The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), through its Center for Governance-Policy Research Office (CFG-PRO), held this year’s first learning module on “Risk Management” for the Middle Managers’ Track of the Capability Building on Innovative Leadership for Legislative Staff (CBILLS) Program on 05-09 June 2023 at the DAP Conference Center in Tagaytay City. This residential module aimed to give guidance to the participants in establishing a risk management system within their organizations using relevant tools, techniques, principles, and strategies on risk management.

The module featured learning sessions and workshops that highlighted the basic concepts and principles of risk management, as well as its framework and rigorous process – starting from establishing the scope, context, and risk criteria to risk assessment and treatment, and finally, risk monitoring and communication. These sessions were handled and facilitated by the following resource persons from the DAP: (1) Director Gilbert E. Lumantao, Director of the Policy Research Office – Center for Governance; (2) Director Alvin P. Principe, Director of the Operations Management Office – Center for Governance; (3) Mr. Peter Dan B. Baon, Program Director of the Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity; (4) Mr. Joebert D. Sayson, Project Officer and Executive Assistant of the Office of the Senior Vice-President for Programs; and, (5) Ms. Rocio Isabel Paloma, Project Officer from the Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity.

Aside from these sessions, a special lecture on the best practices for establishing risk management in the public sector was also included as part of the learning process. For this session, Director Catherine Pinky B. Regala of the Risk and Compliance Office of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) shared with the participants the actual experience and best practices of the BSP in terms of establishing its risk management system and enhancing its risk management frameworks throughout the years. She emphasized that one of the key measures to effective risk management lies in the organization’s proactive attempts to control future outcomes. This can be achieved by strengthening risk culture, improving frameworks and methodologies, and enhancing the competencies of personnel to drive risk management.

By the end of the module, the participants were able to articulate the value and vital role of risk management in public organizations and to apply skills in using the principles, techniques, and tools in risk management by preparing a risk management policy for their respective institutions. The Middle Managers Track under the CBILLS program offers a customized set of learning interventions designed for the legislative staff and officers of the different offices of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines. This year, a total of 25 participants are enrolled in this track. – Christopher Brian N. Caiga