Pasay City, Philippines — The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) today holds its One DAP Graduation Ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), bringing together 1,062 graduates from its academic, executive, and certificate programs in a unified milestone for public sector leadership.
Anchored on the theme “Dangal at Galing para sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the ceremony honors graduates who embody integrity, excellence, and resilience in public service.
DAP President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian, emphasized the importance of translating learning into impact: “Your learning holds value only when it translates into better societal outcomes… This graduation affirms our mission—to build leaders who deliver results, think strategically, act with integrity, and turn policy into impact.”
Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto, Guest of Honor and Commencement Speaker, highlighted the Academy’s enduring role in governance, stating: “For more than five decades, DAP remains one of the country’s strongest pillars for cultivating leadership and promoting a culture of honor and excellence in service to the Filipino people… Leadership requires continuous learning, and public service demands constant growth.”
DAP Board Chair and Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan underscored the graduates’ vital role in nation-building: “This ceremony recognizes discipline, commitment, and the deliberate choice to invest in professional growth… By strengthening your competencies, you affirm the central role of public servants in delivering timely, responsive, and credible results that improve the daily lives of Filipinos.”
He added: “Carry galing and dangal forward consistently—competence with integrity—so public service remains effective, credible, and worthy of public trust.”
The ceremony formally confers degrees, diplomas, and certificates to graduates endorsed by the DAP Academic Council, with awards conferred by the DAP President and Chief Executive Officer. The event brings together senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, institutional partners, faculty, families, and guests from various sectors.
The One DAP Graduation highlights inter-agency collaboration, lifelong learning, and the translation of knowledge into reforms across government and partner institutions—reinforcing DAP’s mission to develop values-driven leaders capable of shaping a more agile, innovative, and service-oriented government aligned with the vision of a Bagong Pilipinas. – Ellinor T. Santos