By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

Dr. Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., dean of the MMSU Graduate School, has recently completed the Senior Executives Class (SEC) of the Philippine Management Development Program (PMDP) that is sponsored by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP). 

Manzano is one of the only two graduates in Region I and among the 27 members of the SEC Batch 9 (Punyagi) across the country. He was conferred with a Diploma in Development Management, and received a certificate of completion in a virtual ceremony last October 15.

He also obtained the Consummate Journaling Award for “consistently writing his insightful and significant experiences of his PMDP journey” in a closing ceremony last August 26. 

The SEC Batch 9 completed the course in one year (August 2020-August 2021). Graduates underwent residential training, sensing journey, and study mission on international governance and policy innovations in 10 months; and, they crafted their capstone papers for two months. 

Manzano’s capstone paper is titled “Coordinated Agribusiness, Research and Extension Strategies (CARES) for Sustainable Farming and Livelihood Improvement.” CARES is MMSU’s development program that involves technology promotions, utilization, and transfer of modern farm technologies to farmers for increased productivity.

He said the University can utilize the study as basis in sustaining the success of the CARES program. He recommended the MMSU should tie-up with various financial institutions to assist the farmers; and its stakeholders should be involved in the program's roadmap to transition and transformation. He also suggested the University should consider using digital platform in the program’s operations; and allot a sustainable budget to continuously develop the CARES site.

He thanked the DAP for the opportunity, saying the PMDP-SEC has taught him “how to think and act big for the common good.” 

The PMDP-SEC is the national government’s career executive service development program that aims to produce a network of peak-performing, development-oriented, ethical, and committed government executives and middle managers in the Philippine bureaucracy.

It is designed for senior officials who possess outstanding intellectual and creative abilities, deep commitment to public service, and demonstrate potential for shaping policy and management at higher levels of government.

PMDP Steering Committee evaluates aspiring SED participants based on the qualifications set for senior executives. The candidates for the program also took written and oral examinations, making the entry to SEC more competitive.

Once qualified, SEC participants are entitled to a government scholarship that includes free tuition fee and training materials, accommodation and curriculum-related transportation as necessary. (StratCom)