The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) has continued to graduate health champions for the country in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), Assistant Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial said as she read Secretary Janette Loreto-Garin’s speech. This is despite the government’s failure to meet two of three Millennium Development goals related to health.
Secretary Garin was the supposed guest speaker when some 76 Doctor to the Barrios (DTTB) graduates of the Master in Public Management in Health Systems and Development of the DAP Graduate School received their diplomas during graduation rites held at the DAP Conference Center (DAPCC) on October 22, 2015. The graduates constituted the 31st batch of young doctors from all the 17 regions of the country who earned their master’s degree specializing in health systems and development.
This year’s graduation also marked the 22nd year of implementation of the program since it was first launched by Dr. Juan Flavier, health secretary of the Ramos administration, in 1993.
The graduating batch received its baptism of fire in the wake of the Yolanda super typhoon that wreaked unprecedented casualty, damage and health challenges in Leyte and adjacent provinces.
The DAP Graduate School, according to its dean, Dr. Gloria Jumamil-Mercado, offers masteral programs in public management with major in various fields of development concern to high-potential senior and middle-ranking members of the Philippine bureaucracy. This is with the view of equipping government officials with the needed development perspective and skills critical to effective delivery of public services.
Bernardo Dizon, DAP OIC, also welcomed the 31st batch of Doctors to the Barrios and reiterated the Academy’s continuing efforts to further national development. This is by building institutions and equipping leaders in their mandated capacities as catalysts of change and capacity builders. (S.A.Mable)