Manila, April 24, 2025 – The Philippine Civil Service Commission (PCSC), the Private Sector Jobs and Skills Corporation (PCORP), and the National University of Singapore’s Institute of Systems Science (NUS-ISS) held a ceremonial event today to officially commemorate the signing of Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) for the Philippine Civil Service Digital Leadership Program (DLP). 

This milestone marks the deepening of a strategic partnership aimed at building the digital leadership capabilities of mid-to-senior-level civil servants in the Philippines.

The DLP aligns with the country’s national innovation agenda and supports its digital transformation goals. The program’s pilot run was successfully implemented through a collaboration between PCORP, and PCSC, through the Civil Service Institute (CSI). A second pilot, this time involving participants from the private sector, is scheduled to follow.

Initiated with the support of the Ayala Group, the SM Group, and the Temasek Foundation, the DLP is designed to equip public sector leaders with the knowledge and tools to lead digital initiatives effectively and drive innovation within government institutions.

This collaboration also underscores the strength of the robust and multifaceted bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Singapore. In 2024, the two countries marked the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations and continue to expand cooperation in key areas such as digitalization and climate change—underscoring a shared vision for sustainable, inclusive development.

The ceremonial event took place at Malacañang Palace in Manila and was graced by distinguished guests including Singapore Ambassador Constance See, NUS-ISS Chairman Ms. Janet Ang, NUS President Tan Eng Chye, Temasek Foundation Senior Director Mr. James Chan, CSC Commissioner Atty. Luis Meinrado Pañgulayan, CESO I, Assistant Commissioners Atty. Ariel G. Ronquillo, Atty. Karin Litz P. Zerna, Atty. Judith Dongallo-Chicano, and Director IV Mr. Fernando M. Porio.

The signed MOA was formally presented to Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. by NUS-ISS CEO Mr. Khoon Chan Meng, CSC Chairperson Atty. Marilyn B. Yap, and PCORP Chairperson Mr. Alfredo Ayala.

Building a future-ready, digitally-enabled civil service

The Philippine Civil Service DLP is composed of two phases, with the first phase featuring two pilot sessions in Singapore. During these sessions, government and private sector participants will undergo intensive three-day training conducted by NUS-ISS. The pilot sessions consist of three modules, namely, Digital leadership in the public sector, Leveraging citizen-centricity and design thinking for innovation, and Making better decisions with data.

In the second phase, NUS-ISS will license the programme content to PCSC and conduct Training-of-Trainers sessions in Manila, equipping trainers from PCSC, government agencies, and the private sector (Asia Pacific College and Mapua University) to deliver the curriculum nationwide.

A collaborative effort for sustainable impact

Recognising the critical role of digital leadership in driving public sector transformation and improving government service delivery, the PCSC, PCORP, and NUS-ISS have committed to leverage their respective strengths and resources to design and implement the Philippine Civil Service DLP.

PCSC, as the central human resource institution of the Philippine government, will oversee the training to ensure that the programme is aligned with the country’s public sector context and national governance priorities. PCORP, a non-profit organisation established by PSAC – Jobs Group, will ensure the programme’s long-term impact with its mandate to bridge public and private sector collaboration to close digital skills gaps.

“It is a continuing commitment for the Philippine civil service as we build a future-ready, agile, and citizen-centric government,” said PCSC Chairperson Atty. Marilyn B. Yap. “This strategic partnership with NUS-ISS and PCORP marks a pivotal step in equipping our civil servants with world-class digital leadership expertise. By continuously learning from Singapore’s best practices and adapting them to our local context, we are laying a strong foundation for a resilient and innovative public sector. Through sustained collaboration, we will empower generations of public sector leaders with the skills and vision to drive meaningful and lasting change in government service delivery.”

According to Mr. Alfredo Ayala, Chairperson of PCORP, “A digitally empowered civil service is vital to enabling a thriving digital economy and delivering improved public services to citizens. At PCORP, we are deeply committed to our mission of contributing the private sector’s expertise to government initiatives to address critical skills gaps and drive job creation in key sectors. This mission is at the core of everything we do. By equipping public sector leaders with the right digital capabilities, we are not only enhancing government efficiency but also laying the groundwork for broader economic growth and opportunities for citizens in the Philippines.”

Established in 1981, NUS-ISS has a proven track record of developing future-ready digital leaders in Singapore and beyond through diverse pathways and programmes tailored to meet the needs of various industries, including the public sector. It will draw upon its deep expertise in digital talent development in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, digital strategy and digital innovation.

Mr. Khoong Chan Meng, Chief Executive Officer of the NUS-ISS, remarked “NUS-ISS brings deep expertise and extensive experience in empowering civil servants with the digital capabilities essential for driving public sector transformation. Through this strategic partnership, we will support the Philippine government in cultivating a strong pipeline of digital-ready leaders. Our outcome-driven training programmes and hands-on workshops will provide civil service leaders with the critical knowledge, practical tools, and forward-thinking strategies needed to accelerate innovation and embed digital excellence across government agencies for lasting impact.”

To deepen stakeholder engagement and chart the path forward, a National Digitalisation Forum will be conducted on 25 April 2025 at the CSC Auditorium of Civil Service Commission Central Office. This forum will serve as a platform for public and private sector leaders to share detailed strategies, exchange insights, and reaffirm their commitment to the initiative. This by-invitation forum will include key attendees from public agencies driving digital transformation, private sector partners aligned with the MOA, and potential trainers from both government institutions and academia who will be instrumental in scaling the programme nationally.