The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), in cooperation with the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), through the Center of Excellence on Public-Sector Productivity (COE-PSP), conducted this year’s first batch of the APO Development of Public Sector Productivity Specialists (APO DPSPS) training program.
The 5-day course was held online last 10-14 July 2023. Thirty-eight participants from twelve APO member countries joined the course, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Turkiye.
Atty. Engelbert C. Caronan Jr., MNSA, President and Chief Executive Officer of DAP, welcomed the participants, emphasizing during his speech the vital role of capability development in enhancing public sector productivity.
During the opening day of the course, Dr. Shin Kim, Senior Research Fellow at the Division of Regulatory Innovation Research, Korea Institute of Public Administration, Republic of Korea, shared an enlightening session on the “Role of the Public Sector and Global Trends in Improving Productivity.” Meanwhile, the “Public-sector Leadership” session was conducted by Dr. D Brian Marson, President of Public Service Excellence Institute Canada.
The following day, Dr. Marson delivered an insightful presentation on “Citizen-centered Service and Opportunities for Improving Public Service Delivery in the New Normal.” At the same time, Dr. Kim talked about “Performance Management,” emphasizing productivity and accountability for results.
A group discussion after the sessions followed. The participants looked into a case study and identified key service performance challenges during the pandemic and the strategies used to maintain excellent service delivery and public trust.
The participants also attended sessions that helped them translate productivity concepts into actionable plans.
On the third day, Dr. Marson delivered a session on the “Development of Productivity Improvement Plans.” At the same time, Mr. Arnel D. Abanto, Vice President of the Productivity and Development Center of the Development Academy of the Philippines, shared his expertise on “Measuring Public-sector Productivity.”
During the fourth day, the participants and the productivity experts engaged in in-depth discussions on concepts and practices of change management, tools and techniques to improve productivity, and the regulations and functions of the government.
In the “Change Management” session, Dr. Marson presented ways to overcome challenges in the change process.
Ms. Magdalena Mendoza, Senior Vice President for Programs of the Development Academy of the Philippines, discussed the “Approaches for Improving Organizational Productivity.” The session highlighted practical tools and techniques for raising efficiency and effectiveness in utilizing resources and operations by public-sector organizations.
In the third session, Dr. Kim presented the basic concepts of “Regulatory Reform” and how the regulations and functions of the government can improve productivity.
On the last day of the APO DPSPS training, Dr. Kim discussed how e-Government could improve the efficiency of public-sector programs, regulations, and services; enhance citizen engagement, including transparency of decision-making and government operations; and reduce the potential for corruption.
Mr. Adam Bert A. Lacay, Information Systems Analyst II from the City Government of Baguio, Philippines, shared their experience building the city’s innovative Command Center and its efforts towards becoming a smart city.
The training program concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Lilia Jadie from the Philippines and closing remarks by Mr. Armand Tristan Suratos, Head of the APO-DAP Secretariat.