really feel happy about it.”
“Kung culture talaga natin ang paiiralin, yun ang magiging tanda at identity ng mga Pilipino (If culture is really ours to live by, that will be the mark and identity of Filipinos),” she said. (PIA5)
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