As a prelude to the 20th Development Policy Research Month (DPRM) celebration, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) held a virtual forum on September 1, from 9:00 to 11:30 am, via Zoom. Led by PIDS, the DPRM is held every September by virtue of Malacañang Proclamation 247 to promote awareness and appreciation of the importance of policy research in the formulation of evidence-based policies, programs, and projects. Each year, a theme is chosen, and activities are held to encourage informed dialogue and discussion of key issues related to the theme.
This year’s theme is #CloseTheGap: Accelerate Post-pandemic Recovery through Social Justice”, or in Filipino, “#AlisinAngAgwat: Pabilisin ang Pag-ahon Mula sa Pandemya sa Pamamagitan ng Katarungang Panlipunan”. Through this theme, PIDS wish to highlight how the pandemic exacerbated existing socioeconomic disparities in the country and disproportionately affected the vulnerable and marginalized sectors of society. Hence, to make opportunities equitable, reduce socioeconomic and political inequalities, and remove cultural inequities, it is crucial to make social justice a guiding principle of the country’s post-pandemic recovery plan, particularly in the areas of human capital development and social protection, public health services and infrastructure, and environmental resilience.
Further details about the DPRM and this year’s theme and activities may be accessed from the DPRM website at https://dprm.pids.gov.ph/.
The Speakers/panelists include Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon of the National Economic and Development Authority, Assistant Secretary Romeo Balanquit of the Department of Budget and Management, Officer-in Charge Patrick Patriwirawan Jr. of the DOLE-Bureau of Local Employment, Director-General Romulo Miral Jr. of the HOR-Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, PIDS President Aniceto Orbeta Jr., and members of the PIDS Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC) 2022 Scientific Committee.