The participants of the “Course on Research Tools for Policymaking: Data Analytics” are shown with resource person Ms. Karis Fonte of the DSWD (front row, fifth from left) and DAP-CFG Policy Research Office Director Gilbert Lumantao (front row, fourth from right) at the DAP Building in Pasig City.

Some 40 participants from various government agencies and private institutions successfully hurdled a five-day training on the “Course on Research Tools for Policymaking: Data Analytics” conducted by the Development Academy of the Philippines’ Center for Governance (DAP-CFG) last September 16-20 at the DAP Building in Pasig City.

The training aimed to equip the participants with skills and knowledge in research, with emphasis on data science as an essential tool for informed decision-making. It also featured relevant tools and strategies on how to utilize these in developing policies, programs, and projects of the respective agencies/institutions.

The experts who shared their knowledge and insights for the course were: Mr. Francis Joseph Dee, Prof. Ma. Ela Atienza, and Atty. Rogelio Alicor Panao from the Political Science Department of University of the Philippines-Diliman; Mr. Dave Pipon and Ms. Glo Ann Pauline Guevarra from the Asian Development Bank; and Ms. Karis Vehnel Fonte from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The course participants came from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Provincial Government of La Union, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, National Police Commission, Local Government Unit of Narra, Department of Trade and Industry– Bureau of Import Services, Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council, Ifugao State University, Cristal E-College, Office of the President-Presidential Management Staff, Philippine Coast Guard, Environmental Management Bureau, National Maritime Polytechnic, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform-BARMM, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, and the Bureau of Fire Protection.