To my colleagues at the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and fellow public servants from our partner institutions;
Our distinguished development partners, esteemed guests, and all the champions who continue to drive the transformation of the Philippine Public Financial Management (PFM) landscape: my warmest greetings to each and every one of you!
Today, we come together not only to celebrate a decade of growth and excellence among our PFM practitioners but also to renew our commitment to strengthening public service. For that, I would like to congratulate everyone who has contributed to the continued success of the PFM Competency Program or PFMCP, and, most importantly, thank you for joining us on this journey. It has been our honor to work alongside such dedicated leaders and a collaborative community of reformers since the program’s inception in 2015.
Over the past ten years, we have witnessed this competency program evolve from simply addressing the need for a comprehensive, holistic capacity-building framework for PFM professionals to becoming a transformative platform that empowers our PFM workforce to navigate digital transformation, advance governance reforms, and ultimately, uphold the highest standards of public service.
As we mark the 10th year of the PFMCP, we take immense pride in the accomplishments that reflect our collective dedication and relentless efforts. Together, we have trained and engaged thousands of PFM practitioners, conducted numerous training sessions across the Philippines, paved the way for several significant PFM reforms, and touched the lives of countless civil servants who now lead meaningful improvements in their respective institutions. Each of these has contributed to strengthening our PFM landscape, making it more resilient and attuned to the evolving needs of our time.
Indeed, we have come a long way, and it is only natural to ask ourselves: Where do we go from here? The road ahead may still hold many challenges, but reflecting on what has brought us this far offers valuable insights into what we must continue to nurture to sustain our legacy.
Having had the privilege of serving as a resource speaker since day one of the PFMCP, I would like to share a few reflections on how we can build upon our achievements and maintain our momentum.
First, let us continue to uphold the principles that have guided us through the past decade and allow them to shape our decisions as faithful stewards of our nation’s resources.
Needless to say, excellence must remain at the heart of everything we do.
Inclusivity must continue to drive our whole-of-government approach.
And the open governance values of transparency, accountability, and public participation must continue to be our compass as we rebuild and strengthen public trust in our institutions.
Excellence, inclusivity, and open governance—these principles gain meaning only through the people who bring them to life. Thus, let us continue to place our trust in the most vital element of our advocacy—the individuals behind every success and every progress we celebrate today.
So, to our top-caliber resource speakers, thank you for generously sharing your knowledge and inspiring us to strive even more to uplift the lives of our people.
To the PFMCP practitioners, your commitment to completing all the tracks of our competency program and applying your learning in your respective institutions gives us confidence that the future of our country’s PFM is in the hands of capable and principled professionals.
To our partner institutions—especially the Australian Government, the Philippine League of Local Budget Officers Inc. (PHILLBO), the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) that have served as Learning Service Providers, and of course, our independent consultants—we extend our deepest gratitude to all of you. Our meaningful partnership has not only expanded the reach of our programs but also enriched their quality and enhanced their lasting impact in our communities.
And to the ACES Group under the leadership of Undersecretary Margaux Salcedo, particularly the Advocacy, Communications and Training Service-Capacity Development Division—the PFMCP would not have grown into the game-changing initiative that it is today without your commitment to delivering the best capacity-building experience for our PFM practitioners.
And of course, to Sec. Mina, our PFM Champion—thank you for spearheading the transformation of our PFMCP sessions into something that is truly inclusive of all PFM practitioners across the nation: from our National Government Agencies (NGAs) to our Local Government Units (LGUs), even in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Indeed, the PFMCP has become a beacon of reform rooted in the principles of competence and public service excellence.
So tonight, let us celebrate this shared milestone with pride and gratitude. But tomorrow, we shall move forward with a renewed commitment to continue building the Bagong Pilipinas we are all aspiring for.
Once again, happy 10th anniversary to the entire PFMCP family! Maraming salamat po!
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