MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority – Investment Programming Group (NEDA-IPG), through its Central Evaluation Unit (CEU), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines, has successfully concluded the first phase of the CY 2024 Capacity Development Program on Impact Evaluation.

The program is designed to fortify local expertise on impact evaluation across diverse regions and foster the creation of evidence-based evaluation studies that are crucial for the effective implementation and updating of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. Phase 1, comprising a comprehensive 10-day training session, took place from April 22 to May 3.

Roderick M. Planta, NEDA Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Development, emphasized the pivotal role of the training in equipping participants with essential skills to conduct impactful evaluations within their respective domains. “Through this initiative,” he stated, “we hope to equip participants with the necessary tools to navigate the intricacies of impact evaluation and emerge as proficient evaluators capable of effecting tangible change in the development process.”

Vivien E. Suerte-Cortez, UNDP Philippines Team Leader for Institutions and Partnerships, reaffirmed the UNDP’s commitment as a government partner, emphasizing evidence-based approaches and results-driven practices in development planning, implementation, and monitoring. “Evaluation fosters greater accountability and facilitates learning from past experiences,” she noted. UNDP Philippines reiterated its commitment to support capacity-building efforts to foster robust monitoring and evaluation systems not only at the national level but also within sub-national levels.

Phase 2 of the capacity development program will focus on practical application through the actual conduct of impact evaluation. Field experts engaged under the NEDA-UNDP Strategic M&E Project (SMEP) and the NEDA Impact Evaluation Study Review Board (NIESRB) will provide invaluable guidance and feedback as the evaluation teams conduct and refine their studies.

The impact evaluation studies, scheduled for completion by December 2024, are poised to yield critical insights. These findings will take center stage during the 11th Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Network Forum, where evidence-based practices and transformative solutions will be shared.

Joseph J. Capuno, NEDA Undersecretary for Investment Programming, expressed gratitude to the guest lecturers from the University of the Philippines (UP), De La Salle University (DLSU), Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), and Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) for their unwavering support. “Our esteemed resource persons,” he acknowledged, “have skillfully guided participants throughout this enriching learning journey.” Capuno extended congratulations to all involved, emphasizing the importance of staying focused and relishing each step of this experience.

Carlos Bernardo O. Abad Santos, NEDA Undersecretary for Regional Development, reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering commitment to enhancing staff capabilities through specialized courses on impact evaluation. Beyond mere comprehension of impact evaluation, he urged participants to champion evaluation within their spheres of influence. “Let us strive to integrate evaluation into the fabric of governance,” he urged, “using evidence to drive policy decisions and improve program implementation. Through our collective efforts, we can make a tangible difference in advancing the goals outlined in our development plans and ultimately in enriching the lives of all Filipinos.” 

A total of 41 representatives from NEDA Central Office and Regional Offices, Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA), and partner state universities and colleges actively participated in this transformative capacity development program.  [E]