Category: News

On April 10, 2025, Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Secretary-General, Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata, paid a courtesy visit to DAP Board of Trustees Chair and National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) Building in Pasig City.

Dr. Singawinata was accompanied by DAP Officer-in-Charge Magdalena L. Mendoza, APO Liaison Officer for the Philippines Armand Tristan Suratos, and APO Head for In-Country Programs Division Arsyoni Buana. The visit highlighted the strengthening of APO-DAP collaboration in addressing current challenges and advancing productivity as a pathway to sustainable and inclusive socioeconomic development across Asia and the Pacific.

The courtesy visit also coincided with the DAP site visit and activities for the Centers of Excellence (COE) Forum: Strengthening Platforms for Enhancing Productivity, which runs from April 9 to 11, 2025. The COE Forum serves as a vital platform for exchanging best practices, addressing common challenges, and exploring opportunities for innovation and cooperation among Centers of Excellence.

Participants include COE heads and National Productivity Organization representatives from Taiwan, Japan, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam.

This article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/apo-secretary-general-pays-courtesy-visit-to-dap-bot-chairperson/

The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), in collaboration with the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), hosted the Centers of Excellence (COE) Forum from April 9 to 11, 2025, in Parañaque City. Centered on the theme “Strengthening Platforms for Enhancing Productivity,” the three-day forum brought together COE leaders, policymakers, and international experts to exchange insights, share best practices, and showcase innovations in excellence management to advance productivity across the region.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary and APO Director for the Philippines, Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, and APO Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata delivered the opening remarks. Richard Clarke, President of Avenidor Consults in Canada, shared global productivity trends and performance strategies for COEs.

Key sessions included a presentation on global COE developments, a roundtable discussion among COE heads, and site visits to the DAP as COE on Public-Sector Productivity and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

The forum aimed to promote cross-country collaboration, enhance performance assessment strategies, and shape the strategic direction of COEs across the region. Participating COEs included:

  • COE on IT for Industry 4.0 – National Productivity Council, India
  • COE on Green Productivity – China Productivity Center, Republic of China
  • COE on Smart Manufacturing – China Productivity Center, Republic of China
  • COE on Climate-Smart Agriculture – National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Japan
  • COE on Public-Sector Productivity – Development Academy of the Philippines
  • Japan Productivity Center
  • Virtual University of Pakistan
  • National Productivity Organization, Pakistan
  • Commission for Standards, Metrology, and Quality of Vietnam (STAMEQ)

In her closing remarks, DAP Officer-in-Charge and Senior Vice President for Programs Magdalena L. Mendoza emphasized the importance of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and sustaining excellence as a shared responsibility among Centers of Excellence. She thanked APO, partners, and organizers for contributing to the forum’s success. She highlighted the Philippines’ commitment to advancing productivity and prosperity across the Asia-Pacific region. OIC Mendoza concluded by encouraging continued partnerships and affirmed that DAP will always be a home for future collaboration.

The event reaffirmed DAP’s strong commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration among Centers of Excellence, with the shared goal of improving productivity and strengthening performance assessment strategies in various sectors throughout Asia.

The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP),  as the focal organization of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Center of Excellence on Public-Sector Productivity, successfully concluded the Upskilling Phase of the 2025 Development of Public-Sector Productivity Specialists Foundation Course (DPSPSFC) on March 28, 2025.

Held from March 24 to 28, the upskilling phase brought together public sector productivity champions from 11 national government agencies, attached agencies, state universities and colleges, and one local government unit. This intensive training is part of a multi-phase program that builds the capability of public sector professionals to design and implement productivity improvement initiatives in their respective institutions. 

The DPSPS Foundation Course is one of DAP’s key interventions in support of the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, aiming to enhance public sector performance.

A highlight of the week was the site visit and case presentation at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), where participants learned about the SEC’s productivity initiatives—including Digital-All: IT’s Grin and Green, the Unified Company Database, and Sustaina-All: EMIL. The visit provided concrete insights on how digitalization and sustainability are being integrated into public sector operations.

To cap off the training, participants presented their Productivity Improvement Plans (PIPs) before their peers and course coaches—receiving feedback and direction as they move into the next phase, where they will pitch and pilot their initiatives within their agencies.

As the course progresses, participants are expected to apply their learning to help build a more agile, responsive, and innovative public sector.

The article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/public-sector-productivity-champions-complete-upskilling-phase-of-2025-dpsps-foundation-course/

The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), as the focal organization of the Asian Productivity Organization’s Center of Excellence on Public-Sector Productivity, conducted the second batch of the 2025 Productivity Challenge Workshop Series on April 2, 2025, at the DAP Building in Pasig City.

A total of 28 participants from 10 government agencies took part in the workshop, which offered a hands-on learning experience on diagnosing productivity challenges and crafting innovative, context-specific solutions. Participants were guided through practical tools and approaches aimed at enhancing efficiency and service delivery in the public sector.

Discover more about the Productivity Challenge and explore its exciting campaigns:

Productivity Spark: https://productivitychallenge.dap.edu.ph/productivity-spark/
Fastbreak: https://productivitychallenge.dap.edu.ph/fastbreak/
Paper-less: https://productivitychallenge.dap.edu.ph/2025-paper-less/ 

#ProductivityChallengeWorkshop #PublicSectorProductivity #DAP

The article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/dap-holds-second-leg-of-the-2025-productivity-challenge-workshop-series/



The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), as the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity, held a two-day webinar titled “SMART Work Design: Enhancing Employee Well-being for Improved Public-Sector Productivity” on March 19-20, 2025. The event, which drew over 1,200 participants, focused on innovative human resources practices to tackle evolving public sector challenges.

On the first day, Dr. Maria Vida Caparas, Human Resources Director at the Senate of the Philippines, introduced the SMART Work Design framework. She connected it to Hackman and Oldham’s Job Characteristics Model, illustrating how it strengthens employee engagement, motivation, and job satisfaction. Dr. Caparas shared practical approaches like job enrichment, rotation, and expansion to combat workplace issues such as disengagement and quiet quitting.

The second day featured Dr. Virgel Binghay, Professor and Director at the University of the Philippines’ Center for Industry Productivity and Competitiveness, School of Labor and Industrial Relations. He demonstrated how the application of the SMART Work Design can drive efficiency, autonomy, and meaningful work in government settings. Addressing barriers like bureaucratic resistance and resource limitations, Dr. Binghay recommended leadership support, data-driven advocacy, and incremental implementation. He also stressed the importance of process reorganization, cross-functional collaboration, and technology adaptation to drive innovation and improve public sector productivity.

The webinar equipped participants with strategies to boost employee well-being and organizational performance through SMART Work Design, underscoring DAP’s ongoing mission to cultivate innovation and productivity across the public sector.

The article is originally posted on : https://dap.edu.ph/dap-holds-webinar-on-smart-work-design-for-public-sector-productivity/

The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), as the focal organization for the Asian Productivity Organization’s Center of Excellence on Public-Sector Productivity, successfully launched the first batch of the 2025 Productivity Challenge Workshop Series.

Held 18 March 2025 at the DAP Building in Pasig City, Batch 1 gathered 43 participants from 15 government agencies. The workshop is designed to equip participants with practical techniques for diagnosing productivity challenges and introduce tools to help craft innovative, tailored solutions for the public sector.

The article is originally poste on: https://dap.edu.ph/dap-kicks-off-2025-productivity-challenge-workshop-series/

Tarlac City, Philippines—The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), as the focal organization for the Asian Productivity Organization’s (APO) Center of Excellence on Public-Sector Productivity (COE-PSP), conducted a five-day workshop titled “Strengthening the Public Service Value Chain” for the Department of Education (DepEd) – Region III leaders on January 20-24, 2025.

The workshop aimed to enhance productivity and improve service delivery by equipping participants with tools and strategies to optimize their public service value chain. Some 36 supervisors, division chiefs, and superintendents engaged in collaborative discussions and hands-on activities, focusing on value chain mapping, efficiency measurement, and the elimination of inefficiencies. The workshop was facilitated by COE-PSP Program Director Peter Dan Baon, culminating in the development of a comprehensive public service value chain for DepEd Region III.

In his message, DepEd Region III Officer-in-Charge Regional Director, Dr. Ronnie S. Mallari, CESO V, emphasized resilience, intellectual growth, and innovation as the cornerstones of productivity, urging participants to transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

The workshop concluded with participants reflecting on their roles in enhancing education service delivery. Balanga City Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Maylene Minimo, EdD, highlighted the importance of accountability and timeliness in achieving organizational goals. Olongapo City OIC-Schools Division Superintendent Imelda Macaspac, PhD, shared how the workshop equipped her to guide her team in identifying inefficiencies that directly impact their goals. Chief Education Supervisor Amando Yutuc, PhD, emphasized the need to streamline processes within the Curriculum Implementation Division, a sentiment echoed by Human Resource Development Division Chief William Bacani, who underscored the importance of collaboration in achieving organizational objectives.

DAP President and CEO Majah-Leah V. Ravago, PhD, expressed her gratitude to the participants and encouraged them to apply their learnings in building a resilient and prosperous society. She reminded them of their critical roles in shaping Filipino learners, empowering communities, and creating meaningful impact.

This successful workshop highlights the strong partnership between DAP and DepEd and their shared commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in public service.

The article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/dap-empowers-deped-region-iii-leaders-to-strengthen-public-service-value-chain/

About the Tool

SCAMPER is a creative thinking and problem-solving technique to enhance ideas, products, processes, or services. It looks at different aspects of a problem using the seven thinking approaches:

  • Substitute: What elements can be replaced or substituted to improve the idea or product?
  • Combine: How can you combine this idea with other materials or resources to produce something new?
  • Adapt: How could you adapt or adjust your organization’s input, process, or output (product or service) to serve another purpose or use?
  • Modify (or Magnify, Minimize): What could you add to modify your organization’s input, process, or output (product or service)?
  • Purpose: How can you use this idea differently or for another purpose?
  • Eliminate: What elements can be removed to simplify or streamline the idea?
  • Reverse (or Rearrange): What can you reverse or rearrange to generate a new perspective?

SCAMPER is often used in brainstorming sessions to stimulate creative thinking and explore alternative solutions. It is a versatile tool that analyzes all possible angles and encourages thinking outside the box.

Purpose: Ideation

Estimated Time Needed: 30 minutes

Target Participants or Users: Change Managers, Program Managers, Operations Managers, Planning Officers, Process Planners, Policymakers, Service Designers

How to Use the Tool

Steps:

  1. Let the participants select an existing input, process, or output (product or service) that they want to improve, one that they are currently having problems with, or one that they think could be a good starting point for future development.
  2. Ask questions about the input, process, or output (product or service) they have identified, using the mnemonic SCAMPER to guide them. Brainstorm as many questions and answers as they can.

Sample SCAMPER Template


Sample SCAMPER Activity

About the Tool

Opposite thinking is a tool that helps teams arrive at creative ideas by looking at a problem or situation from a new perspective. This tool is a great brainstorming technique for thinking outside the box. It can stimulate creativity, enhance problem-solving, and provide a fresh perspective on challenges.

Opposite thinking is helpful when launching a new initiative or attempting to resolve a complex problem. By examining situations from a different angle, the tool helps identify hidden assumptions or aspects that may have been overlooked. Opposite thinking also enhances learning from experiences by extracting valuable lessons that can guide future approaches to similar situations. Anyone looking to improve their problem-solving abilities or creative thinking can benefit from using opposite thinking tools. This way of thinking encourages stepping out of comfort zones to explore unconventional solutions and make more well-rounded decisions.

Purpose: Ideation

Estimated Time Needed: 30 minutes

Target Participants or Users: Change Managers, Program Managers, Operations Managers, Planning Officers, Policymakers, Service Designers

How to Use the Tool

Steps:

  1. Identify the problem or challenge.
  2. Write assumptions related to the challenge you are trying to solve. These assumptions could be about current customers’ beliefs, behaviors, needs, preferences, technology limitations, and the context in which they interact with a product or service.
  3. For each assumption, write an opposite statement. These opposite statements can be a minor change, a removal of a specific element, an exaggeration of elements or the whole situation, or the total opposite of the situation. Think about the opposite statements you have written and how they affect the problem or challenge.
  4. In the third column, write potential solutions for these opposite statements.
  5. Review all the proposed solutions.

Sample Opposite Thinking

A. Sample Template

B. Sample Opposite Thinking Output

References:

  1. Board of Innovation (2024). Opposite Thinking. https://www.boardofinnovation.com/tools/opposite-thinking/
  2. Interaction Design Foundation. Assumptions in UX/UI Design. https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/assumptions

About the Tool

Crazy Eights is a core method in design sprints that serves as a fast sketching exercise, allowing participants to generate eight different ideas in just eight minutes. The primary purpose of Crazy Eights is to encourage participants to go beyond their initial, often less innovative, ideas and explore a wide range of potential solutions to a given challenge or problem.

The exercise focuses not on creating flawless designs but on allowing creative ideas to flourish. In team settings, Crazy Eights proves particularly valuable, as it generates various unique ideas that can be further developed in subsequent brainstorming sessions. Crazy Eights is an effective way to stimulate creativity and foster collaboration.

Purpose: Ideation

Estimated Time Needed: 8 minutes

Target Participants or Users: Change Managers, Program Managers, Planning Officers, Process Planners, Service Designers

How to Use the Tool

Steps

  1. Let every participant understand the challenge statement (“How might we..?)that needs to be solved.
  2. Have team members draw on paper. Each team member folds their piece of paper into eight sections.
  3. Designate a team member as the timer, setting an alarm for 1 minute for each round.
  4. Each member should sketch an idea in one section using icons and shapes. The sketches don’t have to be perfect or polished; they just need to convey the idea effectively. Write captions to explain.
  5. Stop drawing after 1 minute. Repeat this process until all sections are completed.
  6. Share ideas by posting completed papers on the board and having each team discuss their work.

Template Crazy Eights

Sample Crazy Eights

Design Sprints (n.d.). Crazy 8’s. https://designsprintkit.withgoogle.com/methodology/phase3-sketch/crazy-8s