Manila: The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) has committed to enhancing its monitoring and evaluation (M and E) roles to ensure that government policies and programs effectively uplift the lives of Filipinos. This announcement was made by DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan during the 12th M and E Network Forum.
According to Philippines News Agency, Balisacan emphasized that progress should not be solely gauged by economic growth figures but by the extent to which government actions alleviate the challenges faced by ordinary citizens. He underscored the significance of M and E in assessing the government's commitments, resource utilization, and the tangible benefits delivered to the populace.
The forum highlighted the critical need to integrate M and E within government planning, budgeting, and implementation processes. The recent enactment of Republic Act No. 12145, known as the Economy, Planning and Development Act, bolsters DEPDev's authority for evidence-based policymaking.
Discussions at the forum, which included plenary and breakout sessions, focused on utilizing M and E to direct budget and planning decisions under the new law. These discussions also aimed to ensure that evaluation findings lead to improved government programs and policies, bridge data and decision-making gaps, elevate citizen voices through civil society's use of evidence, and institutionalize M and E at various project and program levels to reinforce accountability.
Balisacan highlighted the forum's significance in translating the President's mandate into actionable outcomes, ensuring that growth and public expenditures yield measurable results and tangible benefits for all citizens.
DEPDev is actively engaged in various M and E initiatives with development partners across key growth sectors such as agriculture, labor, health, and social protection. Additionally, capacity-building efforts are being extended to regions, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, to broaden the nationwide pool of evaluators.
The forum discussions also stressed the urgency of prioritizing limited resources to maximize impact, especially as the country approaches the midpoint of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and progresses towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Balisacan concluded, "Together, let us make M and E in the Philippines not just a compliance tool, but a genuine driver of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development."