The Philippines, as the newly-designated Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity, should maintain its competency and leadership role by continuously upgrading to meet world-class standards.
This was declared by former Ambassador Mari Amano, secretary general of the Asian Productivity Organization, during the launching of the Philippines as the 20-country organization’s COE on Public Sector Productivity at the 1st International Conference on Productivity and Innovation last November 26 at Novotel, Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.
Amano said that with the Philippines as the COE on Public Sector Productivity, the APO envisions the country’s implementing and focal organization in this endeavor, the Development Academy of the Philippines, “to become a globally-recognized institution that will advance productivity and innovation in public-sector organizations in the Asia-Pacific region through capability development, research, demonstration of novel solutions, and knowledge sharing.”
DAP congratulated
He congratulated the DAP, which is the National Productivity Organization of the APO in the Philippines, for making it possible for the country to be designated as a new COE by the APO’s governing body, making it just the third country thus far to be accorded such a distinction.
“This recognition should be a source of pride for the government of the Philippines,” Amano said.
Prior to the country’s designation as a COE, only Singapore, which was designated as the COE on Business Excellence in 2009, and the Republic of China, which was chosen as the COE on Green Productivity in 2013, have been accorded the same honor.
Increasing number of projects
Amano revealed that the APO, which was formed in 1961 to contribute to the socioeconomic development of Asia and the Pacific by enhancing productivity in the region, has organized an increasing number of projects in public sector productivity in recent years as it believes that changes and improvements in the public sector “can have significant implications (on) the national economy.” This he said is because the public sector in most countries is the largest employer, and is also a major service provider affecting both the social well-being of the general public and the ability to do business using public resources.
“In this context, it is vital to transform the public sector in terms of relevance, approach, and performance through innovation and improving ways of doing things,” he said.
Amano assured the Philippines of the APO’s financial and technical support as it increases its capacity as the COE on Public Sector Productivity, and also expressed his appreciation to the Philippine government “for its continued support and full participation in APO activities.”