ICYMI: The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), through its Center for CES Development (CCD), hosted the Public Management Development Program (PMDP) LeadCon 2024 on February 1 and 2, drawing 389 alumni at the DAP Conference Center in Tagaytay City. The two-day event was bannered by fellowship and knowledge-building activities focused on digitalization and human-centric approaches, driving home a unified vision for public service enhancement.

 

Department of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, represented by Asec.  Niño Raymond Alvina,   kickstarted proceedings with a call for streamlined digital efforts across agencies, emphasizing unified policy direction to expedite public service delivery.  The event featured the unveiling of digitalized capstone projects and a ceremonial graduation for virtual PMDP batches, who navigated challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Noteworthy alumni were recognized for outstanding performance and adherence to public service standards, with recipients of “Tatag” and “Dangal” awards celebrated for impactful contributions.  Additionally, numerous alumni achieving third-level positions received the “Galing” award, reflecting the program’s commitment to fostering professional growth.

The second day saw 11 distinguished speakers from local and international government arena delving into pertinent topics under the theme. Director Kiyoung Ko of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) led discussions on human-centric digitalization, followed by panels on Digital Governance Journeys in Asia, and parallel sessions exploring specialized digitalization topics. 

Closing remarks by Usec. David Almirol, Jr., of the Department of Information and Communications Technology emphasized the imperative of embracing digitalization for improved public services, echoing President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s vision.  Almirol outlined ongoing eGovernment projects, prioritizing sectors like Tourism, Health, and Commerce.