CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — Policymakers, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) practitioners, researchers, development experts, and community leaders from across the Visayas and Mindanao regions gathered at the Limketkai Luxe Hotel on December 3, 2024, for the inaugural Visayas-Mindanao M&E Network Forum.
With the theme “Closing the Loop: Towards Evidence-Based Philippine/Regional Development Plan (P/RDP) Midterm Updating,” the forum emphasized the pivotal role of M&E in crafting effective policies and programs that align with national and regional development goals.
Organized by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-X in partnership with the NEDA Central Evaluation Unit and the United Nations Development Programme, the event featured plenary sessions, thematic breakout discussions, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen the M&E ecosystem in the Philippines.
In his opening remarks, NEDA Regional Development Group Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo O. Abad Santos, Chairperson of the National Project Monitoring Committee, called for intensified data-driven decision-making across all sectors, emphasizing the importance of applying insights gained through M&E.
“‘Closing the loop’ means ensuring that the data and insights generated through M&E are actively applied to refine policies and programs. By doing so, we move beyond collecting data to creating tangible, positive change that benefits our communities,” Abad Santos explained.
The morning plenary session and open forum provided a comprehensive overview of the M&E landscape in the Visayas, Mindanao, and Bangsamoro regions. In the afternoon, breakout sessions featured presentations highlighting the application of M&E for evidence-based policymaking and fostering partnerships between practitioners and policymakers. The afternoon plenary session featured the National Evaluation Policy Framework and the 2023 Revised Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation System Operational Guidelines, focusing on ways to strengthen M&E systems.
In his closing message, NEDA Investment Programming Group Undersecretary Joseph J. Capuno emphasized that the forum’s key achievement was providing an opportunity to reflect on the vital role of M&E in driving regional development.
“It is crucial to acknowledge that each region operates under unique circumstances, shaped by its distinct challenges and priorities. The localized perspectives shared today have been invaluable in deepening our understanding of how evidence-based approaches can be tailored to address regional needs effectively. As we embrace these insights, I am confident that we will continue to break new ground in advancing M&E practices across the nation,” Capuno remarked.
The forum concluded with a networking activity and fellowship dinner, fostering further collaboration and exchanges among participants. Attendees expressed optimism about future partnerships, noting the forum’s success in strengthening M&E networks across the Visayas and Mindanao regions. (NEDA-X/PIA-10)
