07/03/2024
Commemorating Success: The 8th Closing Ceremony of the LGEMC
Another milestone event was held as the Local Government Executives and Managers Class (LGEMC) conducted its 8th Closing Ceremony at the Development Academy of the Philippines Conference Center, in Tagaytay City, last February 23, 2024. The Closing Ceremony was a fitting event to recognize the efforts and dedication of the fifty-seven (57) scholars of Batch 11 โ Levanta and Batch 12 โ Kaligdong who have completed this training program implemented by the Center for Governance under the Public Management Development Program (PMDP).
The Closing Ceremony was attended by notable officials and government leaders, namely: DAP President and Chief Executive Officer, Majah-Leah V. Ravago, PhD; DAP Senior Vice President for Programs, Magdalena L. Mendoza; DAP Center for Governance (CFG) Vice President, Imelda C. Caluen; DAP-CFG Local Governance and Development Office Director, Jannis T. Montaรฑez; Chairperson of the Galing Pook Foundation Board of Trustees and former Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Mel Senen S. Sarmiento; Chairperson of the DAP Board of Trustees, Chairperson of the National Governmentโs Career Executive Service Development Program (NGCESDP) Steering Committee, and the Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Arsenio M. Balisacan, PhD; and Governor of the Provincial Government of Batangas, Hermilando I. Mandanas.
In her Opening Remarks, DAP President Ravago congratulated the graduating batches for having completed the three-month intensive journey with the Academy. With the valuable knowledge acquired by the scholars from the program, she urged them to steadfastly face on challenges and continually strengthen their capacities to become effective and resilient local government leaders.
Scholars were awarded with their Certificate of Completion, followed by the announcement of the Special Awards.
Leadership awardees were: Mayor Karissa R. Fetalvero-Paronia (Batch 11) and Mayor Marcos G. Ayangwa (Batch 12). The Highest Performing Scholar award, on the other hand, was given to Dr. Hazel M. Montolo (Batch 11) and Engr. Mark Henri M. Mercado (Batch 12). Mr. Rodney B. Doletin and Mr. Jose Rodelio S. Sedantes were the recipients of the Best Innovation Project Concept award of Batch 11 and 12, respectively.
The event was graced by Governor Mandanas who delivered the keynote address to the new graduates. He shared the 5Hs that a public servant must live by: Honesty, Hard work, Humility, Helpfulness, and Heroicness. He also emphasized that a local manager must be heroicโit entails courage, sacrifice, and perseverance. He added that as local manager, one must continually overcome extraordinary challenges, similar to his long but fruitful efforts to fight for the just share of local government units. Gov. Mandanas likewise thanked the DAP for implementing the LGEMC Program as it recognized the need for local leaders to acquire knowledge, intelligence, wisdom, courage, fortitude, and compassion. He concluded his speech by reminding the audience that in all developmental efforts, there must be unity to establish a government that would embody the aspirations and ideals of the Filipino people.
Meanwhile, Secretary Balisacan provided an Inspirational Message on behalf of the NGCESDP. He highlighted NEDAโs role in ensuring proper devolution of public services, committing the Authorityโs full support through analyses and policy recommendations. He encouraged the scholars to pursue their efforts in bringing about fundamental changes in their localities through the implementation of their Innovation Projects and looked forward to how these capacity-building programs will align with NEDAโs commitment to coordinate and spearhead the socioeconomic planning efforts of LGUs.
Drawing the 8th Closing Ceremony to a close, freshly minted alumni and guests were invited to the unveiling of brass markers for Batches 11 and 12. The brass markers, engraved with the graduatesโ names represent their achievement and legacy for completing the LGEMC Program. These will be displayed in the pillars of DAP Conference Center Tagaytay City.
