The Development Academy of the Philippines, through its Graduate School of Public and Development Management (DAP-GSPDM), hosted the latest session of its Dekalogo: The Green Mandate series of sustainability governance lectures last September 11, 2025. 

With the theme building a circular economy through sustainable production and consumption, the session, moderated by DAP-GSPDM Research Fellow Dr. Teodoro Lloydon C. Bautista, ignited dynamic discussions and encouraged the exchange of ideas among participants on how to collectively advance sustainability in governance and everyday life.

DAP Acting President and CEO Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian, CESO I, opened the event with a message urging participants to engage in meaningful dialogue on sustainable resource governance. In her welcome remarks, DAP-GSPDM Dean Dr. Lizan E. Perante-Calina, DPA, emphasized the importance of rethinking economic development so that it becomes restorative and sustainable rather than wasteful and extractive.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Dr. Choy Yee Keong, Senior Research Fellow at the Faculty of Economics, Keio University, who brought an international perspective through his presentation, “Circularity in the Anthropocene: Redesigning Development for a Resilient Planet — Lessons from Japan.” Dr. Choy examined how the relentless pursuit of economic growth contributes to global crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ocean acidification.

Drawing from Japan’s experience, Dr. Choy presented a case study demonstrating the effectiveness of a multi-scale, integrated policy framework that includes robust national laws, high recycling rates, delayed material degradation, and highly efficient waste management systems. His lecture underscored how diverse governance approaches, grounded in resilience, can serve as a model for the Philippines and inspire government initiatives to strengthen sustainability.

To conclude the event, Dr. Eduardo T. Gonzales, Research Fellow of DAP-GSPDM, synthesized the discussion and left participants with practical recommendations for sustainable living—highlighting the need to build on existing national foundations as a pathway toward permanent and transformative change.

Through this session of Dekalogo: The Green Mandate, the DAP-GSPDM reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainable and progressive development for a brighter, more resilient future for the Philippines.