QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) took another step toward strengthening data-driven governance by enhancing the data analytics and visualization capabilities of its workforce through a five-day training on Microsoft Power BI held from August 3 to 7, 2026.
Organized by the CDA’s Information and Communication Technology Division (ICTD) in partnership with the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute (PSRTI), the training carried the theme, “Interactive Dashboards: Transforming Data into Dynamic Insights Using MS Power BI.”
The activity brought together CDA personnel from various divisions and Regional Extension Offices who are engaged in data collection, management, processing, analysis, and reporting. PSRTI’s training design and execution provided participants with practical knowledge and hands-on skills in transforming raw and complex datasets into interactive dashboards and meaningful visualizations. PSRTI provided a conducive training room and laptops for the participants, already installed with the required software and online access.
More than simply presenting data, the training emphasized how information can be transformed into actionable insights. Through Microsoft Power BI, a sophisticated data analytics software, participants learned approaches to organizing, analyzing, and presenting data in a more efficient, accessible, and visually engaging manner, capabilities that can support the CDA’s planning, monitoring, reporting, and decision-making processes.
During the activity, the PSRTI Training Division Head, Ms. Maria Praxedes “Pinky” Peña, expressed appreciation for the CDA’s initiative to invest in the continuous professional development of its personnel through capability-building programs.
She emphasized that the training reflects the Authority’s recognition of the importance of equipping its workforce with relevant and emerging technical competencies, particularly as government institutions increasingly rely on data to improve public sector management and service delivery.
The training was likewise graced by CDA Chairman Undersecretary Alexander Raquepo. He shared that the value of the training lies in its potential to translate technical skills into practical tools that address the information and monitoring needs of the Authority.
He noted that the knowledge gained by the participants could contribute to the development of dashboards that provide management with timely, organized, and accessible information, ultimately supporting more informed and responsive decision-making.
During the closing rites, ICTD Chief Mario Tuscan Naz viewed the successful completion of the training as an important milestone in building a stronger data culture within the CDA.
He expressed optimism that the participating divisions and Regional Extension Offices would apply their newly acquired skills to develop dashboards tailored to their respective operational requirements, enabling offices to better understand and utilize the data they generate.
Towards the end of the training, CDA personnel each created and presented dashboards in Power BI, from sample CDA data they were provided with. With more personnel capable of independently developing and managing data visualizations, the CDA envisions a more integrated and efficient approach to data management across the organization.
Interactive dashboards can help make critical information easier to access and interpret, facilitate the monitoring of programs and activities, and enable offices to identify trends, patterns, and insights that can guide operational and strategic decisions.
Ultimately, the goal is not simply to create visually appealing dashboards, but to make data work for the organization, turning information into knowledge and knowledge into better decisions.
The Power BI training forms part of the CDA’s continuing commitment to digital transformation, personnel development, and evidence-based governance. By empowering its people to harness data more effectively, the Authority strengthens its capacity to become a more responsive, efficient, and data-driven institution, one that is better equipped to advance cooperative development nationwide.
Through stronger data capabilities, the CDA moves closer to a future where better information leads to better decisions, better services, and stronger cooperatives.
