A new legislative proposal in the House of Representatives seeks to transform the career prospects of thousands of casual and contractual government employees by granting them a path to permanent status.
Path to Permanence and Benefits
1Tahanan Partylist Representative Nathan Oducado filed House Bill (HB) 6960 on Thursday, December 18, 2025. The core provision of the bill is to grant Civil Service Eligibility (CSE) to qualified casual and contractual government workers who have rendered at least five years of "continuous efficient service."
Oducado highlighted the current disparity, noting that unlike their regular counterparts, casual and contractual staff do not enjoy fundamental benefits. "Unlike regular or appointed government employees, casual and contractual workers do not enjoy benefits such as paid leaves, thirteenth month pay, and security of tenure," the congressman stated.
Rewarding Experience and Service
The lawmaker argued that half a decade of service is a significant testament to an employee's capability and dedication. "Five years of casual or contractual employment is more than enough to prove that the employee is capable of regular employment and the benefits their peers and colleagues enjoy," Oducado added.
The bill specifically covers employees in casual or contractual positions in the first and second levels of government service who meet the five-year service requirement. This move is framed as an acknowledgment of the value these workers bring. "We must account for the wealth of experience and skills acquired by workers under Job Order or Contract of Service arrangements in accordance with their well-earned status," Oducado explained.
Safeguards and Future Implications
To ensure the integrity of the process, the bill mandates that the Civil Service Commission (CSC) will formulate performance evaluation standards. This measure aims to guarantee that only those with ample qualifications receive the coveted eligibility. Furthermore, the appropriate CSE would still be required if an employee seeks promotion, maintaining the merit-based principles of the civil service.
Representative Oducado positioned the bill as a crucial step toward fairness and recognition. "Ultimately, this bill is an act of justice," he asserted. "It affirms the dignity of labor, rewards efficiency, and strengthens the morale of thousands of government workers who have long stood behind the delivery of essential public services."
If passed into law, HB 6960 could significantly alter the landscape of public sector employment, offering job security and career advancement opportunities to a substantial segment of the government workforce currently employed under temporary arrangements.
