The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) conducted the online Property Officers’ Course (POC) from 14 to 25 August 2023, and participated in by 30 personnel of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The POC is designed for DFA personnel assigned and/or identified to assume the duties and responsibilities of a Property Officer in the Home Office or at Foreign Service Posts. It aims to familiarize and equip the Property Officers with the general rules and regulations, along with the peculiarities of the government property and supply management system and procurement procedures.

The POC’s Resource Persons introduced the participants to the structure of the Office of Assets Management and Support Services and the functions and responsibilities of a Property Officer in the Home Office and at Posts; discussed the key provisions of regulations on procurement, and explained the different control measures, systems, and operations in place, particularly the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS).

The Course also employed live and interactive question-and-answer between the Resource Persons and Course participants.

A Property Officer’s role is to manage, oversee, account for, and maintain government properties (movable and immovable), equipment, and supplies. Aside from the ability to understand, control, and perform complex procedures, he or she is expected to preserve the value of assets that belong to the government by reporting and coordinating with concerned officers and personnel on the repair, maintenance, and disposal of properties.