PRESS RELEASE
PR-137-2023
(17 November 2023, Singapore) More than 20 participants from the Philippines, consisting of Vice Governors, Mayors and other local government officials, are currently in Singapore to participate in the Foreign Study Mission on Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities, organized by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the National University of Singapore – Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (NUS-LKYSPP).
The weeklong study mission, which will run from 13 to 17 November 2023, is a program under the DAP’s Adaptive Governance and Innovation for Local Chief Executives (AGILE) program, an initiative of Senator Francis Tolentino, which aims to equip the local chief executives and key functionaries with the knowledge and understanding of concepts, principles, tools, and methodologies for an adaptive and inclusive governance.
The foreign study mission participants, led by Deputy Mission Leader and Laguna Vice Governor Katherine C. Agapay as well as DAP Director for Policy Research Office, Center for Governance, paid a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo G. Macaraig at the Philippine Embassy on 14 November 2023.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Macaraig shared that he was pleased that DAP has decided to hold the study mission in Singapore, which, with its remarkable success in urban planning, sustainable development and inclusive governance, serves as an outstanding model for the Philippines to draw inspiration and learn valuable lessons from. He also provided a brief overview of Philippines-Singapore bilateral relations, highlighting the positive achievements of the relationship in recent years and its prospects for growth. He likewise urged the participants to maximize their learning journey and continue to explore innovative solutions to address the complex challenges faced in their cities and municipalities.
Also providing their remarks for the ceremony were Mr. Gilbert Lumantao, Director of the Policy Research Office, Center for Governance, DAP and Deputy Mission Leader and Laguna Vice Governor Katherine C. Agapay. (END).
