The Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) paid a benchmarking visit to the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) on May 25, 2023.
PIDS Vice President Marife M. Ballesteros, Research Information Department Manager Sheila V. Siar, Administrative and Finance Department Manager Jamie-lyn D. Jamias-Garcia, and Research Program Management Division Chief Christine Ruth Salazar welcomed the BPDA delegation led by Director General Mohajirin T. Ali.
BPDA is the counterpart of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). This visit was part of the BPDA's benchmarking activities with NEDA and its attached agencies.
"With the support of PIDS and guided by research, we are confident that we can contribute positively to the reduction of poverty in BARMM," Ali said.
The BPDA sought to identify the state think tank's best practices in policy research and analysis, capacity building and knowledge management, and strengthening evidence-based policymaking.
Ballesteros oriented the delegates about PIDS’ mandate and its experience in promoting research in formulating national plans and policies. “Since its inception, PIDS has focused on conducting policy-oriented research to provide policymakers with the information they need to develop evidence-based policies, plans, and programs," she said.
She stressed the importance of development research in elevating the public discourse on national development and guiding the policies and initiatives for reform in the right direction.
Meanwhile, Salazar discussed the policy research production process of PIDS, while Siar discussed how the Institute’s policy studies are disseminated through different knowledge products and platforms to promote their uptake and utilization, especially by policymakers.
View photos from the visit here. ###
