PASAY CITY, Philippines — The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) formalized a partnership on October 20, 2026, to develop and implement the Public Financial Management (PFM) Micro-Credentialing Program, aimed at strengthening the competencies of government budget professionals.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) led by DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert C. De Leon and DAP Acting President and CEO Leocadio S. Sebastian.
Through the initiative, government budget officers and analysts will have access to a competency-based training and credentialing system designed to enhance their technical expertise, strengthen fiscal discipline, and improve the management of public resources.
The program underscores the importance of developing the capabilities of government personnel responsible for planning, managing, and overseeing public funds to support more informed decisions and effective public spending.
The MOU signing coincided with the opening of the three-day 67th Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Workshop Meeting of Heads of National Productivity Organizations (WSM), held on October 20–22, 2026, in Manila, which brought together representatives of APO member economies.
In his keynote address during the opening, Secretary De Leon emphasized the need to measure government performance not only by the amount of public funds spent but also by the improvements these expenditures bring to people’s lives.
“At the DBM, we often remind ourselves that every peso has a human story. Behind every allocation is a student hoping for a better education, a patient waiting for treatment, a farmer trying to improve a livelihood, or a family seeking a better future,” Secretary Kim emphasized.
He also highlighted the importance of international cooperation and knowledge-sharing, noting that governments can learn from one another’s challenges, setbacks, and successes.
The partnership reflects the shared commitment of DAP and DBM to continuous learning, institutional capacity development, and more accountable public spending. By strengthening the competencies of budget professionals, the PFM Micro-Credentialing Program seeks to support the effective management of public resources and their translation into improved government services.
Also present during the event were DBM Assistant Secretary Gerald R. Janda, DAP Executive Vice President Magdalena Mendoza, and APO Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata.