Reviews Are In! What Are The Top Government Agencies To Work For?

Our survey is not the only proof that people want to work in government. The reviews are in too! If your heart lies in serving the people, this path is the surefire way to help achieve that. As one of the most resilient and stable industries today, it is no surprise that government employees are among the happiest professionals in the country. 

But if we want to get specific, we take a look at the top government agencies to work for. While having a place is enough to satiate your thirst to serve, taking a look at our reviews could also help. 

Before we explore the different opportunities, let us note the requirements to apply for government positions.

How do I apply for a government position?

The usual criteria to qualify for a position in government are the same across all industries, except for a test. This is called the Civil Service Exam, an aptitude test that determines whether you are fit for public service or not. 

If you are interested to pursue further, here are the things to keep in mind:

• You must be a Filipino Citizen
• Must be at least 18 years old on the date of application
• No involvement in criminal activity
• No dismissal from a previous government position or assigned role, if any
• No breaches were incurred during previous retakes of the Civil Service Exam

Several benefits and advantages await those who are government-employed. Such include a competitive salary package, pension benefits, and a flexible working schedule, to name a few.

Which government department is the best to work for?

There is no best government agency to work for. It is a subjective point of judgment and is dependent on your interest, capability, and specialities. What is important to note is what agency will help you pursue your passion the most.

Now, let us take a look at the top government agencies you can refer to for your next job search:

1. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

“It was a great avenue to practice social responsibility and harness skills for government positions.” - Administrative Officer

DSWD is responsible for the social welfare and rights of Filipinos. Their main focus is to uplift society, specifically disadvantaged children, youth, women, persons with disabilities, seniors, people and families at risk, among others. They do this through a comprehensive set of social welfare improvement programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of our countrymen. 

2. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

“They give assistance for the benefit of workers and constantly gather data to help Filipinos toward a better and good economic growth.” - Statistician

The primary role DOLE serves is to look out for the rights of Filipino professionals, laborers, and workers. They monitor both the formal and informal sectors, ensuring that companies apply fair employment practices and provide opportunities, regardless of physical and personal factors. Not only that, their scope covers OFWs’ and migrant workers’ rights and responsibilities. 

3. Department of Health (DOH)

“My job allows me to make a difference in terms of my clients’ health and well-being, as well as to deliver great healthcare to the community.” - Registered nurse

The pandemic catapulted this specific department to the spotlight to be the forefront of addressing health concerns. Nowadays, people are more concerned about their overall well-being and DOH answers to these in return. Aside from regulating health services across the country, they also provide healthcare services to partners and stakeholders. 

4. Commission on Audit (COA)

“It is an advantageous experience in the field of audit.” – Internship Trainee

Created during the 1987 Constitution Era, the COA exists as an independent auditing body. Their main function is to perform checks and balances of government funds, as well as settle any accounts and expenditures incurred. They are also known as the Supreme State Audit Institution. 

5. Department of Education (DepEd)

“The experience of working in the DepEd is a great exposure for those who want to know what working in the real world means.” – Technical Assistant

This executive department’s primary responsibility is to constantly and consistently improve the educational system in the country. As they watch over the public and private sector, they are in charge of formulating policies related to education. 

6. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

“DPWH provides quality infrastructure with stable design and several projects. They also provide transparent transactions and fast actions during calamity damage repairs and renovations.” - Inspector, Designer

If building and designing infrastructures is your game, the DPWH may be your claim to fame. The role of this agency is to oversee, conceptualize, execute, and maintain the plans for design and construction of the country’s infrastructures. Highly dependent on the objectives related to national development, they also watch over flood control and the Philippines’s water systems. 

7. Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF)

“Fulfilling work for the service oriented.” - Management Support Assistant

Also known as the PAG-IBIG fund, this program’s roots began as an answer to a need. In this case, the call was to have a national savings program and to create opportunities for affordable housing. Two agencies then took charge of executing the purpose of this fund: the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). The former was responsible for the funds of private employees, while the latter watched over the ones for government employees. 

Having a PAG-IBIG membership is highly beneficial. Members of the program are entitled to a diverse range of loans: housing loans, provident savings, and short term loans. Those affected by calamities also get a special Calamity Loan, which provides immediate assistance of 80% of PAG-IBIG savings. 

8. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

“Such an honor to have this amazing opportunity. I gained a lot of essential knowledge about circulating a business.” - Negosyo Center Intern

DTI’s main role is providing the industry and services sector with economic opportunities that will further growth and development. With a focus on MSMEs and overseas Filipino workers, they increase access to such circumstances. 

By doing so, they achieve such goals such as: increasing investments on both local and international terms, enhance productivity, and ensure equal consumer access to products and services in the market. Currently, the agency has six main programs aligned with these objectives. These are: exports and development programs, industry development, SME development, consumer protection, consumer education and advocacy, and good governance. 

9. Bureau of Internal Revenue - National Office (BIR)

“It is fulfilling to assist the taxpayers by being able to share with them my knowledge and skills regarding accounting, taxation, and laws.” - Revenue Officer

Working as an agency under the Department of Finance, the BIR oversees the collection and reduction of taxes. This applies to both the private and public sectors, the latter including employees and members of government alike. They also enforce certain taxation policies and ensure that incidents like tax fraud are completely avoided. 

Examples of their functions include preparing necessary documents for accounting, printing these forms, and looking after the maintenance of such documents in the long run. They also issue your TIN (Tax Identification Number) to make sure you fall under the right category for tax issuance. 

(Also read: An Easy Guide to Filing Your Income Tax Return in the Philippines)

10. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)

“I grew as an employee and as a person.” - Registration Officer II

The PSA serves as the central statistical authority of the Philippines. What this means is they govern over the collection of official statistics concerning the country. Examples of these include population, number of people in the workforce, and so on. In order to do this, they do censuses across industries and homes regularly to ensure their data is up to date. 

It’s time to kickstart your career so #LetsGetToWork! But before anything else, make sure you take a look at our comprehensive Career Tools to ensure you get the help you need. 

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