Some 32 local government executives from across four provinces, eight cities, and 18 municipalities, presented their innovation proposals during the culminating activity of Course 5 under the Local Government Executives and Managers Class (LGEMC) Batch 17 “Busilak.” 

The LGEMC is implemented by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), through the Center for Governance – Local Governance and Development Office (CFG-LGDO), and is designed to equip local leaders with knowledge, tools, and frameworks to develop innovative and citizen-responsive solutions to today’s  pressing governance challenges. 

Held from July 24 to August 2, 2025 at the DAP Conference Center in Tagaytay City, Course 5 provided intensive training on design thinking, systems analysis, and community engagement. It guided the scholars through the process of  identifying critical issues and designing responsive, inclusive, and sustainable interventions that address sectoral  priorities such as learning and education, health, food, and agribusiness, finance, manufacturing and trade, transportation and logistics, public administration, security and defense, energy, the blue economy, water resource management, and solid waste management.

Mr. Peter Dan B. Baon, Program Director of the CFG Center of Excellence – Public Sector Productivity delivering Sessions on Contextualizing the Problem and Ideating for Solutions 

Proposals were presented to a panel of experts under the leadership of the Course 5 Faculty-in-Charge, CFG Vice President Imelda C. Caluen, together with LGDO Director Jannis T. Montañez, Zuellig Family Foundation President Austere Panadero, and Galing Pook Foundation Chairperson Mel Senen Sarmiento. 

Center for Governance Vice President Imelda C. Caluen delivers Session on Logical Framework to firm up innovation project ideas

Mr. Muksin Ibrahim III of Brooke’s Point Palawan presents the project management cycle during the Session on Logical Framework

Directors from the CFG also served as program representatives, providing technical guidance during the concept design and logical framework development phase. Upon successful vetting, the proposals will be formalized as Innovation Project Concepts (IPCs) for implementation in coordination with their respective local institutions. 

Batch 17 Busilak with Officers of the Center for Governance | [L-R] Director Maria Rosario A. Ablan (Harmonization of National, Government Performance, Information, Monitoring, and Reporting System), Director Jannis T. Montañez (Local Governance and Development Office, Vice President Imelda C. Caluen (Center for Governance), Director Gilbert E. Lumantao (Policy Research Office), Ms. Michelle N. Belga (LGEMC Program Manager) 

The wide-ranging proposals of Batch “Busilak” reflect the continued commitment of local leaders to transform governance practices and deliver high-impact public service in different sectors. Since its inception, the LGEMC has generated 366 IPCs– many of which have already been implemented–fostering a more responsive, resilient, and citizen-centered local governance landscape.

For more information about the PMDP-LGEMC, visit:
https://pmdp.dap.edu.ph/local-government-executives-and-managers-class-lgemc/