At the heart of the Philippines’ public sector, a new generation of leaders is emerging—armed with knowledge, passion, and a commitment to driving meaningful change. These are the 40 scholars of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) Public Management Development Program (PMDP) Middle Managers Class (MMC) Batch 34, known as the Kadluan Class.
“Kadluan,” derived from the word kadlo, meaning “to draw water from a source,” fittingly represents this group. Just as water sustains life, these scholars aspire to be a source of values and principles essential for good governance. Their journey is to embody and champion transparent, ethical, and accountable leadership in the public sector.
A Dynamic and Diverse Cohort
The Kadluan Class is a melting pot of experiences and perspectives. Drawn from 24 distinct government agencies across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, their regional diversity provides a unique lens on the challenges and opportunities faced by various sectors in the Philippines. This diversity adds depth to their learning, enriching the class with valuable perspectives from across the archipelago.
Generational diversity further characterizes the Kadluan Class. Comprising 17 scholars from Generation X, 22 from Generation Y, and one from Generation Z, the class balances experience with fresh, innovative ideas. This multi-generational collaboration leads to a dynamic exchange of perspectives, where seasoned professionals share wisdom, while younger members bring creativity and new approaches to development management.
Duke Renz C. Peñaranda from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Regional Office VIII, the youngest scholar at 27, shared, “I intentionally didn’t shave my mustache at first because I was concerned that disclosing my age might affect how my co-scholars treated me. However, I soon realized that respect in this group goes beyond age. We engage as equals, and I’ve had opportunities to lead discussions in my field. This has been an incredibly enriching experience.”
Peñaranda’s insight demonstrates how the class bridges generational gaps, showing that leadership is rooted in knowledge and capability rather than age.
United by Values and a Shared Mission
Despite their varied backgrounds, the Kadluan Class is united by a shared mission: to be exemplars of transformational leadership in public service. Their journey through the PMDP is anchored on values captured in the acronym S.L.I.C.E.: Service, Leadership, Integrity, Collaboration, and Empowerment.
Service lies at the heart of their commitment, ensuring that public services are both accessible and equitable. To them, Leadership in this context isn’t just about taking charge—it’s about leading by example. Integrity keeps them grounded in transparency and accountability, while Collaboration encourages them to build strong relationships with their peers, stakeholders, and communities. Finally, Empowerment inspires them to delegate authority and foster active participation from citizens in public governance.
For many scholars, the Program represents a transformational shift. Nery B. Aspili from the Commission on Audit (COA) reflects, “As a leader, I once romanticized the notion of working alone. However, the Kadluan Class taught me the importance of collaboration. I’ve come to realize that when we work together, the results are always better. This experience has helped me grow into a more effective leader and public servant.”
Through this shared commitment to values and collaboration, the Kadluan Class is not just learning to lead—they are cultivating a community that will drive impactful change in public service.
Leadership and the Road Ahead
The scholars of MMC Batch 34 are divided into seven learning teams, each representing a core leadership principle: Kinaadman (Knowledge), Abilidad (Talent), Dalumat (Critical Thinking), Liwanag (Enlightenment), Ugnayan (Collaboration), Alab (Passion), and Ningas (Initiative). These teams serve as the backbone of their learning experience, allowing the scholars to collaborate and engage deeply with these values.
For Rozzanne Victoria G. Buccat-Villamin of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), the principle of Alab—meaning passion or flame—resonates most. “Alab symbolizes the burning fervor and yearning for an ideal. Throughout our journey, we have faced daunting tasks and moments of doubt. However, remembering our passion for service and learning fuels our determination to continue. When motivation wanes, I find guidance in my love for our country and my commitment to public service.”
The value of Ugnayan—or collaboration—was key in shaping the leadership style of many scholars. Jahensi E. Supanga from the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) recalled a pivotal moment during the Public Policy Analysis module, where her team worked on a policy brief for marine environmental conservation. “It was an incredibly draining module. We had disagreements and clashes of ideas, but ultimately, I learned the importance of stepping back and allowing others to lead when necessary. Leadership isn’t just about taking charge; it’s about knowing when to relinquish control for the betterment of the team.”
As these scholars embrace their leadership roles, they are not only equipping themselves with essential skills but also fostering a culture of collaboration that will empower them to tackle the complex challenges of public service head-on.
Vision for the Future
Just past their midterm, the Kadluan cohort is gearing up to implement what they’ve learned in their respective agencies. In a world where leadership is often challenged, these future directors of the bureaucracy stand as a beacon of hope, a source of wisdom, and a foundation upon which the future of public service in the Philippines will be built.
Christopher Michael D. Parrilla of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC), explained how the program has been monumental in his personal and professional growth. “The concepts we’ve discussed, from Universal Health Care to public policy, align closely with the core functions of my office at PCMC. I plan to develop a learning and development program for our leaders, incorporating the knowledge I’ve gained here. Additionally, I am committed to reviewing our existing programs to ensure they support our broader goal of healthcare development.”
Parrilla’s dedication to applying his learning reflects the broader goals of the Kadluan Class: to drive meaningful, lasting change in public service. He added, “I’d like to correct my earlier assumption about my participation in this program. Before joining, I doubted that I could fully benefit from it because I work in a hospital. I was completely wrong—hospitals provide healthcare to people, who are a crucial component of our country’s development. I am deeply grateful to DAP PMDP for this opportunity. As Sir Isaac Newton said, ‘If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants!’ and the DAP-PMDP is the giant on whose shoulders I stand.”
Join the Journey of Excellence
As DAP continues to champion leadership and excellence in the public sector, the Academy invites high-performing and high-potential division chiefs to embark on their own transformative journey. Applications are open for the next Middle Managers Class (MMC) Batch 35 until 5 November 2024, with the class beginning on 20 January 2025. The Senior Executives Class (SEC) Batch 14 is also accepting applications until 5 December 2024, and will start on 17 February 2025.
For more information, visit our website at https://pmdp.dap.edu.ph/. For application related inquiries, contact us through email pmdp.admissions@dap.edu.ph, mobile at 0969 586 7046, and landline at (02) 8631-0921 locals 125 to 127.