Name : Engr. Catherine E.

Joaquin
Student No.: 2021-62178
Professor: Prof. Gabriel Ma. J. Lopez, PhD, EnP

Reflection Paper to the Subject:

PUBLIC POLICY AND POLICY-MAKING PROCESS

Catherine E. Joaquin

School of Government – Graduate Program

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
2022

The Public Policy and Policy-Making Process is one of the subjects in my Master of Public
Administration course in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Professor Gabby Lopez is a
prominent educator in the country, and I can say that he has successfully inspired and motivated
the students in this subject. I have learned a lot in this course and had fun doing so. At first, I
thought this subject would be extremely difficult for me. Still, Professor Gab (as we call him)
managed to make the course smooth and easy to understand while also having depth in every
discussion given. I enjoyed all of the topics under this subject, but a few stood out for me.

One of the activities that gave me a greater appreciation for myself and the subject was the
first one provided, the Self Mastery Activity. Because it gave me the proper foundation for policy
writing. My knowledge of policy-making was only obtained through time and experience since
my job required me to do so. I was crafting policies for 11 years from the DOH and now here at
the DENR without having formal education about policy-making or talent in writing because I am
an Engineer. However, through this subject, I could appreciate my work even more as I was able
to connect my learnings in this course with the actual work I’ve already done. Not only that, but I
was also able to validate that the policies I’ve crafted in the past were structured appropriately and
why they should be written that way.

Another topic I enjoyed was Decision Making and Problem Solving and its 8 steps in
rational decision making that evaluated the options and alternatives to consider in resolving the
problem or taking advantage of the opportunities through introducing G. Lopez’s FAST, FIRST,
and FASTEST criteria. This specific discussion broadened my knowledge and skill in effective
decision-making that will help me in my work.

The last topic I enjoyed the most was Complete Staff Work (CSW) because he was able to
provide a complete spectrum of CSW. From the CSW overview, its historical background,
outline/format, reporting and submission, sample templates, and many others, including risk
management. I find all the topics very helpful for me personally. I can apply all the things I learned
as they are essential for me. My line of work requires us to prepare a CSW not only for policy
formulation but also for the project and program proposal process in our Bureau.
Name : Engr. Catherine E. Joaquin
Student No.: 2021-62178
Professor: Prof. Gabriel Ma. J. Lopez, PhD, EnP

There still seems to be a disconnect between what literature says about effective public
policy and actual public policies passed. Despite several available resources on its strategy,
methodology, and techniques in problem analysis and decision-making, there is still an immense
disappointment in the lack of the application of the body of research on public administration in
the process of public policy formulation. I realized that many public administration areas still need
careful study, analysis, and evaluation.

Historical background, problems, and evidence, as emphasized by Prof. Gab in his

discussion and activities, shapes the alternative options available during the policy formulation.
Therefore, there is a need to articulate this so that the policy maker will have a broader perspective
on relevant issues, information, interests, etc., at stake that will influence their interpretation and
ideas that will govern in evaluating the quality of governance in the country.