The Public Management Development Program (PMDP) held the 26th Graduation Ceremony for the Middle Managers Class (MMC) Batch 28 – Hiraya and Senior Executives Class (SEC) Batch 11 – GaBayAni at the DAP Conference Center in Tagaytay City on March 17, 2023, the first joint in person graduation rites after the COVID-19 pandemic.
DAP President and CEO, Atty. Engelbert Caronan, Jr., in his welcome remarks, underscored the importance of being adaptive and resilient and how these skills have been vital in effectively addressing the current and emerging needs of the people the graduates serve.
“It is our hope that you may embody the ideals and values we shared with you in your stay in the DAP… remember that apart from being executives and managers, you are public sector leaders. As such, you are expected to also be a source of inspiration, hope, and guidance, especially in difficult times,” Caronan told them.
“I am confident that you will be able to reach and even surpass your vision of becoming a dynamic, inclusive, innovative breed of public leaders imbued with competence and desirable values towards sustainable, resilient communities for a stronger Philippines, he added.
Keynote Speaker
DOH OIC-Secretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire delivers her keynote speech
Department of Health OIC-Secretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire served as the keynote speaker. She commended the graduates for succeeding despite the challenges brought about the pandemic which affected the delivery of learning. Vergeire reminded them that in fulfilling their duties, they must regularly envision the kind of leadership they ought to practice – the kind where those in high positions walk alongside the people, guiding each other towards a brighter Philippines.
Academic and Special Awardees
DAP President and CEO, Atty. Engelbert Caronan, Jr., conferred and awarded the 53 graduates (32 from MMC Batch 28-Hiraya, 18 from SEC Batch 11-GaBayAni, two from MMC Batch 24-Kawayan, and one from MMC Batch 27-Udaya) with their respective academic equivalencies. PMDP Managing Director Nanette C. Caparros presented the academic and special awards the exceptional graduates.
Leonerico Barredo, of the Department of Education-Region VI, led MMC-Batch 28 as the Class Valedictorian while Heidee Ferrer (DepEd-NCR), Glenn D. Estrada (Department of Agriculture-Central Office), Ma. Regaele Olarte (DepEd-NCR), and Jenelyn Sanchez (Department of Labor and Employment-Region XI) graduated With Honors.
Meanwhile, Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño, of National Economic and Development Authority- Region X, emerged as SEC Batch 11 Class Valedictorian while Noreen Bernadette San Luis-Lutey (Land Transportation Office-Region IV (CALABARZON), Jaypee O. Abesamis (Governance Commission for GOCCs), Jennifer C. Bretaña (Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development-Region XII), and Joel B. Lopez (DepEd- Region I) graduated With Honors.
The PMDP also recognized the scholars who have significantly demonstrated distinct leadership characteristics through the Leadership Award. Glenn Estrada of MMC Batch 28 and Francis Randy J. Hortelano (Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority) of SEC Batch 11, received the Leadership Award.
Best Capstone
The Program also recognized the graduates’ capstone projects and papers. The overall Best Capstone Project Award for MMC Batch 28 was bagged by Glenn Estrada while the SEC 11 Capstone Paper awardees include Jaypee Abesamis for Outstanding Capstone Paper-Policy Paper, Nancy Ann Gonzales (Ifugao State University) for Outstanding Capstone Paper-Management Case, and Joel Lopez and Mylah Cariño for Outstanding Capstone Papers – Innovation Project.
Valedictory Addresses
MMC Batch 28 Class Valedictorian Leonerico Barredo recounted the challenges they faced, one of the batches that experienced a full virtual learning engagement, and how they adapted to the situation. He also shared five guiding principles with his fellow PMDP graduates: 1) to be enthusiastic, persevere or “Masigasig” in all their undertakings especially in pursuing their call to render the client-centered services in their offices; 2) to be patriotic or “Makabayan” in all their actions, taking into foremost consideration the interest of the public; 3) to be strong and stable or “Matatag” in their thoughts and decisions; 4) to be great leaders or “Dakilang lider ng bansa” who will embody the ideals of phronetic leadership that will pursue innovations in their workplace; and 5) to be a ray of hope or “Sinag ng Pag-asa” who will shed light and guidance to their respective organizations thereby contributing toward the attainment of their goals and objectives.
On the other hand, SEC Batch 11 Class Valedictorian Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño shared how hesitant she was to apply in the SEC. She said it was the COVID-19 pandemic brought her to the Program as she thought that she did not have the experience or the tools to lead an agency in charge of rehabilitation and recovery in dealing with the adverse impacts of this novel health crisis. She also reminisced their journey as a class and paid tribute to her SEC 11 batchmates describing them as intelligent, smart, creative, and deeply committed public servants, who inspire or spur people to give their best.
“We are 18 individuals, with 18 different stories but together, as a class, through our interactions and experiences, we managed to weave a colorful tapestry that provided comfort to all of us during the difficult classes”, Cariño said.
