Quezon City, August 30, 2024 — The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) co-hosted the “Conference on Open Innovation in the Public Sector” from August 28 to 29, 2024, at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, drawing nearly 300 delegates from 17 APO-member economies. The event highlighted its international significance in advancing government innovation.

Key figures opened the conference with warm welcomes: Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and chairperson of the DAP Board; Dr. Jose Elvinia, head of APO-Multi-Country Programs Division 2; and Dr. Majah-Leah V. Ravago, DAP president and chief executive officer.

During the two-day event, speakers presented and discussed strategies for enhancing innovation within government operations. Dr. Atreyi Kankanhalli from the National University of Singapore kicked off the sessions by exploring inside-out and outside-in innovation, emphasizing the critical role of user-driven innovations and the need for public-sector organizations to leverage the creativity and insights of citizens and external partners.

Next, Dr. Michiko Iizuka of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Japan examined the complexities of integrating open innovation through public-private partnerships. She outlined key challenges and offered strategies to foster effective collaboration.

Director Diane Gail L. Maharjan of NEDA presented frameworks and policies designed to cultivate a robust innovation ecosystem within the public sector. Her session provided essential strategies for nurturing an environment conducive to innovation.

Alexandru Oprunenco, regional innovation advisor at the United Nations Development Programme in Thailand, introduced system-based and collaboration-based approaches to innovation, advocating for a diversified approach to address the multifaceted challenges public-sector organizations face.

Angela Hanson from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development-Observatory of Public Sector Innovation concluded the presentations with insights on fostering a culture of open innovation. She stressed the importance of empowering middle managers to lead innovation efforts, highlighting the need for them to have the authority, courage, and resources to drive meaningful change.

The conference also featured panel discussions and case studies, providing practical insights into successfully applying open innovation principles.

This article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/dap-apo-host-landmark-conference-on-open-innovation-in-the-public-sector/

Tagaytay City, Philippines — The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), serving as the country’s focal organization for the Asian Productivity Organization’s (APO) Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity (COE-PSP), successfully conducted the “ImagineGovPH: Citizen Innovators for Better Public Service” innovation sprint contest on August 16-17, 2024. The initiative provided a dynamic platform for developing innovative ideas and practical solutions aimed at improving public service delivery by reducing transaction hours.

Ten teams, consisting of students and individuals from both the public and private sectors,  participated in a two-day workshop. The event focused on refining their proposed solutions to address real community needs. The teams included representatives from the Department of Education-Central Office, Department of Education-Schools Division Office of Antipolo City, Department of Education-Schools Division of Olongapo City, Alliance of Competent Young Movers, Pangasinan State University, Senate of the Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Local Government Unit of Cardona, Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila, and Alliance of Competent Young Movers.

Four standout finalists emerged from the workshop with the following innovative ideas:

  1. DoseRx Medivance by Senior High School Students from Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila
  2. Crowdpoint by Usher Technologies Inc.
  3. Queuewise by PUP Pylon TBI
  4. TECH-LEAP: Transforming education through capacity building and high-tech systems for digital literacy, efficiency, advancement, and proficiency by the Department of Education – Schools Division of Olongapo City

The grand winner of the ImagineGovPH contest will be announced during the culminating event scheduled for November 2024.

This article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/daps-imaginegovph-innovation-sprint-sparks-solutions-to-streamline-public-service-delivery/


DAP President and CEO, Dr. Majah-Leah Ravago (Right), and DAP Center For Governance Vice President Imelda C. Caluen (Left) present an award to Engr. Jose Arnold M. Tan, PhD (Center), Former Deputy Executive Director Of The Bureau Of Local Government Finance (BLGF), following his presentation at the LGEMC 2nd Local Government Practitioners’ Learning Forum in Bataan.

The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) presented the results of a study on measuring the productivity of local revenue generation at the Local Government Executives and Managers Class’ 2nd Local Government Practitioners’ Learning Forum, held on July 13 in Bagac, Bataan.

Engr. Jose Arnold M. Tan, PhD, former deputy executive director of the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), led the presentation, emphasizing the importance of measuring productivity in local revenue generation. This initiative, aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, underscores the commitment to improving governance and bureaucratic effectiveness.

Some 17 local government units (LGUs)—including six provinces, six cities, and five municipalities—participated in the study, providing a comprehensive overview of local revenue generation at the subnational level of the Philippine public sector.

The study aimed to estimate the productivity of selected LGUs from 2013 to 2022 by analyzing trends in revenue and expenditure, constructing productivity indices, and identifying factors influencing productivity. It sought to answer the question: How productive are LGUs in delivering public services, particularly through local revenue generation?

The proposed public-sector productivity (PSP) measurement framework was employed, generating Total Factor Productivity (TFP) and Partial Total Factor Productivity (PTFP) to assess the revenue generation productivity of LGUs. The framework considers the total revenue (excluding external sources) and total actual expenditures. Data was sourced from the Electronic Statement of Receipts and Expenditures (eSRE) collected by the BLGF from 2013 to 2022. Only the expenditures of offices involved in revenue-generating activities are included. Values were deflated to 2013 prices using GDP data from the Philippine Statistics Authority to ensure accuracy in comparing values over time.

The results provided a detailed view of trends in revenue and expenditure, productivity indices, and the impact of changes in output and input indices on productivity. The study highlighted the revenue and expenditure profiles of participating LGUs, offering valuable insights into local government performance regarding revenue generation.

The majority of the participating LGUs exhibited a pattern where they generated more outputs while utilizing relatively the same level of inputs, resulting in productive performance within the observed period. Several factors were identified as significant contributors to productivity, including legislative and policy interventions, enhanced revenue-generating activities, and adaptive responses during the pandemic. Initiatives such as the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF), and streamlined business permit processes boosted productivity.

The challenges faced by LGUs, particularly during the pandemic, were also recognized. A reduced number of personnel and lower collections impacted productivity, but adaptive measures such as expanding payment methods and building digital platforms helped mitigate these effects.

Based on the findings, the study recommended collaboration with the BLGF to streamline data collection and adopt the PSP measurement framework across LGUs. It also proposed regular updates to local revenue ordinances and comprehensive annual assessments of revenue operations to optimize human resources utilization and enhance performance. Implementing these recommendations can be vital to optimizing resource use, improving service delivery, and validating agency performance.

This article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/dap-presents-study-on-measuring-productivity-of-local-revenue-generation-at-lgemc-forum/

Pasig City, 31 July 2024 —The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), as the focal organization of the Asian Productivity Organization’s (APO) Center of Excellence on Public-Sector Productivity (COE-PSP), hosted a knowledge and experience-sharing session for the seven participating agencies of the Development of Public-Sector Productivity Specialists Foundation Course (DPSPSFC).

Representatives from the Department of Science and Technology, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Department of Energy, Department of Public Works and Highways , National Economic and Development Authority, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and Department of Justice attended the session. The participants showcased initial gains and progress in their productivity improvement plans (PIP) through videos and in-depth presentations, addressing various areas such as process digitalization and automation, project monitoring, and records management systems. 

During the spotlight sessions, participants provided detailed presentations on their projects, discussing the narrative behind them and the challenges they encountered. These challenges included stakeholders’ resistance to change, aligning new systems with existing processes, employee perceptions of increased workload, scheduling difficulties, and funding limitations. Participants also shared valuable lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of setting realistic goals, conducting thorough root cause analysis, maintaining persistent follow-ups with leaders, continuous team communication, and securing top management buy-in. These insights were used to refine their projects

Selected representatives from PUP and NCIP expressed gratitude and reflected on the program and their experiences. They appreciated the support and guidance received, which enabled substantial progress despite initial limitations and challenges.

In her message, DAP Senior Vice President for Programs Magdalena L. Mendoza emphasized the need for agents of change within the public sector. She encouraged the participants to innovate, generate new ideas, and effectively utilize government resources to improve the lives of Filipinos.


Similarly, DAP Center for Governance Vice President Imelda C. Caluen recognized the participants’ achievements in their PIPs and highlighted the event’s importance as a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration. She urged participants to align their efforts with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, stressing that the journey to transformation and excellence continues. 


The DPSPSFC, offered by the DAP COE-PSP, provides specialized training in planning, problem-solving, measurement, and analysis to enhance organizational productivity across government agencies.

This article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/dap-hosts-dpspsfc-knowledge-sharing-session/

The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), through its Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity (COE-PSP), hosted the fifth and final episode of the Productivity Insights series on July 18, 2024. Sarah Afiqah Binti Kamaruzaman, assistant manager of the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), presented on “Productivity in Action by Implementing Good Regulatory Practice in Malaysia,” highlighting the vital role of Good Regulatory Practice (GRP) in enhancing Malaysia’s productivity. The virtual event attracted 350 participants from various government offices.


Good Regulatory Practices are designed to protect the public interest and foster a competitive business environment for Malaysian enterprises through effective, transparent, and business-friendly regulations. Afiqah illustrated GRP’s positive impacts with practical examples, including a notable case study on private hospital construction regulations. Initially limited by security concerns, MPC’s review process, involving consultations and benchmarking, led to regulatory changes that increased health infrastructure investment and addressed urban development challenges.


MPC aims for a 3.7 percent annual productivity growth by 2025, aspiring to position Malaysia among the top 12 competitive economies globally by 2030. This vision is driven by the Malaysia Productivity Blueprint, focusing on workforce improvement, digitalization, and innovation ecosystems. Afiqah emphasized that these initiatives equip Malaysia to thrive in an evolving global economy.


Collaborations with global organizations like the World Bank and World Economic Forum have been crucial to MPC’s success. These collaborations allow MPC to benchmark Malaysia’s regulatory standards globally, adopting best practices to enhance regulation quality and effectiveness. Aligning local regulations with international standards ensures Malaysia remains attractive for investment and economic growth.

Afiqah affirmed MPC’s commitment to advancing Malaysia’s productivity agenda through innovative strategies and robust regulatory frameworks. By advocating for GRP and fostering public-private partnerships, MPC aims to enhance productivity growth, competitiveness, and citizen prosperity. She concluded by emphasizing Malaysia’s proactive approach to achieving global competitiveness and sustainable economic growth. With MPC’s dedication to excellence and innovation, Malaysia is poised to become a significant economic power in the region and beyond, supported by a robust regulatory framework and clear vision.

Productivity Insights is an initiative of DAP through its COE-PSP. This series of knowledge and experience-sharing sessions showcases best practices from local participants and APO-member economies, aiming to boost innovation and productivity in the public sector.

As the Philippines’ National Productivity Organization and COE-PSP, the DAP is committed to promoting and implementing public sector productivity-related activities across the Asia-Pacific region. The COE-PSP plays a fundamental role in this mission by facilitating the exchange of knowledge on public sector productivity (PSP) best practices among APO-member economies. It conducts relevant PSP and innovation-related research and develops knowledge products, including resources and materials to support member countries’ programs.

Through the COE-PSP, the DAP undertakes projects designed to help APO-member economies develop and strengthen their productivity programs, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector. By fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, the DAP strives to elevate public sector productivity, ultimately contributing to the region’s economic growth and competitiveness.

This article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/dap-hosts-final-episode-of-productivity-insights-series-with-focus-on-malaysias-role-of-good-regulatory-practice/

The fourth virtual Productivity Insights session featured an in-depth presentation on the “Performance Enhancement Through Digital Management System (DMS)” by the National University of Modern Languages (NUML). Held on June 28, 2024, the session was led by NUML Pro Rector Dr. Muhammad Zubair Iqbal and attracted over 300 participants from state colleges, universities, local government units, and government agencies.


Dr. Iqbal outlined NUML’s strategic vision and organizational restructuring aimed at fostering innovation and research alongside academic excellence. He emphasized the university’s efforts to address challenges in productivity and efficiency across its campuses in Pakistan and China. The transition to a unified digital platform replaced subjective evaluations and manual data handling, enhancing transparency and eliminating biases. NUML’s DMS centralizes faculty data, including academic credentials, research publications, financed projects, and administrative duties, ensuring accurate and verifiable information.


Dr. Iqbal demonstrated the user-friendly interface of the DMS, highlighting features such as improved institutional memory, real-time faculty activity tracking, and automated data administration. This technology streamlines performance reviews, facilitates certification procedures, and enhances global rankings by providing precise data. NUML’s implementation of the DMS sets a new standard for productivity enhancement in Pakistan’s higher education sector, reflecting its commitment to becoming a leading institution in knowledge creation and inclusive education.


In concluding the session, Dr. Iqbal stressed the importance of effective leadership and organizational management. He advocated for inclusivity, urging stakeholders to discuss goals and evaluation criteria, and emphasized the need for organizational structures that surpass individual contributions. He encouraged other universities to learn from NUML’s experiences and access their data for mutual development and progress.


Productivity Insights is a series of knowledge and experience-sharing sessions showcasing best practices from local participants and APO-member economies to boost innovation and productivity in the public sector.

This article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/4th-productivity-insights-features-numl-performance-enhancements-through-dms/

About the Tool

Purpose: Productivity Measurement

A histogram is a type of graphical data representation where the frequency of various values within a dataset is shown using rectangular bars. Though it primarily concentrates on displaying the distribution and frequency of data points, it resembles a bar graph. The height of each bar shows the frequency with which a given value or event occurs in the dataset.  It makes it easier to understand and analyze the distribution and the general pattern of data, and identify areas that need improvement.

The histogram serves as a versatile graphical tool for overall efficiency and quality. Among the many applications for histograms are done in quality planning, where they help identify concerns and root causes of problems, enabling better decision-making. In quality control, they help identify issues and implement corrective steps. In project management, they help identify difficulties and repeating trends and thus prioritize measures to enhance quality, particularly for agile techniques.

How to Use the Tool

Estimated Time Needed: 30 minutes

Target Participants or Users: Process Owners, Planning Officers, Quality Control Assessors/Evaluators, Project Managers

Steps

  1. Gather all the needed data.
  2. In the first column, categorize the gathered data and list the datasets in ascending order.
  3. In the second column, create intervals of equal length.
  4. In the third column, include the frequency of data points under each interval.
  5. Based on the given data, draw and label the horizontal (x) and vertical (y) axes.
  6. Draw bars according to the frequency and interval of the given data. Bars must not have spaces between them.
  7. Provide a title for the histogram chart.

Sample Histogram


About the Tool

Purpose: Productivity Measurements

A flowchart is a graphical representation of a process that outlines the necessary steps and decisions to achieve a specific outcome. Each step in the process is represented by a diagram shape, connected by lines and arrows that guide the viewer through the sequence. This visual representation enables anyone to understand and follow the process from start to finish quickly. A flowchart is a valuable business tool that, when designed and constructed effectively, can convey the steps involved in a process clearly and concisely, streamlining communication and increasing efficiency.

Flowcharts are essential in various industries, such as production, day-to-day operations, sales, and software development. They help streamline processes, improve communication, and identify defects. In production, they illustrate product development, manufacturing, quality assurance, and maintenance, while in day-to-day operations, they automate workflows and improve productivity. In sales and marketing, they visually represent project approaches, strategies, and communication plans. Moreover, flowcharts aid developers in visualizing complex information and making informed decisions.

How to Use the Tool

Estimated Time Needed: 1.5 hrs

Target Participants or Users: Process Owners, Planning Officers, Quality Control Assessors/Evaluators, Project Managers

Steps

  1. Define the start, end, and process or system to be represented in the flowchart.
  2. Familiarize yourself with the different symbols used to make a flowchart, such as the start, end, process, decision, loops, and connectors.
  3. Determine the flow direction if it is top-down or left-right direction.
  4. Organize the steps or information in the correct order. Begin with the start symbol and connect with the process flow.
  5. Add connectors such as lines and arrows to show the direction or flow of the steps or information. Include loops if a process flows back to the previous steps to demonstrate repetition or cycle.
  6. Review the flowchart for flaws or errors and revise based on the feedback.

Sample Flow Chart

The third virtual session of Productivity Insights, conducted by the Development Academy of the Philippines-Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity, showcased the transformative impact of the 5S workplace organization methodology on performance management within the Micro, Small, and Medium Size Enterprises Promotion Agency (MSMEPA) in Lao PDR. The 5S methodology comprises seiri (sort), seiton (set in order), seiso (shine), seiketsu (standardize), and shitsuke (sustain).

Held on June 13, 2024, the session had over 300 participants from various national and local government agencies and state universities. Dr. Malaykham Philaphone, director of the Technical Assistance Management Division at the MSME Promotion Fund under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, served as the resource person.

Dr. Philaphone discussed the challenges MSMEPA faced in the application process and grant approval timeline, including limited capacity and delays in receiving assistance. These issues prompted a collaborative approach among MSME-promoting organizations, government sectors, and business associations to find solutions.

She explained that, in addition to conducting training and capacity building, MSMEPA implemented the 5S methodology to streamline processes. This involved sorting and simplifying regulations, removing unnecessary documents, organizing through electronic services, enhancing transparency, standardizing practices, and implementing training programs. Beyond adopting 5S, the division used stakeholder feedback to refine processes further.

Dr. Philaphone emphasized the establishment of standard operating procedures and training programs to ensure consistency and efficiency in evaluating and approving grants. Continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms were also put in place to track the effectiveness of these reforms. She noted that the 5S methodology led to significant improvements, including a notable increase in application volume and a reduction in processing times, thereby providing MSMEs with quicker access to technical assistance funding and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Additionally, Dr. Philaphone highlighted the importance of understanding stakeholders, using data-driven approaches, recognizing knowledge gaps, and managing change in MSME support initiatives. She also addressed the need to manage transition issues and overcome resistance to change.

Productivity Insights is a series of sessions that share best practices from local participants and APO-member economies to enhance innovation and productivity in the public sector.

This article was originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/third-productivity-insights-showcases-5s-transformative-impact-on-lao-pdrs-msmepa/

The  second session of Productivity Insights, held virtually on June 6, 2024, focused on Indonesia’s digital transformation in  civil servant management. Hosted by the Development Academy of the Philippines as the focal organization of the Asian Productivity Organization’s Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity, the event drew over 200 participants from various national and local government agencies, as well as state universities. 

Dr. Samsul Hidayat, acting director for Civil Service Performance at the National Civil Service Agency in Indonesia, discussed the country’s efforts to integrate technology to address challenges within its civil service sector, which includes 630 local governments with diverse systems and obstacles. He emphasized the need for digital transformation to enhance governance and service delivery, and stressed the importance of shifting both both personal and organizational mindsets to adapt to the digital era.

Dr. Hidayat detailed significant improvements resulting from digital transformation, such as paperless processes, digital signatures, online tracking of service progres, and simplifying bureaucratic procedures.  These advancements have led to faster service delivery, increased transparency and efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Despite these gains, Dr. Hidayat acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly in system integration among local governments, and emphasized the need for continuous improvement in technology and the capacity of civil servants to utilize these systems effectively. 

To support this, Dr. Hidayat highlighted ongoing collaboration with other ministries, especially  in health and education, to further enhance service delivery. The focus is on sustaining and expanding digital initiatives to drive productivity improvements and better serve the Indonesian population in the next five years.

Productivity Insights is a series of knowledge and experience-sharing sessions that showcase best practices from local participants and APO-member economies to boost innovation and productivity in the public sector.

This article was originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/2nd-productivity-insights-session-highlights-indonesias-digital-transformation-in-civil-service/