PERSONNEL OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
OF THE PHILIPPINES (POAP)

NEWS 2025

2025 POAP Trainers' Training Summer Camp: A Key Event for Public Service Education and Development

The 2025 Trainers' Training Summer Camp, organized by the Personnel Officers Association of the Philippines (POAP), was a landmark event that took place on March 14-15, 2025, at the POAP Learning Center in Quezon City. This two-day event brought together a diverse group of seasoned professionals from the public service sector, academia, and various industries to deepen their expertise in creating impactful training programs for public sector employees. With Mr. Jesse Francis Rebustillo as the featured speaker and subject matter expert, the camp aimed to equip participants with the necessary tools to develop and deliver training modules on various relevant topics for government personnel.

The 2025 Trainers' Training Summer Camp was designed to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among trainers who are integral to the development of public servants across the Philippines. The training covered a wide range of topics crucial for the modern challenges facing public service, including strategic learning, training needs analysis, futures thinking, corporate social responsibility, accounting for non-accountants, artificial intelligence, data privacy, and work-life balance.

A Wide-Ranging Curriculum Focused on Contemporary Needs

Mr. Jesse Francis Rebustillo, a leading expert in training and development, provided the attendees with expert insights on these topics. His approach to the camp was hands-on and designed to empower the participants to develop practical, actionable modules that could be used in the training of public servants across different government agencies. As the world continues to evolve, the topics discussed at the summer camp reflected the pressing concerns and innovations in the workplace.

One of the key topics discussed was strategic learning, which focuses on aligning training initiatives with organizational goals to ensure efficiency and productivity. Another critical topic was training needs analysis, which helps organizations assess skill gaps and prioritize training needs. Futures thinking, a forward-looking approach to planning and strategy, was also explored, encouraging participants to consider how emerging trends might shape the future of public service.

Collaboration Among Esteemed Public Service Leaders

The event attracted a distinguished roster of attendees, including prominent educators, government officials, and public service leaders. Some of the key participants included Monette Iturralde-Hamlin, President of the Government-Academe-Industry Network (GAIN) and Founding Chairman and Past President of Team Asia; Dr. Rene Colocar, President of Marikina Polytechnic College; Dr. Ester Ogena, Former President of Philippine Normal University; Dr. Sheila Villanueva, Former OIC of City of Malabon University; and Dr. Francis Ashipaoloye, Assistant Vice President of Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Also included in the training were Dr. Segundo Romero, Faculty Member at Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines; Dr. Rolando Lansigan, First Chief of the National Data Privacy Commission; Dr. Neil Balba, Data Privacy Officer at Lyceum of the Philippines University; Anita Cunanan, Chief at the Civil Service Commission; Dr. Elizabeth Montero, Former President of Urdaneta City University; Prof. Earl Borgona, Associate Dean at Far Eastern University-Makati; Dr. Analiza Arcega, President of Pateros Technological College; Dr. Evelyn Cruzada, Assistant Secretary at Office of the President and Former President of Leyte Normal University; Prof. Yolanda Catalina Bonaobra, Speech Power Specialist and College Secretary at PTC; Melissa Untalan, Vice President for Finance at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa; and Prof. John de Lima, Dean of PLMun Institute of Public Policy and Governance.

The presence of such distinguished professionals underscored the importance of the event, as it provided an opportunity for these experts to come together and collaborate on creating educational frameworks that are tailored to the evolving needs of public servants in the Philippines.

Opening and Closing Remarks

The event commenced with a warm welcome from Mr. Ronnie De Castro, the President of POAP and the City Personnel Officer of Lipa. Mr. De Castro highlighted the significance of continuous professional development for public service personnel and emphasized the need for training initiatives that would enable employees to meet the demands of an ever-changing landscape.

Dr. Raymundo Arcega, POAP Vice President and Executive Director, and President of PLMun, introduced the speakers, setting the tone for an enriching series of discussions. Dr. Arcega emphasized the role of education in the public sector, noting that well-trained employees contribute significantly to the efficiency and effectiveness of government services.

As the event concluded, Ms. Nanette Cabrera, POAP Secretary, delivered the closing remarks, thanking all the participants for their active engagement and encouraging them to apply the lessons learned in their respective organizations. The event was also graced by other POAP Trustees, including Ms. Asliah Maniri of the Ministry of Basic, Technical, and Higher Education, and Ms. Nora Aldave, Former Vice Mayor of Masbate, whose support and presence added further prestige to the camp.

A Bright Future for Public Service Training

The 2025 Trainers' Training Summer Camp was an outstanding success in fostering collaboration, education, and the development of future-ready public servants. The training sessions provided valuable insights into critical areas of public service, equipping trainers with the tools to create effective training modules that will ultimately improve government operations. With the involvement of key figures from academia, government, and private sectors, the event exemplified how a multi-sectoral approach to training and development can result in meaningful and lasting impact. As public service continues to evolve, initiatives like this will be essential in shaping a workforce that is adaptable, forward-thinking, and equipped to face the challenges of the future.