MANILA, (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) is collaborating with the House of Representatives to review the Philippines' Local Government Code, with a focus on identifying areas for legislative reform.

“We aim to emphasize the importance of evidence-based policies and the pivotal role of the NRCP as a policy advisor to the government,” said NRCP President Leslie Michelle Dalmacio.

A recent policy forum brought together over 240 legislators and staff to discuss the research findings. Dr. Alex Brillantes, Jr. presented a key study titled "A Review of the State of Local Governance in the Philippines after Three Decades 1991 to 2021: Issues and Directions for Legislative Reform."

The research identified several policy gaps in the current Local Government Code, which was enacted in 1991. These include:

• Reliance on outdated data for government programs.
  
• Lack of a centralized system to keep local government units (LGUs) informed about legal changes.
  
• Absence of standardized monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices for government programs.
  
• Local Government Code not fully addressing the current needs and priorities of LGUs.
  
• Need for further study on the ramifications of the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling, a 2018 Supreme Court decision that expanded the revenue base LGUs receive from national taxes.
  

Participants from the House committees on Good Government and Public Accountability, Local Government, Public Accounts, Sustainable Development Goals, and others, contributed recommendations during breakout sessions.

These recommendations focus on improving legislative processes and data utilization, including:

• Implementing M&E systems within each House committee.
  
• Creating a digital compendium of amendments to existing laws.
  
• Studying the full cost implications of potential new spending mandates for LGUs.
  
• Compiling House resolutions on critical issues requiring immediate action.
  
• Conducting capacity-building activities for legislators and staff on data literacy.
  

Also, NRCP Chair of Networking and Linkages Gisela Concepcion urged the house participants to have a stronger confidence in NRCP.

“Magkaroon pa ng mas malakas na tiwala sa NRCP,” said Concepcion. (Have even stronger confidence in NRCP.)

“Following the house members’ support to science-based legislation, and their recognition of the role of NRCP as a policy advisory body, NRCP will continue to provide experts and projects for future policy research endeavors of solons,” said Dr. Geraldo S. Petilla, Chief of Finance and Administrative Division and NRCP’s Networking and Linkages Committee Member.

Meanwhile, Dr. Romulo Emmanuel M. Miral, Jr. of the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) presented on institutionalizing monitoring and evaluation as a focus in policy research, while Dr. Clarita R. Carlos, NRCP membership Division of Social Sciences tackled converting policy research into public policy. 

The DOST-NRCP hopes this collaboration will lead to sound policymaking that benefits Filipinos. House representatives expressed their support for science-based legislation and the NRCP's role as a policy advisory body.

The NRCP intends to continue providing expert resources and conducting research to support future legislative endeavors. (PIA-NCR)