HE Dr. Benjamin P. Reyes assumed office in Colombo as the 8th Secretary General of the Colombo Plan on 3rd May 2022.
Dr. Reyes has had a long and varied career in public service as a Career Executive Service (CES) of the Government of Philippines for more than 24 years with significant experience and contribution in policy development, strategic formulation and program management fostering cooperation with various organizations. He has also held high profile positions such as Permanent Member and Undersecretary of the Dangerous Drug Board of the Philippines. He has also served in the position of Commissioner representing the Philippines for the Global Center for Credentialing and Certification (GCCC), the Credentialing Arm of the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Program.
Dr. Reyes has graduated from the University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry in 1994 as Doctor of Dental Medicine. He has a Master’s degree in Public Health- Biostatistics and Epidemiology Tracking awarded by University of the Philippines in the year 1998. Further, he holds a Master’s degree (Dean’s List) in Development Management awarded by Asian Institute of Management in the year 2010.
As the Secretary General, Dr. Benjamin P. Reyes, has a vision during his tenure for the next four years to transform the Organization to “An efficient and more responsive Colombo Plan to champion change and development” and to implement mechanisms that would oversee the effective administration, implementation and promote sustainable development goals for the following four programs of the Colombo Plan:
He is also of the opinion that the pandemic has hurt the economies of most member countries worldwide and that the Colombo Plan must extend efforts to minimize impact and support initiatives to develop resilience of affected member countries.
He believes in motivating people towards achieving organizational goals and giving emphasis and importance to values such as commitment, integrity, and competence. He believes leading by example should be the norm and common to successful organizations is the presence of leaders who inspire people and execute sound management.
As the 8th Secretary General, he is looking forward to sharing these efforts with every member state of the Colombo Plan family and extending his assurances to support for the organizational goals at all levels. He firmly believes that an efficient and well-managed organization will definitely draw donor and beneficiary support and satisfaction.