On the historic and scenic shores of Mactan, Cebu, the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) successfully hosted the 32nd Governance Boot Camp: Basic Class (BC32), a transformative capacity-building event that brought together governance practitioners from public institutions across the Philippines.
From July 29 to August 1, 2025, 67 delegates nationwide gathered at the Belmont Hotel Mactan, where they participated in a three-day intensive training co-hosted by Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) that provided an overview of the Performance Governance System’s (PGS) fundamental concepts, including strategy design and execution.
The event kicked off with an insightful lecture by ISA Founder and Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao titled “Building our Dream Philippines.” Drawing from his experience as the Philippines’ former Secretary of Finance in the ’90s, Dr. Estanislao explained how the nation has fallen behind other ASEAN countries due to “too much politics, too little governance.” This imbalance, he noted, has resulted in persistent challenges of poverty, corruption, and lack of civic engagement.
He emphasized that wicked problems require long-term, values-based reforms rather than quick fixes, and highlighted the importance of a transformative institutional strategy in equipping development agents with the tools, values, and solidarity needed for national transformation. He believes that transforming institutions will transform the nation, building a “Dream Philippines” one institution, community, and citizen at a time.
Ultimately, Dr. Estanislao challenged participants with a thought-provoking question: “What can you do to contribute to the realization of the dream of the organization?”
After the lecture, ISA Executive Director and PGS Practice Leader, Mr. Christian P. Zaens, presented an engaging module on Strategy Fundamentals. The session explored how to integrate a comprehensive framework into institutional strategies, covering Strategic Position, Roadmap, and Scorecard elements.
“Public entities are agents of change. They fix broken systems and turn them into effective ones that improve lives, promote social well-being, and make lasting positive impact,” Mr. Zaens emphasized, citing Martin and Osberg’s “Going Beyond Better: How Social Entrepreneurship Works”.
During the presentation, Mr. Zaens differentiated between two types of strategies: one that aligns with institutional vision and one that fails to deliver. A strategy that aims for systemic overhaul of an agency—allowing it to truly experience change—remains true to its core mission and identity. Conversely, a strategy lacking focus on constant evolution and systemic transformation demonstrates a lack of innovation rather than ingenuity.
“Politics done well affects lives,” he emphasized.
On the second day of the Boot Camp, Mr. Zaens enriched participants with valuable insights through his Strategy Execution module. He emphasized the importance of agile strategy management, not constantly rewriting goals, but recalibrating methods to achieve them based on real-time data, stakeholder input, and systemic learning.
In his lecture, Mr. Zaens highlighted key aspects of the PGS framework: deployment, alignment, engagement, learning, designing, and translating. These elements are crucial for executing institutional strategies that drive organizations toward their goals. He emphasized the importance of understanding long-standing bottlenecks, backlogs, issues, and concerns (BLICs), harmonizing processes, and engaging the entire organization to achieve successful implementation.
At the end of the module, Mr. Zaens emphasized that achieving organizational breakthroughs requires remembering why we make these efforts and whom they serve. He stressed that the PGS isn’t designed merely to solve problems or provide the best system. Its purpose is to improve lives for the common good.
After Mr. Zaens’ lecture came a module called “Beyond Cascading,” which showcased how Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research & Medical Center (PJG) implemented the PGS framework. Dr. Rene Francisco, Chairperson of PJG’s Office for Strategy Management, tackled challenges such as pessimism and resistance by fostering a “can-do” attitude.
“We want to change the mindset of many Filipinos about government hospitals,” he told the delegates.
These perspective shifts led to enhanced strategic positioning, collaborative work, and outward-focused approaches. Dr. Francisco outlined the PGS cycle, which encompasses PJG’s efforts in creating governance documents, communicating strategy, building people’s capacity, and celebrating excellence. These actions produced breakthrough results, including improved performance, the launch of PJG TeleHealth, and the passage of Republic Act 11704, which increased the hospital’s bed capacity.
Dr. Francisco concluded his lecture with an inspiring message to participating institutions: “I encourage you to continue dreaming for a Dream Philippines.”
As evening fell, delegates gathered for an entertaining networking event at the BC32 Solidarity Night. The theme “Duyan ng Magiting” honored both historical heroes who contributed to national progress and today’s champions in public service who transform systems and touch lives. Delegates connected with fellow advocates while participating in activities that offered recognition opportunities, including Best Team Chant and Best Costume awards, along with raffle prizes.
During the PGS Movers segment on the final day of BC32, two exemplary organizations were showcased: event co-host DRMC from the health sector and the Philippine Coast Guard representing the national government agency sector.
During the segment, Dr. Kathlyn Lee Flor-Fuerzas, MPA, Head of the Budget Section and Planning and Strategy Management Office, shared initiatives their organization implemented while progressing through the PGS pathway. These included Strategy Communication (Cascading Framework), PGS Orientations, Strategy Monitoring and Evaluation, Process Coaching, and Rewards and Recognition. In a separate discussion, LCDR LENAR AUGUSTUS A LIMBAG PCG, Strategy Management Division Chief of the Coast Guard Strategic Studies and International Affairs (CGSSIAC), highlighted the PCG’s digitalization efforts, focusing on streamlining various processes and implementing innovations in communications and technology.
The BC32 concluded with the announcement of the Ultimate Governance Warrior (UGW) Award, presented to Ms. Karina Mao-Len Concepcion of Team Silungan, who serves as Planning Officer III at the Governance Commission for GOCCs. When asked about her vision and action steps toward achieving our Dream Philippines as a public servant, Ms. Concepcion highlighted the importance of efficiency and credibility.
“I envision our Dream Philippines where the basic services are efficiently delivered by our government, and wherein the credibility of the Philippine government is at its highest,” Ms. Concepcion said. “[It] is important that I champion principles of good governance, investing and strengthening capacity building initiatives as I believe instilling the culture of good governance within our organization is a good first step in achieving Dream Philippines.”
