Quezon City, Philippines –  The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), as the Asian Productivity Organization’s Center of Excellence on Public-Sector Productivity, concluded Powering Productivity 2025 on 11 November 2025, celebrating transformative wins under this year’s theme: “Paper-less.”

Launched to encourage agencies to revisit outdated, paper-heavy systems, the 2025 Productivity Challenge called on public-sector institutions to save one million sheets of paper within 12 months. The response exceeded all expectations.

A total of 104 national government agencies and local government units submitted 153 entries, collectively saving 379,780,431 sheets, equivalent to 759,561 reams—and resulting in an estimated ?162.4 million in gains from reduced printing, storage, and process inefficiencies.

Recognizing Outstanding Public Sector Innovators

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) emerged as the 2025 Paper-less Champion, earning top honors for two flagship digital solutions—the SEC Zuper Easy Registration Online (SEC ZERO) and the Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST).

By fully digitizing company registration and report filing, SEC eliminated paper use in two of its most utilized services, enabling 24/7 online submissions and saving more than 216 million pages or 433,000 reams—equivalent to ?93 million in cost savings in just one year. SEC’s success reaffirms how strategic leadership and digital transformation can directly benefit citizens and industries.

DAP also recognized agencies whose initiatives significantly promoted productivity and innovation:

Paper-less Finalists: Philippine Statistics Authority; Department of the Interior and Local Government 

Creative Paper-less Solution: Department of Education – Schools Division Office of Olongapo 

Fastbreak Special Citation: Social Security System 

Productivity Spark: Outstanding Idea for Productivity: Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office III 

Recognized for remarkable paper reduction: Social Security System, City Government of Cagayan de Oro, Camarines Norte State College, Maritime Industry Authority, Department of Foreign Affairs, Government Service Insurance System, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Budget and Management, Batangas State University, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Office of the Vice President, Quezon City Government, City Government of Davao, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Bukidnon State University, Southern Leyte State University, Department of Education, Region II Trauma and Medical Center, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. 

Recognized for multiple paper-saving initiatives: Southern Leyte State University, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Philippine Ports Authority, Office of the Vice President, Department of Education, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government. 

A Growing Productivity Movement 

Now on its third cycle, the Productivity Challenge continues to reflect the growing commitment of Philippine government agencies to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and modernize services.

With the Paper-less Challenge completed, DAP now advances to the next phase: the “Moneywise – ?1 Billion Pesos Saved Challenge,” which will cover January 2024 to August 2026. This next cycle will focus on financial prudence, encouraging agencies to showcase innovative cost-saving strategies that optimize resources and ensure that government spending directly benefits the Filipino people.

A Call to Continue Innovating for Better Governance

In his closing remarks, DAP Acting President and CEO Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian commended agencies for proving that small, intentional improvements—such as reducing paper use—can lead to substantial gains. He encouraged participants to sustain the momentum, noting that innovation “must be purposeful, strategic, and always in service of the Filipino people.”

Aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, the Productivity Challenge supports the government’s broader goals of reducing inefficiencies, accelerating digitalization, and cultivating a culture of continuous improvement across all levels of the public sector.

What began as 1,224 ideas in 2023 has evolved into millions of hours saved in 2024, and hundreds of millions of sheets eliminated in 2025—proof that impactful change does not always require sweeping reforms. Sometimes, it begins with one idea, one action, one sheet saved.

At its core, the Productivity Challenge continues to embody DAP’s mission: helping the government innovate, cut waste, and deliver better service for all Filipinos.

To know more about the Productivity Challenge Program, visit: https://productivitychallenge.dap.edu.ph/