The Development Academy of the Philippines successfully held its first-ever “Clients’ Day Open House” recently, with some 115 clients and partners trooping to the DAP Headquarters in Pasig City to find out what the 45-year-old research and training institution has to offer to them by way of new programs and courses.
Originally scheduled during the DAP’s 45th anniversary celebration last June, the activity provided the Academy an opportunity to link up more closely with its partners and clients, particularly those it has been servicing for the past many years. More importantly, it provided the institution an opportunity to find out these clients’ needs and concerns and to address those needs through new programs designed to fit their requirements.
DAP President and CEO Engelbert Caronan Jr. thanked the clients for taking time out to oblige the DAP’s invitation, with some of them coming from as far away as Marinduque and Aurora, Quezon. He told them during the activity’s closing program that the DAP intends to make the activity an annual affair to enable the DAP to connect with them and improve its services further.
The DAP actually held a previous “Clients’ Day” back in 2013 during its 40th anniversary celebration, but it was more of a simple interaction with clients that was held in a different venue without access to the Academy’s offices and a deeper processing of their needs.
Prominent guests
Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro, head of the Regional Development Office of the National Economic and Development Authority, led the list of prominent guests who came to the DAP’s “Clients’ Day Open House” activity.
Other prominent guests included Commissioner Catherine Maceda of the Energy Regulatory Commission, Major General Jose Antonio Carolis Motril of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Director Nicole Bacolod of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, Director Jaypee Abesamis of the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations, Director Rosenne Flores Avila of the Land Registration Authority, Director J.M. Tolentino of the National Insurance Commission, Mindanao State College of Agriculture and Technology-Calapan Campus Vice President Ma. Arlyn Redublo, Marinduque State College Campus Director Nelson Rufino Montejo, Chairperson Lorelei Peralta of the National Mapping and Resources Information, Department Head Patrick Roehl Francisco of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Division Chief Pilar Cruz of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Director Feroisa Concordia of the Public Private Partnership Center, Corporate Planning OIC Fortuna Benosa of the National Tobacco Administration, and head agent Orlando Navallo of the National Bureau of Investigation.
Feedback
The DAP’s clients expressed their general appreciation for the Academy’s opening its doors to them. “Very happy kami as we weren’t sure about all the products and services of the DAP before. But now you have opened your doors to various agencies and government offices,” one client said. “We are now more aware of the other products and services that you also offer in your units.”
Others expressed satisfaction with the DAP’s services that they have engaged it multiple times, saying that they have gained “trust” in the DAP brand because of their satisfaction with their partnership with the institution and are ready to get into another engagement with it.
One area that a number of clients expressed interest in is quality management and organizational excellence as several groups want to develop that in their own offices and organizations.