Nearly five decades after its creation in 1977, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) is set to mark its 50th anniversary in 2027, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s declaration of the year as the PIDS Golden Jubilee Year.
The declaration coincided with PIDS’ soft launch of its 50th-anniversary theme, “PIDS@50: Shaping Policies for a Better Future,” during its 49th-anniversary celebration on September 24.
Proclamation No. 1448, signed by President Marcos Jr. on September 18, recognizes PIDS’ contributions over five decades to evidence-based policymaking, socioeconomic planning, policy evaluation, and research dissemination.
It calls on national government agencies to support the anniversary activities and encourages local governments, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to participate.
Under Presidential Decree No. 1201, PIDS was created to develop a comprehensive and integrated research program in support of national development plans and policies; serve as a link between government and research institutions; undertake and facilitate research for the government; and maintain a repository of economic research information.
PIDS founding father Dr. Gerardo P. Sicat delivered an inspirational message, reflecting on the vision that shaped the Institute at its founding.
“From the very beginning, I saw the PIDS as a possible research body that would be helpful in creating good reforms for the economy, good policies for the Philippine economy, so that in the end we will all have children who will enjoy a better life later on,” Sicat said.
For Sicat, the Institute’s longevity is not the accomplishment of its founders alone but the result of successive generations carrying its mission forward.
“PIDS' success has a lot of fathers,” Sicat said. “Success is a continuum, undertaken by people who carry the story through.”
He recalled that the Institute’s early operating principles included building a strong research staff and developing a network of development scholars and institutions.
The approach was deliberate, with PIDS building its research capacity gradually while establishing its place in the country’s policy research community.
“Start carefully, and do it slowly but carefully and surely — is the essence,” he said.
The 50th anniversary celebration will continue throughout 2027, with more activities and programs to be announced in the coming months.
The public is encouraged to follow, like, and subscribe to PIDS’ official social media channels for announcements and updates on the golden jubilee activities.
PIDS will celebrate its 50th anniversary on September 26, 2027. ### — MTQ
