My warmest greetings and heartfelt congratulations to my UP National College of Public Administration and Governance family as we celebrate NCPAG’s 74th Anniversary.
As a proud alumnus—and as someone who had the privilege of returning to NCPAG not only as a student but also as an educator—this occasion is deeply personal to me.
For many people, NCPAG is a school. For me, it has always been much more than that.
It is where I learned that public administration is not merely about systems, policies, institutions, and processes. At its core, it is about people. It is about ensuring that government works for those who need it most. It is about understanding that every policy affects lives, every decision carries consequences, and every public servant carries a responsibility far greater than himself.
These lessons have remained with me throughout my journey in government.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned from this institution is that public administration is, at its very heart, a discipline of stewardship.
The power vested in government is not ours. The resources entrusted to government do not belong to us. The institutions we lead and oversee are not ours. We are merely their temporary stewards. And stewardship demands more than technical competence. It demands integrity when no one is watching, accountability when decisions are difficult, humility in the exercise of authority, and an unwavering commitment to serve something greater than ourselves.
These principles may sound theoretical inside the classroom. But I assure you, they become very real when you are seated at a table where decisions affect the lives of millions of Filipinos.
As Secretary of Budget and Management, I see this reality every day. Every appropriation approved, every reform pursued, every peso safeguarded carries consequences for real people and real communities. Behind every figure in the national budget is a Filipino family hoping for a better future.
It is precisely because of what NCPAG taught me that I never see the budget as merely a collection of numbers, but a reflection of our priorities, our values, and our commitment to the Filipino people.
Today, as DBM Secretary, I still carry the values that NCPAG instilled in me—integrity, accountability, excellence, and an unwavering commitment to public service. Every decision we make, every reform we pursue, and every peso we safeguard is guided by the same principles that were taught inside the classrooms and hallways of this institution.
In many ways, NCPAG helped shape the public servant that I am today. And perhaps that is the true measure of NCPAG’s impact—not simply the degrees it confers or the research it produces, but the generations of leaders, reformers, educators, and public servants it sends into the world carrying with them a deep sense of duty to serve the Filipino people.
At a time when public trust in institutions must constantly be earned, NCPAG’s mission becomes even more relevant. Our country needs public servants who are competent, ethical, innovative, and courageous. Public servants who understand that governance is not about power, but about stewardship. Not about position, but about service.
This is why NCPAG’s work remains indispensable.
It is especially fitting that this year’s anniversary is marked by the conduct of PAraluman, an initiative that meaningfully embodies NCPAG’s forward-looking mission. By providing a venue for the sharing of new and emerging knowledge products, PAraluman reflects the College’s enduring commitment to leadership, innovation, and collaborative engagement.
As we celebrate 74 years of excellence, may we continue to challenge conventions, generate new ideas, and develop leaders who will help build a more responsive, transparent, and people-centered government.
As an alumnus, as a former faculty member, and as a fellow public servant, I owe much of my journey to this institution. And for that, I will always be grateful.
NCPAG taught me that public service, far more than being a career, is a calling. And with utmost respect to this institution, allow me to renew a commitment I made when I accepted my present responsibility: I will keep my name and record clean. That is my promise to the Filipino people, and my tribute to the institution that helped shape me.
May UP-NCPAG continue to flourish in its noble mission, inspire future generations of public servants, and instill in them honor and excellence, and a lifelong commitment to serving the nation.
Once again, happy 74th Anniversary, UP-NCPAG.
Padayon, UP. Mabuhay ang NCPAG!
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