16 December 2024, Pasay City, Philippines – The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) reaffirmed its significant role in advancing Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) practices in government during the 11th M&E Network Forum, held at The Heritage Hotel Manila. Hosted by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the forum brought together leaders from government, development organizations, and the private sector to share insights on the current landscape of M&E in the Philippines.
Represented by its President and CEO, Majah-Leah V. Ravago, PhD, DAP actively contributed to the discussions on integrating and institutionalizing M&E in government programs and policies. During the breakout session titled “Capacitating, Institutionalizing, and Championing M&E – Capacitating M&E in Government,” Dr. Ravago presented “The Landscape of Capacity Development Opportunities for M&E Practitioners.”
In her presentation, Dr. Ravago underscored the importance of M&E as a transformative tool for fostering accountability, transparency, and evidence-based decision-making. She highlighted DAP’s critical contributions through its capability-building programs and training courses, which empower government institutions to integrate M&E processes into their operations. Dr. Ravago also emphasized how these initiatives align with the country’s development goals, particularly those outlined in Ambisyon Natin 2040 and the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023–2028.
This year’s forum, themed “Closing the Loop: Towards M&E Evidence-Based PDP Midterm Updating,” focused on leveraging inclusive and evidence-based policies to track and advance the progress of the PDP. It provided a premier platform for M&E practitioners to strategize, share best practices, and forge partnerships aimed at achieving effective governance and sustainable development.
NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, who delivered the keynote address, highlighted the vital role of M&E mechanisms in informing policy formulation and decision-making processes. He stressed that effective M&E ensures government programs and policies are impactful and responsive to the needs of the people they are designed to serve.
Dr. Ravago was joined by other esteemed speakers during her session, including Dr. Josefina V. Almeda, Executive Director of the Philippine Statistical Research Institute; Mr. Ronald Santos, Technical Adviser at Alinea International; and Mr. Fernando M. Porio, Director IV of the Civil Service Institute, who served as reactors. The session was moderated by Ms. Vivien Suerte, Institutions & Partnerships Team Leader at UNDP Philippines.
Jointly supported by NEDA, the Australian Government in the Philippines, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines, the M&E Network Forum has been the country’s premier event for M&E practitioners since its inception in 2011. It continues to be a vital platform for fostering collaboration and showcasing innovations in M&E across sectors.
Through its active participation, DAP reaffirms its unwavering commitment to enhancing the M&E landscape in the Philippines. By championing evidence-based practices, DAP empowers government institutions to achieve meaningful, responsive, and impactful results that contribute to the nation’s development aspirations.