CGSO head recognized for 38 years of public service

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (15 February 2014) – The local government of General Santos City has expressed its heartfelt gratitude to outgoing City General Services Office (CGSO) department head Roman Lasmarias Salazar as he bids farewell to public service after reaching his retirement age of 65.

A farewell party Monday (February 10) at the Oval Gymnasium celebrated the 38-year journey of Salazar, which had started on April 01, 1975 as a Job Order (JO) Clerk Collector for the city.

On October 01, 1978, after passing the Civil Service Examination, Salazar was absorbed as a regular employee—from the position of Revenue Collection Clerk up to Supply Officer IV of CGSO in January 01, 1987.

Salazar was then endorsed to become the CGSO Department Head II on February 08, 1992 and held the position up to February 10, 2014—a total of 21 years.

During the party, all of the department and assistant department heads expressed their gratitude for the camaraderie and the pleasant dealing Salazar has had for his employees.

Federico Cabanit, City Accounting Office department head and a close friend of Salazar, serenaded the latter together with the City Hall Employees Choir Division.

In his speech, Salazar thanked everyone that he worked with on his one-of-a-kind experience on public service.

“I thank everyone for being with me in this line of service. I know public service is hard, but then I made it here. So I’m thankful,” Salazar expressed.

Salazar kidded that he will focus his time on “apostolic missions” now that he is retired.

“I have no work now so my new duty is to fetch my apos (grandkids) before and after their school,” Salazar chuckled.

Lastly, Salazar pitched his warmest gratitude to City Mayor Ronnel Rivera for extending his service for six months.

“I was supposed to retire last August 03, 2013 but the city mayor requested the Civil Service Commission to extend my service for six months for meritorious reasons. I can’t thank Mayor Rivera enough for the faith he has for me and it is my honor to serve him before I retire,” Salazar. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Ian John M. Lagare)