Granted pursuant to Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10156, dated December 20, 2011, otherwise known as “An Act Conferring upon Members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the Appropriate Civil Service Eligibility under Certain Circumstances, and for Other Purposes”.

WHO ARE QUALIFIED FOR THE GRANT OF SME

In accordance with Civil Service Commission (CSC) Resolution No. 1300486, dated March 6, 2013 and circularized through CSC Memorandum Circular No. 12, s. 2013 dated May 31, 2013, the SME is granted effective May 1, 2013 to the following Sanggunian Members, who have been elected after the effectivity of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160) or on May 11, 1992 onwards:

a. Vice Mayor, as presiding officer of the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod;
b. Vice Governor, as presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan; and
c. regular Sanggunian Members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Panlalawigan. 

Above Sanggunian Members must meet the following qualifications:

a. For SME (first level):

Served as Sanggunian Member for an aggregate period of six (6) years; and completed at least 72 units leading to a baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree program recognized by CHED from a Private Higher Education Institution in the Philippines or from a State/Local College with baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree included in its charter, or baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree duly approved by its Board of Trustees/Board of Regents.

b. For SME (second level):

Served as Sanggunian Member for an aggregate period of nine (9) years; and completed a baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree program recognized by CHED from a Private Higher Education Institution in the Philippines or from a State/Local College with baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree included in its charter, or baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree duly approved by its Board of Trustees/Board of Regents.

c. Name is included in the corresponding Master List issued by the concerned DILG office.    

APPROPRIATENESS OF SME

The SME shall be considered appropriate for appointment to second and first level positions in the career service, except those which require qualifications in skills or trade test and/or requiring passing the Board or Bar examinations, or requiring eligibilities provided under special laws, and shall be applicable, as follows:

1. The Sanggunian Member First Level Eligibility shall be applicable for entrance and promotion to first level career service positions only; and
2. The Sanggunian Member Second Level Eligibility shall be applicable for entrance and promotion to first level and second level career service positions.

DATE OF EFFECTIVITY OF SME

The date of effectivity of the SME shall be the date of approval of an application by the CSC Regional Office (RO) concerned.

PERIOD OF FILING OF APPLICATION FOR SME

The filing of applications for the grant of SME is continuous.  

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMISSION BY APPLICANTS

General Documentary Requirements

1. Duly accomplished SME Application Form (CS Form 101-J, Revised December 2018);

2. Three (3) pieces of identical I.D. pictures taken within the last three (3) months prior to the filing of the application with specifications, as follows:

a. passport size (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm);
b. printed on quality photo paper;
c. in white background;
d. in standard close-up shot (from shoulder level up with the head and face occupying at least 80% of the picture and with the name tag positioned at approximately 1” below the chin);
e. in bare face (without eyeglasses/colored contact lens, or any accessory that may cover facial features; facial features not computer-enhanced);
f. showing left and right ears; and
g. with full name tag.

Note:

The name tag must legibly show the applicant’s signature over the complete printed name in the format First Name-Middle Initial-Last Name-Extension Name (if any); and

The name tag should not be computerized, meaning, the applicant should have his/her picture taken while holding his/her written name tag.

Illustration:

3. Original and photocopy of any of the following I.D. cards, which must be valid (not expired) upon the filing of the application, bearing the applicant’s complete name, picture, and signature, and the issuing officer’s name and signature:

a. Driver’s License / Temporary Driver’s License (LTO O.R. must be presented together with old Driver’s License; O.R. alone is not allowed) / Student Driver’s Permit;
b. Passport (with signature of the applicant);
c. SSS I.D. Card;
d. GSIS UMID Card;
e. Voter’s I.D./Voter’s Certification Card;
f. BIR/Taxpayer’s I.D. Card (ATM type/laminated card with picture type);
g. PhilHealth I.D. Card (must have the bearer’s name, clear picture, signature and PhilHealth number);
h. Current Company/Office I.D. Card;
i. School I.D. Card (must be duly validated for the current school year);
j. Police Clearance/Police Certificate (with picture);
k. Postal I.D. Card;
l. Barangay I.D. Card;
m. NBI Clearance;
n. Seaman’s Book;
o. HDMF Transaction I.D. Card;
p. PWD I.D. Card;
q. Solo Parent I.D. Card;
r. Senior Citizen’s I.D. Card; or
s. PhilSys ID Card.

Note: Any other I.D. card NOT included in the above list shall NOT be accepted. Alumni association membership, and health I.D. cards, including ATM cards, shall NOT be accepted. 

4. Original and photocopy of the Birth Certificate of the applicant issued/authenticated by the then National Statistics Office (NSO), now Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). In case the NSO or PSA Birth Certificate is not legible, or if the NSO or PSA has duly issued a negative certification of birth (NSO or PSA CRS Form No. 1) printed in NSO or PSA security form, the applicant shall, in addition, submit the original and photocopy of his/her Birth Certificate issued/authenticated by the Local Civil Registrar;

5. For married female applicants, the original and photocopy of Marriage Certificate issued/authenticated by the NSO or PSA. In case the NSO or PSA Marriage Certificate is not legible, or if the NSO or PSA has duly issued a negative certification of marriage printed in the NSO or PSA security form, the applicant shall, in addition, submit the original and photocopy of her Marriage Certificate issued/authenticated by the Local Civil Registrar;

6. Certification executed by the applicant that he/she has no pending administrative and/or criminal case before any court/authorized body, and that he/she has never been found guilty/convicted of any administrative offense and/or crime, using the prescribed prescribed CSC SPEL Form 1, April 2012; and

7. If filing of the application is through a representative:

a. Authorization letter executed by the applicant; and
b. Original and  photocopy  of  at  least  one (1) valid I.D. card  of  the representative as listed under Item no. 3 hereof.

Specific Documentary Requirements:

1. For applicant who is a baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree holder, original/ authenticated and photocopy of Transcript of Record;
2. For Sanggunian Member First Level Eligibility applicant who is not a baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree holder, certification on the number of units earned and the baccalaureate/bachelor’s degree being/has pursued duly signed by authorized official/registrar of the university/college;
3. Original/Authenticated Master List of qualified Sanggunian Members issued by the DILG (agency to agency concern);
4. For Sanggunian Members not included in the DILG Master List, Certification of services rendered by the Sanggunian Member duly signed by authorized DILG official at the regional level where he/she has served as Sanggunian Member (Use CSC SME Form 1, July 2017);  and
5. Other documents as may be deemed necessary by the CSC in verifying authenticity of information supplied by the applicant

WHERE TO FILE THE APPLICATIONS FOR SME

Properly accomplished (CS Form 101-J (Revised, December 2018), together with the pictures and other documentary requirements, must be submitted to the CSC Regional Office concerned, or to any of its Field Offices, having jurisdiction over the province, city, or municipality where an applicant has rendered his/her last term or years of service.

MODES OF FILING OF APPLICATIONS FOR SME

A. By the Applicant in Person;

This mode of filing an application involves the applicant himself/herself going to the CSC RO concerned, or to any of its FOs, to personally submit his/her application and documentary requirements. This is the most recommended mode of application filing, as this will allow interview of the applicant as to his/her qualifications and other circumstances relevant to his/her application for eligibility grant.

B. Through Representative;

This mode involves a representative of the applicant going to the CSC RO concerned, or to any of its FOs, to submit the application and documentary requirements.

Filing of application through a representative shall require the submission of the following additional documents:

- Authorization Letter executed by the applicant; and

- Original and photocopy of at least one (1) valid I.D. card of the representative.

Note: While filing of application may be coursed through a representative, the applicant shall be required to appear personally before the CSC RO for the proper issuance and acceptance of the Certificate of Eligibility (COE), should the application be approved. Representative/s shall not be allowed to receive the COE on behalf of the applicant-grantee.

C. Through Conduit CSC Regional Office (RO); and

This mode involves applicants who have moved to or are presently based in another region that is far-off from the authorized CSC RO having jurisdiction over their cases.

In this instance, an applicant concerned, or his/her representative, may file the application to the CSC RO nearest the applicant’s present place of residence or work. Said CSC RO shall act as conduit between the applicant and the authorized CSC RO in facilitating acceptance of the application, and release of the corresponding COE should the application for eligibility grant be approved.

This mode of application filing takes time, considering that communications between the conduit CSC RO and the authorized CSC RO are dispatched at least via registered mail.

D. Through Mail.

This mode involves the applicant sending his/her application and documentary requirements (including originals) to the CSC RO concerned through either registered mail, or courier. This mode takes time in view of anticipated exchange of communications. Delays and lost of documents through the negligence of the courier is beyond the control of the CSC RO concerned.

Applications filed at the CSC Field Office shall be charged only the Evaluation Fee considering that the applications will be forwarded to the CSC Regional Office (RO) for review and final evaluation, and processing of Certificate of Eligibility.

Applications filed through Conduit CSC Regional/Field Office or through Mail (registered mail, or courier) should enclose a Postal Money Order borne in the name of the CSC Regional Office concerned in the amount of Php200.00 representing payment for the Evaluation Fee.