The Development Academy of the Philippines, in its capacity as the National Certification Body, formally conferred the designation of Certified Productivity Specialist (CPS) on nine (9) professionals during a certification ceremony held on 30 April 2026 at the DAP Building in Pasig City.
The conferment marks another milestone in DAP’s continuing efforts to develop a highly competent pool of productivity practitioners who can champion quality improvement, innovation, and organizational excellence across the public and private sectors.
Joining the growing network of APO Certified Productivity Specialists are Roy Vincent Calma and Judy Dorothy Madarcos of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), as well as Gerard Paul Calambro, Nelson Casalan, Dr. Ador Paulino, Angela Vargas, Jasmin San Juan, Melani Mercader, and Michelle Belga of DAP. As CPS, they are recognized for their expertise in productivity consultancy, training, research, and productivity promotion, enabling them to lead initiatives that enhance organizational performance and competitiveness.
In her welcome remarks, Ms. Monica D. Saliendres, Acting Vice President of DAP’s Productivity and Development Center and Head of Certification of DAP CB, underscored the significance of the APO CPS Certification Scheme in advancing professional standards and building a strong community of productivity practitioners committed to driving meaningful change.
DAP Acting President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian highlighted in his message the importance of productivity as a key driver of national development. Citing the Philippines’ ranking in the APO Productivity Readiness Report, he noted that while the country demonstrates strong motivation and capability, there remains significant room for productivity improvement. He encouraged the new CPS to serve as catalysts for innovation and productivity enhancement within their respective organizations and sectors, ultimately contributing to improved public service delivery and national competitiveness.
Meanwhile, Ms. Magdalena L. Mendoza, DAP Acting Executive Vice President and Chairperson of the DAP CB Certification Council, emphasized the certification program’s role as a model for continuous and stackable professional development. She also highlighted the DAP’s microcredentialing initiatives, which provide public sector professionals with flexible pathways to strengthen their competencies through both academic and professional learning tracks.
Representing the APO, Md Zainuri Juri, Principal Program Officer of the APO Program Directorate, reminded the awardees that the CPS designation represents not only technical competence but also a commitment to advancing productivity improvement initiatives that create meaningful impact within organizations and communities.
As an APO-accredited certification body, DAP CB continues to build a pool of productivity specialists who support organizational and national productivity improvement initiatives aligned with international standards.
For more information on the APO CPS Certification Scheme, interested applicants may visit certificationbody.dap.edu.ph or email certifiedps@dap.edu.ph.