BANGKOK, 15 MARCH 2024 - As part of the Foreign Study Mission on Local Governance and Innovation for Economic Development, the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and participants in the Adaptive Governance and Innovation for Local Executives (AGILE) Program met with Ambassador Millicent Cruz Paredes at the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok on March 11, 2024.

The meeting focused on a discussion on some of the key elements in Thailand’s current socio-economic development and strategic policies that could provide local government executives with valuable insights, inspiration and practical solutions for the implementation of their respective programs and policies.

Ambassador Paredes underscored to the LGU executives that this study mission in Thailand should serve as a good starting point for understanding the success of local governance in Thailand, citing that there are abundant practical examples and models which they can readily replicate or adapt for integration in their current or future programs and initiatives.

The dialogue between AGILE participants and the Ambassador highlighted the different challenges confronting LGU executives in effectively developing and executing their plans and programs. The challenges, which are diverse in nature, include budgetary constraints, political and legal intricacies, competing priorities, and peace and order concerns.

Despite the enormous challenges, AGILE participants expressed their commitment to continue working and leading their communities toward socio-economic development and improved living conditions for their constituents.

In partnership with the Thailand Productivity Institute, DAP’s AGILE study mission offers LGU participants a firsthand experience to learn and witness the best practices and development models implemented in neighboring countries, such as Thailand. END.