The 23rd Development Policy Research Month (DPRM) will launch its first-ever regional kickoff in Baguio City on August 20, bringing together local media, policymakers, local government leaders, academics, and civil society organizations to discuss how policies on artificial intelligence (AI) can be harnessed for ethical and inclusive governance.
Held every September under Presidential Proclamation No. 247 (2002), the DPRM promotes evidence-based policymaking through the dissemination of research, policy dialogues, and public engagement.
This year’s theme, “Reimagining Governance in the Age of AI” (Muling Pagpapakahulugan sa Pamamahala sa Panahon ng AI), aligns with the 2025 Annual Public Policy Conference theme, underscoring the role of policy research in guiding AI’s integration into governance.
The Baguio kickoff will spotlight how AI—when guided by rigorous, locally relevant research—can help governments plan smarter, act faster, and serve communities more fairly.
Sessions will explore practical cases, such as smart city development, AI in agriculture, and AI-driven innovations in education.
Organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), in partnership with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development–Cordillera Administrative Region (DEPDev-CAR) and the Philippine Information Agency–Cordillera Administrative Region (PIA-CAR), the event will examine how AI policies can be localized to fit cultural contexts, respect indigenous knowledge, and address geographic and institutional realities.
Through this year’s regional kickoff, PIDS aims to bring policy research closer to communities, fostering public awareness and multi-sectoral collaboration to ensure AI strengthens transparency, efficiency, and inclusion.
More details about DPRM 2025 activities are available at https://dprm.pids.gov.ph/. – MAEC
